Cart, Burns exchange vows in Lake Charles

A candlelight nuptial ceremony held on the evening of Saturday, May 31, united Aili Grace Cart and William Matthew Burns, both of Lake Charles, as husband and wife.

Pastor Troy Terrell officiated the 6 p.m. double ring service at The Brick House in Lake Charles.

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

The prospective groom is the son of Sheryl and Shawn Wilson of Ankeney, Iowa, and Karen and Randy Burns of Lake Charles. His 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 presently employed as a conductor by Union Pacific Railroad in Lake Charles.

Guests were ushered to their seats by Treef Andrus and Tren Andrus, brothers of the bride.

Strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D filled the air as the bride was escorted down the aisle and given in marriage by her father and stepfather. Aili was stunning in a romantic ivory and champagne trumpet gown by Oleg Cassini. The dress featured an off the shoulder neckline and layer upon layer of delicate, detailed Chantilly lace. The back of the gown was finished with a row of cloth-covered buttons, and the back of the skirt flowed into a chic sweep train.

The bride paired her gown with a single-tiered ivory cathedral length veil embellished with pearl beads and trimmed with Alençon lace.

She carried a clutch bouquet of lavender and green roses mixed with white daisies and baby’s breath hand-tied with burlap and lace ribbon.

In keeping with tradition, the bride wore a pearl necklace worn by her paternal grandmother on her wedding day and given to her as a gift as “something old.” Her wedding dress and veil were “something new,” while her garter was “something blue.” For “something borrowed,” the bride wore the wedding ring set worn by her maternal grandmother on her wedding day and a pair of pearl earrings loaned by her mother.

Alisha Brasseaux, the bride’s best friend, served as maid of honor. April Comeaux, aunt of the bride; Ashleigh Knox, friend of the bride; Tristan Perrin, sister of the groom; and Ashley Bertrand, stepsister of the bride, served as bridesmaids.

They were clad in short plum-colored taffeta dresses with beaded one shoulder necklines.

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of white daisies wrapped with burlap ribbon. The maid of honor’s bouquet was distinguished by the intermingling of purple stock.

Noley Comeaux, the bride’s first cousin, served as flower girl.

Greg Burns, cousin of the groom, stood as best man. Groomsmen were Aaron Viney, Ryan Gill and Justin Smart, friends of the groom; and Dane Cart, brother of the bride.

Kyler Brasseaux, the son of the maid of honor, fulfilled the duties of ring bearer.

Also participating in the ceremony was Ashley Wright, cousin of the groom, who provided readings during the sand ceremony performed by the bride and groom.

For her daughter’s wedding, the mother of the bride, the former Tracy Henry, wore a plum-colored tea length dress featuring a drape illusion neckline embellished with plum-colored beads and sequins.

The mother of the groom, the former Sheryl Glover, paired a green and purple top with black dress slacks, completing the look with a plum-colored cardigan sweater.

Both mothers wore corsages of white daisies tied with burlap and lace.

Immediately following the ceremony, an on-site reception was held at The Brick House.

The guest tables were topped with Mason jars decorated with burlap and lace and filled with bouquets of lavender and green roses, white daisies, purple stock and baby’s breath. 

Photographs of the bride and groom were placed throughout the reception area for viewing by the guests.

The bride’s cake was a four-tiered confection decorated with burlap and lace ribbon featuring champagne, white chocolate and strawberry fillings. It was topped with a rustic twine letter “B” to represent the newlywed couple’s last initial.

The groom’s two-tiered cake was decorated in purple and gold with an LSU theme.

Both cakes were served by Michelle Lefleur.

On the Friday evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s father and stepmother hosted a reception dinner at their home. Guests enjoyed boiled crawfish, snow crab legs, shrimp and grilled ribs, along with a variety of sweets for dessert.

Aili and William will reside in Lake Charles following a cruise to Cozumel and Progresso.