Bride-elect Aili Cart honored with Sunday morning shower

Aili Grace Cart of Lake Charles was recently honored with a lovely bridal shower in celebration of her engagement and forthcoming marriage to William Matthew Burns of Lake Charles.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Tracy and James Andrus and Paula and Zachary Cart, all of Iota.

The prospective groom is the son of Sheryl and Shawn Wilson of Ankeney, Iowa, and Karen and Randy Burns of Lake Charles.

The shower was held on the morning of Sunday, May 4, at the Iota home of Jeanne and Jared Jackson. Along with Jackson, hostesses for the event included Ashley Bertrand, Alisha Brasseaux, Paula Cart, Phyllis Cart, April Comeaux, Ashleigh Knox, Connie LaCombe, Wanda LaCombe, Michelle Lafleur, Cassandra Leger, Katie Miller, Sandra Seilhan, Debora Sensat and Kayla Short.

For her shower, Aili selected a beautiful black and champagne lace dress, and she was presented with a corsage of white daisies and purple roses finished with a burlap bow.

The bride’s mother, Tracy Andrus, combined a pair of black slacks with a teal blue shirt with floral embellishments, and her stepmother, Paula Cart, was clad in a red shirt paired with khaki pants.

Although the groom’s mother and stepmother were unable to attend, they sent their well wishes.

The Jackson residence was decorated in burlap and lace for the chic country bridal shower.

Fresh floral arrangements made with daisies and purple roses provided bursts of color, and photographs of the bride and groom displayed for viewing by guests.

The nearly 50 guests in attendance enjoyed a wide assortment of finger foods, along with a traditional shower cake for dessert. 

Out-of-town guests registered from Texas and various points throughout Louisiana.

Aili’s maternal grandparents are Irene and Charles Henry, Florence Miller, the late Alton Miller and the late Thomas Miller, all of Iota. Her paternal grandparents are Laura Cart Matte, the late Harold Dean Cart, the late Leo Matte and the late Mildred and Clyde Andrus, all of Iota.

Aili graduated from Iota High School in 2006. She is presently a student at Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Texas, where she is studying radiologic technology. She is also employed as a veterinary assistant at University Animal Clinic in Lake Charles.

William’s maternal grandparents are Bobbie Evans of Stonewall, Ray Dean Glover of Mansfield and Howard Matthews and the late Rose Matthews of Lake Charles. His paternal grandparents are the late Leora and William Burns of Mansfield.

William is a 2006 graduate of Iota High School and is employed as a conductor by Union Pacific Railroad in Lake Charles.

The couple will be wed on the evening of Saturday, May 31, at The Brick House in Lake Charles, with Pastor Troy Terrell officiating for the ceremony.