Laura Elizabeth Gilder weds Brent Edward Boudreaux

RAYNE - A one-thirty afternoon wedding ceremony on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church united in marriage Laura Elizabeth Gilder and Brent Edward Boudreaux, both of Crowley.
The bride is the daughter of Galen and Corinne Rabalais Gilder of Crowley. Her grandparents are Halcyon and Hollis Hill Gilder of Hahnville, Wilbur and Eunice Gremillion Rabalais of Simmesport, all deceased.
The groom is the son of Glen Boudreaux of Rayne and late Nellie Boudreaux. His grandparents are Edward Boudreaux of Rayne, the late Bernice Boudreaux, and the late Paul and Leora Lejeune.
Officiant for the ceremony was Fr. Gene Tremie, former pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Musical selections were provided by Kip Faulk, with the bride’s cousin, Danielle Laird, as vocalist.
Church decorations included fresh floral arrangements similar to the flowers included in the bride’s bouquet, in addition to a small arrangement of sunflowers at the Blessed Virgin Mary in honor of the groom’s mother.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless, corseted ball gown of ivory satin designed with a sweetheart neckline and a laceup back. The soft lace and beaded bodice accentuated a soft tulle floor-length skirt and a chapel length train. An intricately beaded grosgrain sash was also worn at the waist. Her veil was a delicately beaded waltz-length veil of sheer illusion. She carried a free form clutch bouquet of Mount Everest roses, porcelana roses, hypericum berries, and featuring Juliet garden roses and finished with supreme white wax flowers.
Maid of honor was Mary Claire Gilder, sister of the bride, and matron of honor was Monica Serrette, sister of the groom.
Bridesmaids were Caroline Boudreaux, cousin of the bride; Ella Abshire, friend of the bride; and Raime Thibodeaux, friend of the bride.
Bridal attendants each wore a strapless, knee-length dress of deep navy blue satin designed with a sweetheart neckline and pleated bust. Each carried a free-form bouquet of green apple hydrangeas and hypericum berries.
Serving as flower girls were Marie Cox, cousin of the bride and daughter of Dr. Jared and Margaret Cox, and Julie Fontenot, cousin of the groom and daughter of Cade and Erin Fonentot.
Marie wore a floor-length ivory princess ballgown with a navy sash at the natural waist, while Julie was dressed in a tea-length ivory princess ball gown with an illusion neckline and navy sash, in addition to a navy and ivory floral headpiece. Both girls carried small hand-held bouquets of green apple hydrangeas and hypericum berries.
Attending the groom as best man was Nick Trahan, friend of the groom.
Groomsmen were Greg Gilder, brother of the bride; Kenny Serrette, brother-in-law of the groom; Kevin Boudreaux, cousin of the groom; and Jason Lagneaux, friend of the groom
Ring bearers were Yuriy and Bradley Boudreaux, sons of the groom.
Ushers were Dereck Kibodeaux, Will Leonards and Ben Leger, all lifelong friends of the couple.
Immediately following the wedding ceremony, a reception of food, music, and dancing held at The Crossing at Mervine Kahn in Rayne in honor of the newlyweds. Upon entering, the guest book was actually a tree for guests to sign tags and hang upon, signifying how the groom proposed. The “proposal tag” was framed on a foyer table under the guest book tree, which was also highlighted with tea lights; which in turn, were reflected in a large entrance mirror of the hall. The entry area also held a large framed bridal portrait, in addition to a large basket of handmade soaps as wedding favors. Each bar of soap was noted with a “Tree of Life” print and painted with gold mica dust.
Guest tables were topped with gold framed mirrors and mason jars filled with rice and held green apple hydrangeas and gold painted branches surrounded by tea light candles. In addition, the table for the bride and groom held a sign that read “Happily Ever After”, and “Mr.” and “Mrs.” signs for their chairs.
A French hutch was decorated with flowers, tin colored “L & B” letters, and pictures of the couple as children, in addition to pictures of the couple while in high school where they first became friends. Recent photos of the couple together and with their children were also noted.
A French buffet showcased pictures of loved ones of the couple who had passed on, along with arrangements of sunflowers and flowers used during the wedding in honor and memory of the groom’s mother, Nellie.
The table with the wedding cake was decorated with vintage champagne glasses for toasting. A navy “B” hung from a cypress doorway behind the cake table and two trees strung with lights centered the backdrop. Also on the table was a large champagne glass used by the bride’s parents on their wedding day. Pictures of the bride’s parents on their wedding day toasting out of this champagne glass were displayed in an armoire, along with other pictures of loved ones.
The bride and groom were also blessed to use the cake server used by the groom’s parents on their wedding day. It was a beautiful sterling silver server with a mother of pearl handle.
The bride’s cake was a three-tier white confection with layers of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla filling with a soft buttercream frosting. The cake was decorated with flowers used in the bridal arrangement and served by Pam Sonnier, godmother of the bride.
The groom’s cake was a white confection with chocolate filling topped with a rich, chocolate ganache, surrounded by chocolate dipped strawberries, and topped with a small monogram of the couple’s initials. It was served by Gayle Thibodeaux, godmother of the groom.
Following a wedding trip to an undisclosed destination, the couple is residing in Crowley.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was held Friday, July 24, at the home of Kevin and Lorraine Meche in Rayne. The 7 p.m. evening event was hosted Kevin and Lorraine Meche, Rodney and Debbie Boudreaux, Jeff and Arlene Matthews, Daniel and Linda Braus, Randall and Gayle Thibodeaux.