Gonzalez fêted with quinceañera at Grand Opera House

The occasion of Catherine Leonor Gonzalez’s 15th birthday was celebrated on Saturday, April 18,  with a lovely quinceañera held at the Grand Opera House in Crowley.

Catherine was born to Leonor and John Gonzalez of Crowley on April 18, 2000, and has one brother, David. Her maternal grandparents are  Consuelo “Chiqui” Socorro of Crowley, who was married to the late Lamberto Socorro, and the late José P. de la Nuez. Her paternal grandparents are Catherine and Fernando Salas of Hialeah, Florida. She is the godchild of Danny de la Nuez of Crowley and Dolores Gonzalez of Nanuet, New York.

Catherine is currently a freshman at Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish, where she is an honor student with a 4.0 grade point average and plays both volleyball and basketball. She recently won first place in English at the Acadia Parish Educational Rally and will continue on to the State Rally later this month.

For her quinceañera, Catherine selected a Vera Wang strapless double-weave floral matelasse gown in blush and gold. The bodice featured an eye-catching bow at the neckline and metallic threading detail. A full tulle ball gown skirt completed the elegant dress.

Catherine was escorted by Ben Doughty.

The Court of Honor was made up of Catherine’s closest friends. The damas were Elise Landry, Audrey Leonards, Marcella Gossen, Melise Gossen, Natalie Miller, Meaghan Thibodeaux, Mary Leonards and Brookelyn Owens. Serving as chambelanes and escorting the damas were Will Doughty, Tucker Kojis, Cameron Nelson, Abram Broussard, Will Veillon, Jack Monceaux, Ben Faulk and Garrett Cormier.

The opera house was decorated in rustic chic fashion using burlap paired with mint green- and coral-colored decorations. The ceiling was hung with mint and coral lanterns, and the walls were graced by mint and coral fans.

The guest tables were topped with mint green and coral Mason jars and popcorn boxes, and they were uniquely numbered using pictures of Catherine at corresponding ages.

Catherine’s Court of Honor Dance, choreographed by Olivia Hernandez and Brie Scroggs, was performed to the songs “What Makes You Beautiful” by Boyce Avenue and “Echa Pa’lla” by Pitbull. 

Catherine and her father enjoyed a special father-daughter dance, which left the guests in tears, to “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw.

Guests at the quinceañera enjoyed a buffet meal catered by the Rice Palace. 

Catherine’s cake was a marble confection decorated with white frosting, mint green accents and coral bows. It was topped with a monogram of Catherine’s initials.

A photo booth delighted the guests in attendance and provide lasting memories for both Catherine and them.

Approximately 200 family members and friends attended the event, with guests traveling from Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, New York and various points throughout Louisiana.