The Venue

Carillon Beach is located approximately 10 miles east of Seaside and 2 miles east of Rosemary Beach adjacent to Lake Powell. A breathtaking oceanfront setting, Carillon Beach is perfect for an elegant wedding in paradise. The community of Carillon Beach features chic shopping and dining, and there are both rental homes and condos available for guests as well as the intimate Carillon Inn. Weddings can take place either on the beach, overlooking the beautiful lake, or on a manicured lawn adjacent to the crystal-clear pool. Function rooms are available on-site for a reception to remember, and Bella Bridesmaid is located at downtown Carillon for all your bride and bridesmaid needs. Call (850) 230 9255 for Carillon Beach’s exclusive wedding coordinator. 

Eden Gardens State Park is a wedding venue unlike any other in the area. Situated approximately 25 minutes west of Panama City Beach, Eden Gardens State Park offers a charming and historical setting for your wedding. The focal point of this park is a beautifully renovated, two-story house with elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. The collection of Louis XVI furniture is the second largest in the United States.  Surrounded by moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens, the Wesley house inspires visions of hoop skirts, mint juleps and the old south. The ceremony can be held under a magnificent, old live oak tree, or in the gorgeous gardens. Call (850) 231 4214 for more details on weddings at Eden Gardens.

The Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa offers a convenient location in the heart of Panama City Beach, within the spectacular community of Bay Point. This full-service resort boasts stunning views of St. Andrew’s Bay and features 320 individually appointed guestrooms including 60 one and two bedroom golf villas. The grand ballrooms are ideal for lavish receptions, while the more intimate suites provide everything you need for a memorable gathering. The Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is home to two magnificent 18-hole golf courses, including the Niklaus design course, plus The Serenity Spa, where you and your guests can get pampered and primped prior to the ceremony. For a truly unique experience, the resort staff can arrange for you and your guest to enjoy hors d’oeuvres on a sunset sailing cruise.  Contact Lindsey Crawson, wedding coordinator, for more details at (850) 236 6094.

The Boardwalk Beach Resort also offers a central Panama City Beach location close to all of the area’s attractions, shopping and nightlife. The resort features a gulf-front gazebo, perfect for your “I do’s”. Receptions can be held on the spacious Sun Deck or Sunset Pavilion, each offering plenty of room for parties of any size and overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Accommodations include well-appointed hotel guestrooms in a tropical décor, and beautiful condo suites with extra space, perfect for families or groups. Professional planners and catering staff are available to help you plan your wedding and to give you peace of mind on your special day. Consider a sunset wedding – it doesn’t get any more romantic. Contact a wedding consultant at (850) 234 3484 for more details.

The Lady Anderson Cruise is an elegant alternative to a beach wedding. Set sail on northwest Florida’s premier dining yacht from the Captain Anderson’s Marina on Thomas Drive. The entertaining dinner dance cruises are perfect for weddings, wedding receptions, the rehearsal dinner, bridal showers and even bachelorette parties. Cruise the sparkling waters of Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico, spot playful dolphins and watch the sunset paint the sky red and gold. The Lady Anderson can host the ultimate wedding for up to 300 guests, and has over 30 years experience so you can sit back, relax, and get married in style. Call (850) 360 0510 for more details.

The Cake

Fatty Patty’s Cakes is located at 21903 Panama City Beach Parkway at Fatty Patty’s café. Cake designer Renee Schaarschmidt invites bridal couples to visit the café for a complimentary cake tasting and consultation. Bring photographs, magazine pages or hand drawn sketches to illustrate your idea of the perfect wedding cake. If you can dream it, Renee can bake it! At your consultation, Renee will discuss with you the fine details, including cake size, shape, design, budget, flavors and delivery options. You will get to sample several delicious cakes and view photographs of some of the most beautiful edible art you have ever seen. Fatty Patty’s cakes are original, exquisite and the perfect choice for your wedding. Call (850) 236 9276 for a consultation.

The Flowers

The flowers and floral arrangements set the tone and are the centerpiece of your wedding celebration. Florals by the Sea can start from the very beginning of your wedding and plan all the special details, or can simply put together the perfect bouquet or centerpiece. They can provide shimmering lights, fresh flowers and greenery, lanterns, fabric draping and candlelight, as well as specialty linens and glassware. With 20 years experience in designing weddings, Lori Fenster and Sally LaCourse focus on helping you create a wedding that will express your individuality, hopes and dreams. Call (850) 650 6687 for a consultation.

The Details

In order to get married in Panama City Beach or the surrounding area, you must first obtain a Florida marriage license. The license may be purchased at the Bay County courthouse at 300 E 4^th Street in downtown Panama City, at a cost of $93.50. Both parties must be 18 years of age or older, and both must be present to obtain the license. The marriage license will be valid for 60 days from the effective date, and Florida residents will have a 3 day waiting period. If you are not a Florida resident there is no waiting period, however you cannot apply for the license out of the state. Florida residents can take a 4 hour pre-marital course, and if both parties do so, the 3 day waiting period is waived and you will receive a discounted license fee of $61.00. You can contact the office with additional questions at (850) 747 5156.

