LeMaire, Berken wed during Nuptial Mass

Teri Julia LeMaire of Jennings and Erik Matthew Berken of Lake Arthur were united in Holy Matrimony on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 12. Fr. Mikel Polson celebrated the 1 p.m. Nuptial Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley.

The bride is the daughter of Cheryl and Michael LeMaire of Crowley. Her maternal grandparents are the late Donna Rose and Ira “Don” Stutes of Crowley. Her paternal grandparents are the late Lillie Mae and John “Guy” LeMaire of Crowley.

Teri graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish before earning both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from McNeese State University. She is presently employed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The groom is the son of Karen and Clarence Berken of Lake Arthur. He is the grandson of Dot and R.A. Berry of Jennings, and Leona Smaihall of Welsh and the late Herman Berken.

Erik is a graduate of Lake Arthur High School and McNeese State University. He is currently employed by Allen Parish Ambulance Services.

As guests entered the church, they were greeted by strains of harp music played by Olivia Spallino.

They were ushered to their seats by Luke LeMaire and Seth LeMaire, brothers of the bride.

Musical selections for the ceremony were provided by Alberta Lyons, organist; Carolyn Bertrand, vocalist; and Hunter Lambert, violinist.

Selected Scriptures were read by Melissa Ball, friend of the bride, and Kevin Berken, uncle of the groom.

Marie Holmes and Stephen Berken, the bride’s godmother and the groom’s godfather, presented offertory gifts.

Escorted to the altar by her father, the bride was beautiful in a breathtaking Allure Romance slim-fitted gown of light gold organza with an all-over ivory lace applique. The strapless, fitted bodice featured a sweetheart neckline, and a ruched band embellished with a Swarovski crystal applique defined the dress at its natural waist, creating a classic A-line silhouette. 

To complete her ensemble, the bride selected an ivory fingertip-length veil and carried a hand-tied clutch bouquet of calla lilies and roses. 

In keeping with tradition, Teri wore a pearl necklace that had belonged to her late maternal grandmother as “something old.” Her dress was “something new,” and a handkerchief from her paternal grandmother was “something borrowed.” Teri’s garter, made by Peggy Simon of ivory lace and royal blue ribbon, served as “something blue.”

Leah Singh, friend of the bride, served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Lynette Guidry and Courtney Duplantis, friends of the bride, and Erin Williams, sister of the groom.

The attendants were clad in strapless knee-length dresses of royal blue satin, and they carried long-stemmed calla lilies and rice stalks.

Tony Cramer, friend of the groom, served as best man. Standing as groomsmen were David Berken, brother of the groom; Brady Williams, brother-in-law of the groom; and Tim McKnight, friend of the groom.

For her daughter’s wedding, the mother of the bride, the former Cheryl Stutes, selected a floor-length A-line gown in light blue satin. A matching bolero jacket completed the ensemble.

The mother of the groom, the former Karen Berry, wore a long-sleeved floor-length A-line gown in navy blue crepe satin.

Both mothers wore corsages of roses.

Following the Mass, family and friends celebrated the couple’s union at a reception at The Crossing at Mervine Kahn in Rayne.

Calla lilies graced the entryway, and the guest tables were topped with blue roses and yellow flowers. 

Pictures of the bride and groom were displayed in the sitting area.

As a special and unique touch, the bride displayed the wedding dresses of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, along with a shirt dress of her great-great-great grandmother, in the tribute area.

The bride’s cake was a four-tiered confection iced with white buttercream frosting and decorated with royal blue ribbon and calla lilies.

The groom’s square chocolate cake was decorated with a picture of a combine and an ambulance on top.

Out-of-town guests traveled from California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas and various points throughout Louisiana.

On the Friday evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a 7 p.m. rehearsal dinner at Chef Roy’s in Rayne.

Following a wedding trip to St. Lucia, the couple will reside in Jennings.