Savoie, Schenk wed in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS - Lieutenant Lacey Louisa Savoie, United States Navy, and Lieutenant Michael Andrew Schenk, United States Navy, both of Norfolk, Va., were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony during an early afternoon ceremony on November 10, 2012. Father Byron Miller, formerly of Crowley, officiated the 1 p.m. nuptial ceremony at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in New Orleans.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Milton Savoie of Crowley.

She is the granddaughter of Emilie Soileau Langley and the late Deomel Louis Langley; and the late Rosa Mae Barousse Savoie and the late Lucien Joseph Savoie.

Lacey graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley in 2004 and subsequently attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., graduating with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering in 2008. She served aboard the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) in Yokosuka, Japan and the USS Truxton (DDG 103) in Norfolk, Va. She is currently serving at Afloat Training Group Norfolk.

The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Paul W. Schenk of Dunwoody, Ga.

His grandparents are Mary Esther DiMasi and the late John Theodore DiMasi; and the late Marcia Ostrander Schenk and the late William Tibbets Schenk.

Michael graduated from Dunwoody High School in 2002. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. in 2007. Michael served on board the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) in Yokosuka, Japan and the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in Norfolk, Va. He is currently serving at the United States Fleet Forces Command.

Musical selections for the ceremony were performed by trumpeter Joseph Stemplewski of Iota and organist Robert Zenga of New Orleans.

Escorted to the altar by her parents, Lacey was gorgeous in a sleeveless J. Crew gown in ivory tricotine. Featuring a fitted bodice, loosely defined natural waistline and straight skirt, the dress’s sheath silhouette was a model of understated elegance. The high cutaway neckline, combined with keyhole cutouts in the bodice, added detail, while the long skirt flowed into a chapel-length train in back. Lacey’s cascading pearl necklace and Mikimoto pearl earrings, a gift from the groom, perfectly accessorized the gown.

For her headpiece, Lacey selected a matching floor-length veil made of silk tulle.

Lacey’s bouquet was an arrangement of white roses, lisianthus and ranunculus interspersed with gold foliage and hand-tied with ivory ribbon and a Belgian lace handkerchief embroidered with Lacey’s initials.

To ensure good luck in her marriage, the bride incorporated all of the traditional items into her attire. The groom’s maternal great grandmother’s gold amethyst ring was “something old.” Lacey’s bridal gown and veil were “something new,” her mother’s gold slide bracelet was “something borrowed” and a blue topaz charm on the bracelet was “something blue.”

Lacey’s sister, Caroline Savoie, served as maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Kelly Nelan Norton, Renee Leger, Elizabeth Everett and Emily Freeland Meck, friends of the bride; and Lauren Langley Fontenot and Christine Savoie, cousins of the bride.

The bridal attendants were clad in various styles of above-the-knee J. Crew dresses in Caspian blue silk taffeta. They carried bouquets of mixed full and spray white roses with gold foliage intermingled.

The groom’s brother, Peter Matthew Schenk, stood as best man.

Standing as groomsmen were David Ames, Scott Owens, Nicholas Hamm, Michael Ott and Claude Burns, all friends of the groom.

The groom was attired in his Navy Service Dress White uniform.

The groomsmen wore black two-button Vera Wang tuxedoes with slim black ties. White ranunculus boutonnieres graced their lapels.

For her daughter Lacey’s wedding day, the mother of the bride, the former Veronica Langley, selected a fitted sheath dress in Campari red. The Nanette Lepore design featured cap sleeves embellished with bows and a belted bow waistline.

The mother of the groom, the former Cheryl Gail Pandolf, wore a two-piece navy blue ensemble enhanced with beaded trim.

Both mothers and the bride’s grandmother wore corsages of white ranunculus and freesia.

Selected scriptures were read by David Breaux, godfather of the bride; Grace Elizabeth Burgin, friend of the bride; and Donna Rinaldi, friend of the groom.

Following the ceremony, the couple celebrated at a reception hosted by the bride’s parents at Pat O’Brien’s on the River, located on the third floor of the historic Jax Brewery building. Guests entering the Grande Terrace through the brick entryway, with its 18th-century muskets and traditional New Orleans-style wrought iron gates, were immediately presented with sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the Mississippi River. The Terrace’s antique chandeliers, traditional moldings and textured walls enhanced the ambience of the surroundings. The Promenade Room, adjacent to the Grande Terrace, featured a New Orleans courtyard mural and elegant lighting, along with more floor-to-ceiling views of the river.

The bride’s cake was a white three-layer beaded confection topped with fresh flowers matching those in the bride’s bouquet.

The groom’s cake was a “Cajun cannoli”-a tower of cannoli shells with pecan praline filling-in acknowledgement of the groom’s Italian heritage.

Out-of-town guests traveled from California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and various points throughout Louisiana.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner in the banquet room at Mother’s Next Door in New Orleans.

Following a wedding trip to St. Lucia in the Caribbean, the couple will reside in Norfolk, Va.