A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE: Elaina Conklin & Edward Taunton

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH HART

Elaina walked slowly down the narrow wooden walkway leading to one of the winding creeks that branch off the Chipola River in Wewahitchka, the small town where her husband-to-be, Edward Taunton, grew up. Her wedding ceremony would take place in just a few hours. It would be the first time Edward would see her in her wedding dress, a dreamy vintage-inspired gown in delicate lace. Elaina smiled when she caught a first glimpse of her husband-to-be, standing on the wooden deck, surrounded by large cypress trees, waiting for her with squared shoulders.

The scene looked like a fairy tale. The cypress trees that are so typical for the landscape around the creeks and rivers in Northwest Florida, stood like sentinels—silently, protectively. The sun’s rays found their way through the dense foliage and illuminated Elaina’s face. Edward turned to look at her. He smiled his warmest smile and love-filled his eyes. It felt as if time stood still. The bride and groom could not take their eyes off each other.

The ceremony would be held in just a few hours with several hundred family members and friends in attendance, gathering at the edge of the freshwater lake adjacent to the Taunton family home.

Always say ‘I love you’ even if you think you said it too many times.

The day was how they imagined it to be. All the people they loved and cherished were there and among them, dozens of children and young adults that Eddie calls family. The Taunton home is a place of love and refuge for children. Here is where Edward and his twin brother William were raised by their loving adoptive parents Abigail and David Taunton. The twins grew up with eight siblings and, throughout the years, hundreds of other children who had found refuge here—some remaining for just a few days, others growing up to young adults at the home. More than 300 children and counting have been raised in the children’s home since his parents, Abigail and David, first started it in 1978.

Edward, who goes by Eddie for all his friends, recalls many memorable moments as he and his brother grew up and kept everyone at the home entertained and on their toes. Today, Elaina is the center of all his love and attention.

Panama City Beach native Elaina explains that she met Billy through mutual friends. “After talking us both into it, our friends introduced us,” she remembers. She had graduated the year before from Flagler College and worked at a local bank at the time. That year marked Edward’s 12th anniversary of working as a manager with a local beach management company. “After meeting, we went on our first date to the St. Andrews Farmers’ Market and we immediately fit perfectly into each other’s lives,” Elaina recalls with a smile. Eddie did not wait long to introduce the girl of his dreams to his parents by taking her to the Taunton Family Festival, an event that takes place annually on the second Saturday of May. “We come from very different backgrounds but work so perfectly together. We are both very close with our families and would not be the people we are without them,” the young couple states. They explain that they continue to keep God at the center of their relationship and know through his love they will continue to grow closer and will even fall more in love every day.

Their wedding venue is very special to both of them. “We chose to get married on the Taunton family property in front of the freshwater lake because it is perfect not only because of its beauty, but also because of the sentimental value it holds,” they explain. As Edward grew up he saw the transformation of the Taunton Family Children’s Home. When he was just a baby there was just one single home with 20 foster children. Through the years, his parents kept adding more facilities and amenities and there are now three homes with more than 30 children. The property also holds church camps throughout the summer. The lake is just behind his parents’ home and is often a place of worship, volleyball tournaments, and fun obstacles courses for the children. The groom and groomsmen stayed the night and got ready in the Homer House which is where many church camp guests stay.

The bride and bridesmaids stayed the night and got ready in the Steve Watkins Memorial Home, which is used as a guest home. “Life has been wonderful since becoming husband and wife,” they say. And they are happy to share their experiences with others in the hope that it will provide good advice. “Always have an open line of communication and honesty,” Eddie says. “Always be honest and supportive, always say ‘I love you’ even if you think you said it too many times,” says Elaina.

The young couple thanks both of their families and friends for everything they did to make their day special and perfect. “Everyone was so hands-on in planning, especially our mothers,” they remark with gratitude. After the emotion-filled ceremony, the bridal party traveled to one of Panama City Beach’s great restaurant’s, the Grand Marlin, where they had reserved the entire second floor for the reception. “We loved this venue for so many reasons, but most of all, we loved the gorgeous view of the sunset while we all socialized and ate dinner,” they explain. The cake was yet another highlight of their big day. It was homemade by Edward’s aunt Miriam Martzolf—a delicious pound cake with mixed berries and whipped cream. “She spent so much time crystalizing sugar on the berries to give them a pretty sparkle and we could not have dreamed of a prettier and more perfect cake,” the couple says.

As their wedding turned out so harmonious, they can assure other couples that in the end, even if it might look differently, it will all come together. “Try stepping away from the Pinterest board and instead, look at your own styles and implement them into your special day,” Elaina advises. “Don’t worry so much about what everyone else will want and instead, find out what you both want as a couple. Your wedding should reflect you both and that means you being the most comfortable in that setting.”

 

Wedding

[box type=”shadow” align=”alignleft” ]PARENTS OF THE BRIDE Robyn Conklin and Tommy Conklin
PARENTS OF THE GROOM Abigail Taunton and David Taunton
OFFICIANT Chris Wade
MAID OF HONOR Elizabeth Bledsoe
BRIDESMAIDS Emma Plash, Ashley Leb, Savannah Schaler, Audrina Brymer, and Kendall Beiswanger
BEST MAN Billy Taunton
GROOMSMEN Mary Taunton (sister of the groom), Josh Leb, Pete Taunton, and Ethan Register
FLOWER GIRLS Lillie Taunton and Ivy Taunton (nieces of the groom)
MUSIC BY John Wobser[/box]