Joelle Elizabeth Benoit weds Michael David Guidry

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Rayne was the setting for a lovely evening ceremony uniting Joelle Elizabeth Benoit of Crowley and David Michael Guidry of Rayne in marriage.

Fr. Joseph Breaux officiated the 6:30 p.m. nuptials on Friday, Aug. 8.

The bride is the daughter of Cathy and Randy Benoit of Crowley. She is the granddaughter of James Romero Sr. of Crowley and the late Shirley Romero, and James Benoit Sr. of Vinton and the late Marion Benoit.

Joelle graduated from Crowley High School before attending McNeese State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

She is presently a student at Texas Christian University, where she is a candidate for a Doctor of Nursing Practice - Anesthesia degree.

The groom is the son of Carolyn Guidry and the late J. Russell “Rusty” Guidry of Rayne. His maternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lawrence of New Iberia, and his paternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. James Russell Guidry of Rayne. 

The groom is a graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management. He is currently employed as a pilot with Executive Aircraft Charter Services of Lafayette.

The church pews were marked with fresh garden ribbon trimmed with lace and silk ribbons.

Guests were ushered to their seats by Coby Hebert and Marcus Lejeune, friends of the groom.

Music for the ceremony was provided by organist John Moore and vocalist Sara Jo Green, aunt of the bride. 

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was gorgeous in a champagne ball gown with an ivory lace bodice and soft, full English Net skirt. The gown was defined at its natural waistline with intricate Swarovski crystal beading, and the fitted bodice featured a romantic keyhole back.

For her headpiece, Joelle chose an ivory cathedral length veil with pearl and crystal trim.

Inside her gown she wore a gold wreath pin in memory of Katie DeBuse, a dearly loved family friend, and a sixpence borrowed from the mother of the groom was tucked in her shoe.

The bride carried a gathered bouquet of O’Hare, Quicksand and Sahara roses interspersed with ivory spray roses, accented with dusty miller and wrapped with a silver handmade rosary of crushed rose petals from the bride’s grandmother.

Matron of honor duties were shared by Keisha Rue, Annie Quebodeaux and Carly LeLeux, all sisters of the bride.

Sullivan Rue, goddaughter of the bride, served as junior bridesmaid.

The matrons wore chiffon dresses in varying shades of navy and slate blue.

The junior bridesmaid was clad in a blush pink dress featuring a blush pink lace bodice embellished with crystal beadwork. She also wore a special gold and pearl bracelet made by the mother of the bride.

The bride’s attendants carried bouquets of blush roses, Juliet antique garden roses and a hint of dusty miller.

Arden Rue, niece of the bride, served as flower girl. She wore a champagne silk dress with layers of blush lace and ivory tulle made for her by the mother of the groom, along with a gold and pearl bracelet and crystal ribbon headpiece made by the mother of the bride. Arden carried a gathered bouquet of ivory majolica garden roses.

Stephen Guidry, brother of the groom, attended the groom as best man.

Scott Leger, cousin of the groom, and Brantley Yeager, friend of the groom, stood as groomsmen, and Joseph Quebodeaux, nephew of the bride, served as junior groomsman.

Inside his suit jacket, the groom wore a locket pin that contained a photograph of his late father and was made for him as a wedding gift by the bride.

Maksim and Liam Scarborough, godson and nephews of the bride, served as ring bearers.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a reception at The Petroleum Club in Lafayette.

The bride’s four-tiered cake was iced and decorated in tones of ivory, gold and blush, and the groom’s cheesecake was accented with a model aircraft handmade by the groom.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the mother of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at Cafe Vermilionville in Lafayette.

Following a wedding trip to California, the couple will reside in Rayne.