Thibodeaux, Parker exchange wedding vows

The Ealm Park Plantation in St. Francisville provided the perfect setting for the Friday, June 13, wedding that joined Chelsie Paige Thibodeaux and Dalton Austin Parker, both of Lafayette, in holy matrimony.

The plantation was a special setting for the couple, as it is the home of the groom’s great-aunt and great-uncle, Sarah Daniel and Sheriff Austin Daniel. The 6 p.m. double ring ceremony was officiated by Minister Deborah Duvic.

The bride is the daughter of Brenda and Conley Thibodeaux of Mermentau Cove. Her grandparents are Dorothy and Andrew Jeanise Jr. of Crowley, and Helen Thibodeaux of Morse and the late Charles Thibodeaux.

Chelsie graduated from Midland High School in 2011 before enrolling at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in business, with an anticipated graduation date in the spring of 2015. She is currently employed as assistant manager at the Get Wet Shop in Lafayette.

The groom is the son of Penny Lalik of Webster, New York, and Chris and Bryan Parker of St. Francisville. He is the grandson of Jacquelyn and John Lalik of Red Creek, New York, and Lottie Easterly of St. Francisville and the late Jules Easterly.

Dalton attended West Feliciana High School, graduating in 2010, followed by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is currently employed by Cumulus Broadcasting as an on-air disc jockey for Rock 93.7 and by Infiniti of Lafayette as a mechanic.

The wedding party entered to the song “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, which was performed by Tiffany Thibodeaux, cousin of the bride, on guitar and vocals.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was lovely in a vintage-inspired Oleg Cassini ivory lace gown with a classic A-line silhouette. Featuring a fitted tank bodice, the gown was defined at its natural waistline by a band of intricately embroidered beading and finished in the back with a sweep train. 

For her headpiece, Chelsea wore an ivory barrette embellished with pink accents, including rhinestones, buttons, lace, feathers and pearls. It was handmade for her by her friend and bridesmaid, Elizabeth Schexnayder.

She carried a clutch bouquet of mauve hydrangeas entwined with her late paternal grandfather’s rosary and hand-tied with burlap and lace.

In keeping with tradition, the bride designated her engagement ring, which had been handed down to the groom by his grandmother, as “something old,” and her wedding dress as “something new.” Mailman and school bus driver pins belonging to her late paternal grandfather and affixed to her garter, along with her late grandfather’s rosary in her bouquet, counted as “something borrowed,” while her garter itself was “something blue.”

Nakia Nero Kershaw, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. The duties of the maid of honor were shared by Hannah Nero, sister of the bride, and Baylee Shuman, the bride’s best friend.

Bridesmaids were Elizabeth Schexnayder, friend of the bride, and Leah LeBlanc and Sarah Piper, friends of the bride and groom.

Each attendant was clad in an above-the-knee dress of her own choosing, ranging in color from light pink to mauve, paired with gold sandals. 

They carried bouquets of green orchids hand-tied with white ribbon.

Brair Kershaw, godchild of the bride, served as flower girl.

Samuel Labue, friend of the couple, served as best man. Standing as groomsmen were Christopher Rogers, cousin of the groom; Gavin Meyers and Justin Kershaw, brothers-in-law of the bride; and Victor John and Damian Gleason, friends of the couple.

Neil Rachal, cousin of the groom, served as ring bearer.

For her daughter’s wedding, the mother of the bride, the former Brenda Jeanise, selected a summer maxi dress featuring a multi-colored Aztec print and a beaded neckline, completing the outfit with a tan crocheted sweater.

The mother of the groom chose a sleeveless black dress paired with silver rhinestone heels.

Both mothers wore corsages of pink-centered white orchids accented with burlap.

Immediately following the wedding, an on-site reception was held at the plantation.

The beautiful grounds of the plantation needed little adornment, and the reception area was strung with hundreds of white lights that created a magical atmosphere.

Guest tables were covered with white linen cloths and topped with mint green wine bottles tied with burlap and filled with flowers. The burlap and lace theme was echoed throughout, as were the bride’s chosen colors of mint green and various shades of pink.

The couple took their first turn on the dance floor as newlyweds to Rise Against’s “Swing Life Away” as performed by Tiffany Thibodeaux.

The bride’s three-tiered naked cake with fresh fruit filling was trimmed with raspberries, strawberries and pale pink roses. It was served by the bride’s godmother, Ruthy Thibodeaux.

The groom’s tiramisu cake was baked by Madlyn Zaunbrecher to depict the groom’s Gibson Hummingbird guitar. It was served by the groom’s aunt, Gretchen Lalik.

Out-of-town guests at the wedding registered from Colorado, New York and various points throughout Louisiana.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s mother and stepmother hosted a rehearsal dinner on the plantation grounds.

Following a wedding trip to New Orleans, the couple will reside in Lafayette.