VOWS EXCHANGED BY THIBODEAUX, HARGRAVE

Amber Nicole Thibodeaux of Egan and Blair Adam Hargrave of Morse were joyously wed during a lovely evening ceremony on Friday, Nov. 8. Fr. Neil McNeil and Fr. Randy Moreau concelebrated the 7 p.m. Nuptial Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mermentau.

The bride is the daughter of Alvin and Kathy  Thibodeaux of Egan. She is the granddaughter of the late Obray and Eula Abshire Sonnier, and the late Frank and Ada Abshire Thibodeaux, all of Crowley.

Amber graduated from Iota High School in 2005 before attending Louisiana State University – Eunice, where she earned an associate’s degree in science in 2008. In 2010, she graduated from the Aveda Institute – Lafayette and is presently employed as a licensed cosmetologist at La Salon Jolie in Rayne.

Amber also represented the city of Crowley as Miss Crowley in 2006, and served as the International Rice Festival Queen in 2007.

The groom is the son of Lynn Benoit Hargrave of Morse and the late Burton Hargrave. His maternal grandparents are the late Elie and Eula Benoit of Morse. His paternal grandparents are the late Benjamin and Effie Hargrave of Lyons Point.

Blair graduated from Midland High School in 2006 and SOWELA Technical College in 2012. He is currently employed as an electrical technician with Crosstex Energy Services in Eunice.

Guests were escorted to their seats by the groom’s brother-in-law, Ben Penton, and the bride’s cousin, Myles Sonnier.

Musical selections for the ceremony were played by trumpeter David Douget and organist Jan Carboni, who also provided vocals.

Escorted to the altar by her father, Amber was beautiful in a full-length strapless diamond white gown with a sweetheart neckline and light ruching through the bodice. The dress was defined at the natural waistline by a gorgeous belt adorned with beads, rhinestones and pearls, and the sleek A-line skirt was fitted with hidden pockets.

For her headpiece, Amber selected a lace-trimmed cathdedral-length  veil with a lace flower made from her mother’s veil adorned with a gold and green broach.

She completed her ensemble with a pair of emerald green heels embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Amber carried a clutch bouquet of sage and antique hydrangeas, antique Albertine roses, sage Baronne Prevost roses, white wax, white anemones and sage hops wrapped in burlap with her maternal grandmother’s lace veil and paternal grandfather’s handkerchief.

In keeping with tradition, the bride wore diamond earrings made from the wedding rings of her mother and her maternal grandmother, in addition to carrying her maternal grandmother’s lace veil in her bouquet, to represent “something old.” Her wedding dress was “something new,” and an emerald ring belonging to the groom’s grandmother was “something borrowed.” Her paternal grandfather’s initialed handkerchief, along with a sixpence wrapped in antique blue tulle and given to her by Mary Ann Sensat, served as “something blue.”

The bride selected her aunt, Missy Sonnier, to serve as matron of honor, and her cousin, Addie Sonnier served as maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Megan Hargrave Myers and Jenna Hargrave Penton, sisters of the groom; Audrey Hebert Richard, Candace Miller Johnson and Leigha Frey Gildersleeve, friends of the bride; and Ann Bergeron Cormier, friend of the bride and groom.

The attendants were clad in palomino-colored cocktail-length dresses in styles of  their choice paired with emerald green shoes.

They carried ivory and green roses interspersed with green hydrangeas and wrapped with burlap ribbon.

Serving as flower girl was Londyn Blair Myers, godchild of the groom.

The groom’s best friend, Brent Romero, served as best man. Standing as groomsmen were Mitchell Myers and Ben Penton, brothers-in-law of the groom; Bryce Richard, Tel Rouse, Gavin Broussard and Kyle Borde, friends of the groom; and Myles Sonnier, cousin of the bride.

The ringbearer was Liam Joseph Myers, godchild of the groom.

Selected scriptures were read by Lisa Thibodeaux and Joni Thibodeaux.

Offertory gifts were presented by Michael Sonnier and Dani Trahan.

For her daughter’s wedding day, the mother of the bride, the former Kathleen Ann Sonnier, selected an emerald green knee-length dress with a matching ruffle-trimmed bolero jacket. The bodice of the dress featured a sophisticated combination of horizontal and diagonal ruching defined by a glittering applique of beads and sequins.

The mother of the groom, the former Lynn Benoit, chose a lace-overlaid knee-length dress in deep blush with a matching lace bolero jacket. A satin band embellished with a rhinestone brooch defined the dress at its natural waistline.

Both mothers carried purse corsages of ivory roses with hops tied in twine.

Immediately following the ceremony, family and friends celebrated with the newlywed couple at a reception held at the International Rice Festival Building in Crowley.

The venue was decorated in a “Southern chic” theme with lanterns, candles, greenery and burlap. Rather than a traditional registry, guests signed keepsake rocking chairs for the couple.

The bride’s three-tiered white buttercream cake was decorated with a rose pattern on the top and bottom tiers, while the middle tier was wrapped with a burlap ribbon finished with a gold and green rhinestone brooch. The cake was served by Veronica Strobel, godmother of the bride, and Sheila Smith, aunt of the bride.

The groom’s cake was a yellow cake designed to look like a distressed whiskey barrel accented with a fondant Crown Royal bottle and Miller Lite cans. It was served by the groom’s godmother, Dani Trahan.

Out-of-town guests traveled from Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as various points throughout Louisiana. 

On the evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s mother hosted a rehearsal dinner, serving chicken breast topped with crawfish sauce, grilled asparagus and green salad.

Following a wedding trip to Nassau, Bahamas, the couple will reside in Crowley.