The dress code for our wedding is semi-formal/cocktail attire. We would love for our guests to wear colors that complement our wedding palette, such as dark navy, sage green, dusty blue, or light blue. Please keep in mind that Florida in September will likely be warm and beachy, so breathable, comfortable fabrics are encouraged while still keeping the look polished and celebration-ready. We recommend keeping an eye on the forecast as the wedding weekend gets closer. For ladies, cocktail dresses, dressy midi or maxi dresses, jumpsuits, or elegant separates are all great options. For gentlemen, suits, sport coats, dress shirts, slacks, and ties are appropriate.
September in the Panama City Beach area brings daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 80s°F and overnight lows dropping into the low 70s°F. The Gulf water remains warm in the low 80s°F, making it ideal for swimming. September is hurricane season, so occasional tropical downpours are possible, The heavy summer rainy season begins to taper off, but you should still expect about 5 to 7 days of rainfall throughout the month, often occurring as short afternoon showers. We recommend dressing comfortably for warm weather and keeping an eye on the forecast as the wedding weekend gets closer.
The ceremony will take place outdoors, right outside the Historic Lodge. Mocktail hour and the reception will be held inside the Lodge. Water and air-conditioned seating will be available inside the Lodge throughout the day for guests who need a moment to cool off or take a break.
Camp Helen State Park is located west of Panama City Beach, south of U.S. 98, and bounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in the state. 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, Florida 32413 Phone: (850) 233-5059 Directions may be searched on your device using the address above. More information may be found on the park's website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/camp-helen-state-park
Our ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. We recommend that you arrive an hour before the start of the ceremony to make sure everyone is parked and seated on time.
The parking lot is just inside the park entrance. The Lodge is a short walk from the lot. There will be no fee for the first 25 cars through the park gate with a pass. Please grab a parking pass from us in-advance. It will be $4 per vehicle without a pass or after the first 25 cars have entered. A map may be accessed on the park's website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/camp-helen-state-park
Yes! We want you and your children to be part of our wedding day. Camp Helen is a beautiful, family-friendly park, but please keep in mind that the Lodge is a historic building and must be treated with care. We kindly ask that all children be supervised at all times. During quiet moments, such as the ceremony, vows, and toasts, we ask that parents use their best judgment. If your little one becomes noisy or fussy, please step out quietly and promptly so everyone can fully enjoy those special moments. Thank you for helping us keep the day peaceful, respectful, and enjoyable for all of our guests.
The short answer is Yes! The reception will be held inside the Historic Lodge, and the ceremony will take place outdoors just outside the Lodge. There is ramp access into the Lodge and concrete walkways outdoors. Please keep in mind that Camp Helen is a park setting, so some outdoor areas may include uneven ground, grass, sand, or natural pathways. If you or a guest will need wheelchair access or mobility assistance, please let us know in advance so we can do our best to help make your arrival and seating as comfortable as possible.
Since you’re traveling for our wedding, making the trip is a gift in itself — physical gifts are absolutely not necessary! If you do choose to browse our wedding registry, however, any items on the list can be shipped directly to our home address. We will also be driving to the wedding location, so if you do choose to bring a gift with you, we will be able to take it home with us. Most of all, we are simply grateful to have you there celebrating with us. Our wedding registry is located under the "Registry" tab at the top of our website. https://www.zola.com/wedding/bradenlovesmadison/registry