Marci Elizabeth Doucet weds David Kavanagh McGovern

Marci Elizabeth Doucet of New York, New York, formerly of Rayne, became Mrs. David Kavanagh McGovern during a three-thirty afternoon wedding ceremony held Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church on the Island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the couple met while studying abroad. 

The ceremony was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Abraham. Scriptures were read by bridesmaids, groomsmen, and Megan Stryker, friend of the couple.

The bride is the daughter of Malcolm and Margaret Doucet of Rayne. Her grandparents are Dorothy O. Leger, the late William “Fats” Leger, and the late Eby and Lillian Doucet, all of Rayne. She is a 2002 graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley, attained a bachelor’s degree in 2006 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and in 2009 graduated from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans attaining a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. She is employed as a pediatric dental hygienist in New York City.

The groom is the son of Stephen and Erin McGovern on Cranston, Rhode Island. His grandparents are Steven Kavanagh, the late Carolyn Kavanagh, and the late John and Helen McGovern, all of Cranston, Rhode Island. He is a 1999 graduate of Cranston High School East in Cranston, Rhode Island, a 2004 psychology graduate from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and is employed as a sommelier at Le Bernardin in New York City.

Against a musical background provided by Leah Aronin, guests were ushered to their seats by Lance Racca and Matt McGuffee.

On the arm of her father, the bride emerged before guests wearing an elegant wedding gown featuring intricate, hand-beaded gossamer netting on a fitted bodice designed with a bateau illusion neckline. Flowing sheer panels of gossamer netting covered a silk skirt and pearl button closures completed the back. Its light and airy nature was perfect for the Caribbean setting. A cathedral-length veil trimmed in lace was of special significance as it was worn by her mother on her wedding day. 

Marci carried a hand-tied bridal bouquet of ivory and peach Tiffany roses, snap dragons, lisianthus, seeded eucalyptus and Dusty Miller gathered with a white silk ribbon.

Attending the bride as matron of honor was her twin sister, Melissa D. Thibault. Bridesmaids were Margaret Mary Doucet and Mary-Kathryn D. McGuffee, sisters of the bride; Margaret G. Doucet, sister-in-law of the bride; and Melanie McGovern, sister of the groom.

Each bridal attendant selected her own style of neckline and dresses ranging in shades of green, while carrying a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet each tied with a handkerchief handcrafted by the bride’s mother. Each handkerchief was made with the lace of each bridesmaid’s mother and grandmothers’ wedding dresses.

Attending the groom as best man was a friend, William C. Clifton, Jr., and groomsmen were Matt Doucet, brother of the bride, and friends Chip Stryker, Shawn Kelly and Sean McGowan.

Following the wedding ceremony, a New Orleans-style second line, complete with saxophone player, was enjoyed from the church to the reception, a sunset social at the Asolare Restaurant, a side-cliff, open air resturant on St. John’s. 

The restaurant decor for the wedding reception included bud vase runners and votives lined tables. Monogrammed luggage tags, custom watercolored menus, and calligraphed place cards in sea shells designed by the bride awaited each guest.

A cocktail hour included a steel pan player and hors d’oeuvres, with guests then served a sit-down dinner on Asolare’s terrace, followed by dancing amid the Caribbean setting.

A three-layer traditional wedding cake with buttercream frosting was also provided among the refreshments. The top layer was of edible gold glitter frosting, the extra tall middle layer featured white frosting with mint green piping, and the octagon-shaped bottom layer was designed with mint green frosting a gold design. The cake topper was custom made to reflect the couple’s wedding day attire and guests were encouraged to snap a photograph and sign a polaroid guestbook.

Following a wedding trip to St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the couple will reside in New York City.

Prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner on Friday, July 18, a sunset sailing trip off the coast of St. John.