Photo credit: Genya Garrett

On September 5th and 6th, the Boardwalk Beach Resort on Panama City Beach will host. The 2009 EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is coming to Panama City Beach. The top players from across the nation will bump, set, and spike their way through this years Labor Day Weekend tournament, and compete for $6,000 in prize money. There is also a juniors division tournament with Under 21 College, Under 18, Under 16, and Under 14 divisions.

Sponsored Event: Boardwalk Beach Resort at Royal American Beach Getaways has teamed up with the EVP Tour to host a televised beach volleyball event September 5th – 6th, 2009.

For more information on the event, please go to www.evptour.com

Boardwalk Beach Resort: Stay three or more nights, save an extra 20 percent deal. The Boardwalk Beach Resort gets the party going with weekend activities designed for the whole family, including live music, beach activities, sunset cinema beach movies, kids’ club activities, access to parasail rides and scooter and jet ski rentals. For more information, call 800-224-GULF(4853) or visit http://www.boardwalkbeachresort.com.

Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort: Starting May 23 enjoy nightly fireworks, a luau and Polynesian show, glitter tattoos for the kids and live beach music from the duo “Mary Ann and Gilligan.” Also free to all guests, the Sandpiper proudly presents Lanakilas Polynesian Revue, which will take place Sunday, May 24, as well as through the rest of the summer on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. This celebration comes complete with hula dancers and the exciting Samoan Fire Knife Dance, leis included. For more information, visit http://www.sandpiperbeacon.com.

Oaseas Resorts: Early, 1:00 p.m., check-in on Friday, May 22 for all guests. Guests and their family and friends can also get an additional day of fun with 6:00 p.m. checkout on Memorial Day Monday. For more information, call 877-808-4323 or visit http://www.oaseasresorts.com.

Hidden Dunes Condominiums: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom condominium directly on the Gulf of Mexico for $250 per night, plus tax and housekeeping fee. The regular rate is $425 per night. Condominiums are 2,300 square feet and sleep up to 10 people. Also included are a 44-square-foot balcony and two-person hot tub. For more information, call 877-377-7707 or visit http://www.hiddendunescondo.com.

Inn at Carillon Beach: $119 per night special for Memorial Day Weekend. There is a two-night minimum and a one-time administrative fee of $50 for each reservation. Carillon Beach is an exclusive modern family resort and includes basketball and tennis courts, a beach club, pools and prime dining and shopping. For more information, call 866-668-7803 or visit http://www.carillonbeachresort.com.

More on Cajun Fest:

JIMMY BUFFETT SINGS ABOUT THE SAUCE BOSS in his “I Will Play for Gumbo” song. Parrotheads are now phlocking from all over the country and are also bringing the Sauce Boss to “play’ and a’ sway’ with the gumbo” at their events. Festivals and performing arts centers throughout the US, Canada, and Europe are featuring the Sauce Boss and his gumbo. His songs “Let the Big Dog Eat” and “Great Big Fanny” appeared on the Jimmy Buffett compilation album “Margaritaville Café Late Night Menu”. NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition” have both covered the Sauce Boss. CNN and EXTRA sent film crews to New York City Sauce Boss extravaganzas in 2000, The Food Network’s series “Extreme Cuisine” visited the Sauce Boss on location in New York, and another Food Network series “Keith Famie’s Adventures” filmed a Sauce Boss show in Miami. The Sauce Boss is the only personality that’s been featured in “Living Blues”, “GQ”, AND “Gourmet Magazine.

The race consists of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and a 13.1 mile run.

Below is the event schedule

Date & Time
Saturday, May 09, 2009 @ 6:15 AM

Location
Boardwalk Beach Resort
9450 S. Thomas Drive

Fees
Individual Age Group -$210
Relay (per member) -$115

Event Schedule

Day 1
-Thursday, May 7th

12:00pm – 6:00pm
-Sports Exposition
-Registration / Packet Pick-up at the Boardwalk Beach Resort Conference Center

Day 2
-Friday, May 8th9:00am – 9:00pm
-Sports Exposition

12:00pm – 9:00pm
-Registration / Packet Pick-up at the Boardwalk Beach Resort Conference Center

3:30 – 9:30pm Bike Check-In

5:30 Pre-Race Dinner & Athlete Meeting
-Dinner will be beachside at The Boardwalk Beach Resort.
-Your choice of Pasta
- Guest Ticket: $10

Day 3
-Saturday, May 9th6:15am Race Start
-Post Race Party

6:00pm Party and dinner Spinnaker
Guest Ticket: $20.00
-Awards Ceremony