Friday Nuptial Mass joins Murrell, LeBlanc

Meagan Elise Murrell of Crowley and Derek Anthony LeBlanc of Rayne were joined in holy matrimony during a double ring ceremony held on the evening of Friday, Aug. 1.

Fr. Garrett Savoie celebrated the 6 p.m. Nuptial Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne.

The bride is the daughter of Kathy and David Murrell of Crowley. She is the granddaughter of the late Mary F. and Willie D. Nelson, and the late Juanita and Darold Murrell, all of Crowley.

Meagan graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in 2013 before enrolling at Louisiana State University - Eunice, where she is studying elementary education. She is currently employed with the LSU AgCenter office in Acadia Parish.

The groom is the son of Tammy and David LeBlanc of Rayne. His maternal grandparents are Linda and Douglas Terro, and his paternal grandparents are Clara and Larry LeBlanc, all of Rayne.

The groom is a 2010 graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish and is presently employed by Offshore Energy Services in Broussard.

Guests were ushered to their seats by Noochie Credeur, Wa Credeur and Ryan Leonards, friends of the couple.

Musical selections for the ceremony were provided by Kip Faulk. Special selections included “Always Be a Child,” which accompanied the seating of the couple’s mothers and grandmothers, and “Canon in D,” which marked the entry and procession of the bride’s and groom’s attendants.

Selected scriptures were read by Josette LeBlanc, aunt of the groom, and Nolan LeBlanc, uncle of the groom.

Offertory gifts were presented by Tiffany Shreve and Jason “Rock” Nelson, both cousins of the bride.

The bride, who entered the church to the strains of “Canon in D,” was escorted to the altar by her father. Meagan was gorgeous in a strapless trumpet gown in ivory satin. Featuring a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice, the gown was embellished in its entirety with intricate beadwork and lace appliques. The back of the gown was finished with satin-covered buttons and flowed into a cathedral length train.

Meagan paired her dress with a fingertip veil affixed with a pearl and rhinestone comb.

She carried a hand-tied bouquet of hydrangeas, roses and stock in shades of pink, plum and lavender interspersed with greenery.

In keeping with tradition, the bride carried all of the items necessary  to ensure good luck in her marriage. A butterfly brooch that had belonged to her maternal grandmother and was attached to her bouquet served as “something old.” “Something new” was her wedding gown, and “something borrowed” was a pearl bracelet that was loaned to the bride by her godmother, who had been gifted with the bracelet by the bride’s paternal grandmother at the bride’s first communion. A rosary made of blue crystals and entwined in the bride’s bouquet served as “something blue.”

Meagan selected her sister Allyson M. Oestriecher to serve as matron of honor and her friend Taylor Boulet to serve as maid of honor.

Serving as bridesmaids were Katelyn Hoffpauir, Katherine Kirsch and Alexa Thibodeaux, friends of the bride, and Meranda L. Melancon, Lindsey LeBlanc and Sarah LeBlanc, sisters of the groom.

Madison Murrell, niece of the bride, served as junior bridesmaids.

The bridesmaids were clad in flowing gowns of plum chiffon. The gowns featured strapless sweetheart necklines and classic A-line silhouettes, and were defined at their waistlines with satin sashes embellished with beaded knot details.

For flowers, the attendants carried smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet.

Ryleigh Oestriecher, godchild of the bride, served as flower girl.

Derek Faul, friend of the groom, served as best man. Standing as groomsmen were Travis Guidry, Michael Dysart and Hunter Stover, friends of the groom; Cody LeBlanc, brother of the groom; Chad Murrell and Brandon Murrell, brothers of the bride; and Ethan Melancon, brother-in-law of the groom.

Luke LeBlanc, brother of the groom, served as junior groomsman.

Max Murrell, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearer.

Following the wedding, family and friends of the couple joined them for a reception at The Warehouse in Rayne.

The guest tables were topped with arrangements of hydrangeas, roses and stock in pink, plum and lavender paired with pillar and votive candles.

The bride’s three-tiered buttercream cake was decorated in subtle shades of ivory and cream and topped with flowers.

The groom’s cake was a chocolate confection topped with a variety of decorations. 

Out-of-town guests at the wedding registered from Georgia, Texas and various points throughout Louisiana.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Rayne Volunteer Fire Home.

The couple will reside in Mire.