Anna Rebecca LeBlanc weds Rabis Joseph Nickson

A five-thirty afternoon wedding ceremony on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Abundant Life Assembly of God in Rayne joined in marriage Anna Rebecca LeBlanc and Rabis Joseph Nickson. The double-ring ceremony was celebrated by Rev. Cozy Gage.

The bride is the daughter of Norma J. Brown and Harold J. LeBlanc of Rayne. Her grandparents are Annie Nickson of Rayne, and the late Charlie and Rebecca LeBlanc. Anna is a 1984 graduate of Phyllis Wheatly Senior High in Houston, attended Hargest Vocational College of Houston, and is employed by First Data in Houston.

The groom is the son of Vergie Goffrey of San Diego, Calif. and the late Joseph Young of Houston. His grandmother was the late Laura Ouilegh. Rabis is a 1985 graduate of Ross Sterling Senior High in Houston and attended Alcorn University. He is employed by Total Safety in LaPorte, Texas.

Against a musical background provided by organist Jordan Blount and vocalist Ms. Charli’, guests were ushered to their seats by Deandre’ Porter and Gregory Minix, Jr., nephews of bride, and Jevon Harmon, the bride’s godson.

The church was beautifully decorated in radiant shades of purple. Church pews were accented with sheers of Victorian lilac, purple hydrangeas and rose bouquets, while beautiful decorated vases filled with blushing pink petals were noted on a personalized rhinestone aisle runner. Guests received programs on shimmering purple parchment.

Escorted by Ardis Stanley, the bride wore a stunning trumpet-style, slim-fitted gown by Essence of Australia. The strapless, fitted, criss-cross ruched bodice featured a sweetheart neckline, and detachable grosgrain ribbon sash with jeweled appliques defining the dress at its natural waist, creating a classic A-line silhouette. A trumpet skirt with train completed the look. Anna wore a fingertip veil with a double tier soutache braided trim with a crystal rhinestone comb along with matching accessories. She carried a three-tier floral bouquet of cascading ivory roses with a touch of purple and silver wrapped in silver ribbon and accented with silver sequins and rhinestones.

Attending the bride as her maid of honor was her sister, Kaylin LeBlanc. Matron of honor was another sister, Karen Minix.

Bridesmaids were Catina LeBlanc, Keisha LeBlanc and Jana Grant, sisters of the bride, and Willie Mae Guidry of El Paso, Texas and Rose Porter of Houston.     

Bridal attendants each wore an elegant signature chiffon gown designed with a twisted waistband and wide ruched shoulder straps in the color of geranium or purple. Each carried a bouquet of ivory roses accented with a hint of blush pink with sequins.

Serving as flower girls were Alayia Campbell, niece of bride, and Ayanna LeBlanc, great niece of bride. The little princesses wore a purple and lavender ankle length TuTu dress synched under the bosom with a purple satin belt, embellished with a purple and lavender flowers.

The miniature bride was Se’Myah Hebert, great niece of bride. She wore an ivory dress of tulle attached with a  broach made in the style of a bow, in addition to a crystal tiara to accent the dress.

Attending the groom as best man was Lloyd Nickson, uncle of groom. Groomsmen were Raymond Sam, Cordera Bercier, Darrius Bonnom, Vincent Bonnom, Edward Nickson, III and Gregory Minix, Sr. Ring bearer was Kaden Dorsey, cousin of bride. Attire for male attendants was provided by Allure Men by Jean Yves including a heather gray tuzedo with purple bow tie and light purple shirts.

Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds were honored during a reception with dinner and dancing at the Rayne Civic Center. The hall followed the wedding color theme as beautifully decorated table linens and chair covers were in ivory with purple satin accents. Each table was centered with purple or white kissing balls on platinum silver candlelabras. The couple’s sweetheart and cake table were decorated with a Rosetta table linen, setting the evening for a romantic wedding reception.

Hostesses for the reception were ShaKayla LeBlanc, Shellie Bonnom, Christin Cormier and Chelsea Cormier.

The bride’s cake was a breathtaking, four-tier confection decorated with antique white buttercream icing and accented with distinct draping design found at the front corners. The middle two tiers of the cake were wrapped with rhinestones and glam ribbon and completed with a faux diamond broach and silver edible pearls. The top tier featured buttercream roses with a diamond accented initial cake topper. The bottom tier was a vanilla almond cake with fresh pineapple filling, middle tier was red velvet with cream cheese filling, the third tier was a vanilla almond batter with amaretto cream cheese filling with toasted almonds, and the top tier was a vanilla almond cake with champagne buttercream filling.

The groom’s cake was a chocolate fudge batter with chocolate buttercream filling carved in the shape of an antique cigar box with the lid partially opened. The cigar box was covered in wood grain fondant and accented with Swisher cigars.

Following a wedding trip to New Orleans, the couple will reside in Houston.

Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was held Friday, Sept. 5, at the Northside Community Center in Rayne hosted by family members.