Brandi Claire Vondenstein weds Jess McKewn Dannelly

A one-thirty afternoon wedding ceremony on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church united in marriage Brandi Claire Vondenstein of Conway, Ark. and Jess McKewn Dannelly of Conway, SC. The double-ring ceremony was celebrated by Deacon Daniel Besse.

The bride is the daughter of Chuck and Cindi Vondenstein of Rayne. Her grandparents are Ben A. Meyer, Sr. of Rayne, the late Virginia Meyer, the late Charles E. Vondenstein, Sr. and Sandie Bell, and honorary Leo and Ruby Spaetgens of Rayne. She is a 2001 graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish, attended Northeast Mississippi Community College until 2003, and received her BA and master’s degree in education from Delta State University in 2007. She is currently employed as an assistant softball coach at the University of Central Arkansas.

The groom is the son of Jess and Wendy Dannelly of Conway, SC. His grandparents are the late Jess L. and Burnie M. Dannelly and the late Ralph D. and Velma D. Lamp. He is a 1997 graduate of Conway High School in Conway, SC, a 2003 graduate of Coastal Carolina University where he received a BS in physical education, and is presently employed as head softball coach at St. James High School in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Ushering guests to their seats for the ceremony were David Lamp, uncle of the groom, and Dale Primeaux, cousin-in-law of the bride.

Program attendants were Maggi Kay Vondenstein, sister of the bride, and Samantha Meyer, cousin of the bride.

Musical selections were provided by vocalist Rachel Koch and organist Amy Whatley.

Scriptures for the ceremony were recited by Linda Durio and Joan Mouton.

Traditional items selected by the bride for her wedding day included her maternal grandmother’s rosary as something old, her wedding dress as something new, her jewelry ensemble was something borrowed, and her garter as something blue.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore a gown fashioned of pure silk satin in a deep shade of ivory. The bodice featured a wrap shirring with a sweetheart neckline. Delicate Swarovski crystals and beads adorned the straps that hugged slightly off the shoulders. The waistline was also fashioned with crystals and beads, all leading to an A-lined skirt that flowed into a semi-cathedral train. Three tiers of bustles flowed down the train. A tiara-styled headpiece of pearls and crystals held a single tier veil of silk illusion featuring a hemline of crystals and beads, along with silver thread edging. She carried a hand-tied cluster of ivory roses, green and lavendar hydrangeas, seeded eucalyptus, and mixed foliage with her grandmother’s heirloom rosary intertwinned throughout.

Attending her sister as maid of honor was Marci Ann Vondenstein. Matron of honor was Laura H. Smith, friend. Bridesmaids were Katie Primeaux, cousin of the bride, and Amy Whitley and Katie Moore, friends of the bride.

Bridal attendants each wore a floor-length dress of lapis jersey featuring charmeuse accents at the waist and shoulder straps. Each carried a hand-tied bouquet of ivory roses, lavendar hydrangeas, lapis poppies and fuschia roses.

Serving as flower girl was Cameron Latiolais, cousin of the bride. She wore an ivory floor-length gown with crystal and pearl accents featuring spaghetti straps and fitted waistline that emphasized a full skirt of tulle. She carried a flower ball of ivory hydrangeas with pearl accents and a flowing lapis-tone ribbon.

Attending the groom as his best men were Travis Dannelly, brother of the groom, and Jess Dannelly, his father. Groomsmen were Scott Whitlock, Jimmy Martin and Marty McDaniel, friends of the groom.

Serving as ring bearer was Max Trahan, friend of the bride. He carried an ivory ring pillow accented with iridescent ivory and lapis ribbon.

Male attendants each wore a formal black tuxedo featuring pin striping completed with an ivory shirt, along with a gray vest and tie. The lapel was noted with a boutonniere of an ivory rose, seeded eucalyptus, and a touch of lavendar hydrangea.

For her daughter’s wedding, the mother of the bride wore a formal dress designed of midnight blue beaded chiffon featuring a scooped neakline and three-quarter length sleeves. The groom’s mother selected a formal dress of jade green crepe cinched at the waist with a rhinestone broach. Each was presented a corsage of ivory sweetheart roses with mixed foliages.

Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds were honored during a reception at Maison D’ Memoire Bed and Breakfast Cottages in Rayne.

Among the refresh-ments provided for the guests was the bride’s cake, a three-tier white confection with candlelight icing of buttercream layered with fillings of chocolate mousse, strawberry and Oreo cookies and cream. It was served by the bide’s godmother, Susie Guillot.

The groom’s cake was a traditional chocolate confection with white buttercream icing deco-rated with the state flag of South Carolina. The cake was served by the groom’s godmother, Kay Zolnierowicz.

Guests attended the wedding from numerous points of Louisiana, in addition to Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi.

Following a scenic wedding trp including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the couple will reside in Conway, Ark.

Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was held Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at Chef Roy’s Frog City Café in Rayne hosted by the groom’s parents.