Guilbeau, Taylor exchange wedding vows

Britni Rae Guilbeau and Matthew John Taylor, both of Lafayette, were joined in holy matrimony on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau by Fr. Derrick J. Weingartner, S.J.

The bride is the daughter of Dixie and Timothy Guilbeau of Sunset. She is the granddaughter of Leatrice and Hurley Gautreaux of Iota, and Alice and Willis Guilbeau of Arnaudville.

Britni graduated from Beau Chene High School in 2006 before attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communicative disorders, and Southern University and A&M College, where she earned a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology. She is presently employed by the Lafayette Parish School System as a speech pathologist.

The groom is the son of Suzette and Lennard Taylor of Arnaudville. He is the grandson of Shirley and Leonard Angelle, and Ethylene Taylor and the late Wilton Taylor, all of Arnaudville.

Matthew is a 2005 graduate of Beau Chene High School and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology. He is currently employed as a quality champion by Scientific Drilling International.

Guests were ushered to  their seats by Dustin Bourque and Brandon Angelle.

A mix of traditional and contemporary wedding music was provided for the ceremony by organist Linda Kidd, trumpeter Will Green, violinist Yang Yang Li and vocalist Jodi Bollich.

Selections included Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

Accompanied by a trumpet solo performed by Green, the bride was given in marriage by her father. 

Britni was gorgeous in a sleeveless all-over lace mermaid gown in ivory and light gold featuring a sophisticated lace illusion neckline, a dramatic sheer illusion back finished with pearl buttons and an attached chapel length train. For the ceremony, she paired her gown with a cathedral length tulle veil edged with crystal beading that was replaced with a crystal hair ornament for the reception.

The bride’s bouquet was a beautiful mixture of fresh blush roses, soft white peonies and eucalyptus. With her bouquet she carried a handkerchief that had belonged to her great-grandmother Anna Marie Simar and that had been carried by her mother at her wedding.

The bride was attended by her childhood friend Ferin Meche as maid of honor. Megan Schexnayder, cousin of the bride, served as matron of honor, and bridesmaids were Kristina Guilbeau, Meredith Taylor, Beth Courville, Taryn Schexnayder, Christina Angelle, Ginger Lambert and Kristen Angelle.

The attendants were clad in floor length sequined gowns in varied designs and metallic colors. They carried lovely bouquets of soft white peonies and blush roses, each of which was finished with a long, flowing ribbon.

Emma Guilbeau, the daughter of Kristina and Brandon Guilbeau and niece of the bride, served as flower girl. She wore a dreamy tea length dress featuring a shimmering sequined bodice and floaty chiffon skirt.

Jack Taylor, brother of the groom, fulfilled the duties of best man. Standing as groomsmen were Phillip Taylor, Brandon Guilbeau, Scott Taylor, Dusty Courville, Chase Taylor, Mario DiMattia, James Hardy and Brennan Hollier.

Austin Guilbeau, son of Kristina and Brandon Guilbeau and godchild of the bride, bore the couple’s rings.

Serving as lectors were Catherine Usie of Scottsdale, Arizona, cousin of the groom,                         Hurley Gautreaux of Iota, grandfather of the bride.

Following the ceremony, family and friends joined the couple for a reception at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette. The venue was filled with arrangements of fresh blush roses and eucalyptus, and framed photographs of the bride and groom’s parents and grandparents were on display to honor the generations of long and loving marriages in both families.

The bride’s cake was three layers of champagne, raspberries and buttercream icing decorated with fresh blush peonies cascading down from the top later.

The groom’s two-layer gambling-themed German chocolate cake was decorated with poker chips, diamonds and a winning hand.

On the Thursday evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents and family hosted a Gatsby-themed murder mystery rehearsal dinner at the Little Big Cup in Arnaudville.

The newlywed couple will reside in Lafayette.