Welcome to the fifth installment of our Southern Hospitality feature! Each month, we pick a Southern city and an expert host. Our host shares their favorite items custom to that city that would be perfect packed into a welcome bag for family and friends at a weekend wedding. There’s nothing like Southern hospitality, especially at a destination wedding!
If you couldn’t tell, we’ve been trying really hard lately to drive those winter blues away. From our Bright Winter Beach feature (board + palette finds) to our Lemon Squeeze Citrus feature (board + palette finds) to yesterday’s Sunny Bridesmaid Inspiration, we’ve got you covered for those cold, gray days. As for me, I’m counting down the days until my cruise to the Bahamas in March. Bring on the sunshine (and hopefully by then, the swimsuit body?)!
And the sunshine keeps coming! Today, we’re headed south to Florida’s Emerald Coast, an area stretching from Pensacola Bay to Panama City with a number of popular destination wedding locations dotted along the way. Who better to serve as our Emerald Coast expert than our friend and wonderful wedding planner, Victoria Volpone of Carillon Weddings? I hope you’ll enjoy her picks below, perfect for every fun-in-the-sun wedding!
A. Personalized Aqua Ball Cap. These are on the pricier side, so consider including them just in your bridal party’s totes. ($24.00)
B. Neon Rubber Sunglasses. Customize with your own text! ($1.22)
C. La Fresh Sunscreen SPF30 Travel Wipes. ($9.99 for 30 count)
D. Salt Water Taffy from Panama City Beach. If you’re feeling really clever, pick out flavors that match your wedding colors. ($7.00 for 7 oz)
E. Florida Citrus. A tangerine, clementine, or orange is the perfect refreshing treat. (price varies)
F. Gift certificate for coffee at Modica Market. Modica is the adorable grocer on the town square in Seaside, which some may recognize from The Truman Show! (price varies)
G. Paper Parasol. These are perfect for strolling along the beach, or shading the sun at an outdoor ceremony! ($6.95)
H. Old Navy Classic Flip-Flops. ($2.50 each if you buy 2 or more!)
I. Gummy Alligators Candy. ($6.98 for 12 packs of 2.25 oz bags)
J. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers. ($31.97 for 72 count)
K. Bike Rental Pass from Sunny Days Bikes & Kayaks. ($20.00 for single speed beach cruiser)
L. Custom Beach Wedding Stickers ($5.00 for 24 count)
We paired Victoria’s expert picks with a custom tote design from another Florida resident, Emily Ley, who grew up in Pensacola! Want one? Simply download the overlay here and take it to your local screen-printer. Thank you for the fun, bright design, Emily!
From the Emerald Coast area and have additional suggestions to add to our tote? What did you love about this area if you’ve visited before? Have a city in mind for future posts? Comment below and let us know!
Check out past totes:
Nashville
Atlanta
Austin
Richmond
Carillon Weddings is a Southern Weddings sponsor!
Please do a NC town next, even if it’s not the city I’m getting married in (Greensboro), I need some welcome bag ideas and I want to keep it specific to North Carolina.
Hi Laura! You’re in luck! We do have an NC tote in the works :) Can’t wait to share it with you!
Emily: Love the Emerald Coast Tote, and of course my friends at Modica Market! :)
This post is so great! I’m loving that monogrammed baseball hat.
I just wanted to say thanks so much for this site and the magazine! I love snuggling up in bed every night and pouring over the beautiful photos and ideas. Y’all do such a good job!
Emily
You are SO sweet, Emily! So glad we’re a part of your nightly routine!
I love the hat, too! Thanks so much, Emily! You are incredibly sweet.