Lauren Merle Judice weds Christopher John Craton

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church of Rayne was the setting on Friday, June 12, 2015, at six o’clock in the evening for a Nuptial Mass uniting Lauren Merle Judice and Christopher John Craton in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Judice of Rayne. Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Larry Garrett of Rayne and the late Mr. and Mrs. Emery Judice.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Craton of Crowley. He is the grandson of Mrs. Vivian B. Thibodeaux of Church Point, the late Sweeney J. Thibodeaux, and the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Craton.
Music for the ceremony was provided by vocalist/pianist Amy Whatley.
The mother of the bride was escorted by her sons, Randy and Ricky Judice. The groom, accompanied by his father, escorted his mother.
For her wedding day, the bride chose an all-over lace fit and flare bridal gown. It featured a bateau neckline, a satin belt at the natural waistline with beading ornament at center front, and a bow tie in the back. It was finished with an elegant sheer lace back on top, romantic pearl buttons and a chapel length train. The bride paired her gown with a one layer, pencil edge veil.
In keeping with tradition, the bride choose her grandmother’s brooch in her bouquet as something old, her dress was something new, the groom’s great-grandmother’s rosary was something borrowed, and a Miraculous Medal of the Virgin Mary pinned in her dress as something blue.
Lauren carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas with baby’s breath tied with a white satin ribbon. Adorning her bouquet was a rhinestone brooch belonging to her late grandmother, Wilma Judice, and a rosary belonging to the groom’s late great-grandmother, Philoman D. Beaugh.
Attending the bride as matrons of honor were her sister, Lindsey LaGrange, and best friend, Ellie Duplichain.
Bridesmaids were Maggie McKay, Colleen Cox, Beth Kirsch and Allison Goodson, all sisters of the groom.
Bridal attendants each wore a simple elegant long mesh dress with a sleeveless bodice featuring an ultra-feminine corded lace illusion sweetheart neckline and illusion v-back. The mesh skirt was designed with a ruched waist and front leg slit. Each attendant carried a hand-tied bouquet of baby’s breath.
Immediately preceding the bride were the youngest members of the wedding party, Riley LaGrange and Sydnee Duplichain, godchildren of the bride, who served as flower girls. They were dressed in sleeveless ivory lace and tulle gowns. The floor length full skirts flowed from the empire waists and also featured a keyhole back. The girls carried a flower ball of baby’s breath.
Serving as ring bearers were Gage Craton and Michael Goodson, godchildren of the groom, and Austin Judice, godchild of the bride. They were dressed in white oxford shirts and gray pants, paired with navy blue suspenders and bow tie.
Attending the groom as best man was his brother, Jeremy Craton.
Groomsmen were Paul Vondenstein, friend of the groom; Hunter McKay, brother-in-law of the groom; Randy and Ricky Judice, brothers of the bride; and Jacob Gibson, godfather and cousin of the groom.
Ushers were Brian Cox and Peter Kirsch, brothers-in-law of the groom, and Eddie LaGrange, brother-in-law of the bride.
The men of the wedding party were attired in formal light gray tuxedos with matching navy blue neck ties.
For her daughter’s wedding day, Mrs. Judice, the former Lorie Garrett, chose a beautiful taupe two-piece dress with a lace sequin three quarter length sleeve jacket. It featured a lace sequin bodice and a long A-line double-layer chiffon skirt.
Mrs. Linda Thibo-deaux Craton, mother of the groom, selected a classic navy blue gown featuring a full chiffon skirt highlighted by an over laying bodice of navy lace accented with sequins.
Both mothers wore a wrist corsage of miniature ivory roses.
Celebrant of the Mass and officiating the wedding service was Reverend Kendal Faulk, pastor.
Readers of the sacred scripture were Crystal Judice, sister-in-law of the bride, and Tiffany Craton, sister-in-law of the groom.
Presenting the offertory gifts were Tiffany Gullett, cousin of the bride, and Gabby Kirsch, niece of the groom.
Eucharistic ministers were Diana Gibson, aunt of the groom and also Marisa Tolbert and Marlon Leger, friends of the bride.
Serving as altar server was John Thomas Kirsch, nephew of the groom.
At the end of the nuptial Mass, the young couple carried a white rose to the Blessed Mother statue. As the beautifully sung “Ave Maria” filled the church, they entrusted their newly married life into her care and protection. As the couple returned to the altar, they presented roses to their mothers in a tender moment of gratitude.
Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was held for the newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Craton at The Warehouse Event Center in Rayne.
Among the refreshments, the bride selected a four-tiered cake surrounded with edible lace and featuring a brooch which belonged to her late grandmother, Merle Jackson. Guests enjoyed each layer of the cake which included amoretto, chocolate, strawberry, and bavarian fillings. The bride’s cake was served by her godmother, Karie Mire.
The groom’s table featured a delicious red velvet cake with a UL theme. It displayed a baseball and football helmet with a fleur de lis in the center. The groom’s cake was served by his sister and godmother, Allison Goodson.
As the reception drew to a close, guests gathered outside to participate in a sparkler send-off for the couple. Amid the farewells and well wishes, the couple left for their wedding trip to St. Lucia. Upon their return, they will reside in Rayne.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Craton, on Thursday, June 11, at the Grand Opera House of the South in Crowley.
The new Mrs. Craton is a graduate of Rayne High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. She is a first grader teacher at Martin Petitjean Elementary.
Mr. Craton is a graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He is employed by Baker Hughes in Broussard.