Wedding vows exchanged by Harris, Collier

Amber Elaine Harris of Crowley and Michael David Collier Jr. of Baton Rouge were joined in holy matrimony on the evening of Friday, Aug. 1, during a double ring ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Lafayette.

Rev. Chester Arceneaux officiated the 7 p.m. nuptials.

The bride is the daughter of Vanessa Benoit Harris and Randall Clark Harris of Crowley. Her maternal grandparents are Laura C. and Gary J. Benoit of Crowley. Her paternal grandparents are Ann and Ralph Harris of Lakeview, Ohio, and the late Doris Elaine Harris.

Amber graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in 2006 before attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene in 2011. She is presently employed by Dr. Kenneth Guilbeau, D.D.S., as a dental hygienist.

The groom is the son of Cynthia and Michael D. Collier of Baton Rouge. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Waguespack Sr., and Dolores Collier and the late B.D. Collier, all of Baton Rouge.

Michael is a 2004 graduate of Bishop Sullivan High School in Baton Rouge. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from Louisiana State University, and he is currently employed as a construction planner for Petra Consultants, Inc., in Lafayette.

Guests were ushered to their seats by Justin Benoit and Joshua Benoit, cousins of the bride, and Kirk Lane and Derek Landry, friends of the groom.

Music for the ceremony was provided by Lauren Baker, violinist; Melanie Couvillion, cantor; Wil Green, trumpeter; and Thomas Neil, organist.

Special pieces included “Wherever You Go,” “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Canon in D,” “Trumpet Voluntary,” “Ave Maria” and “Hornpipe” from the Water Music Suite.

Selected scriptures were read by Mallory Gaspard, friend of the bride, and Darlene Landry, godmother of the groom.

Petitions were offered by Frank Scalia, uncle of the bride.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was beautiful in a floor length pearl Alençon lace dress featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice. A gorgeous hand-beaded tulle belt defined the dress at its natural waist.

For her headpiece, Amber selected a cathedral length veil trimmed with crystal beadwork.

She carried a hand-tied bouquet of Sarah Bernhardt peonies, antique hydrangeas and white dove roses entwined with her grandmother’s rosary and wrapped in pearl Alençon lace.

In keeping with tradition, the rosary in the bride’s bouquet was deemed “something old” and the bride’s wedding dress was “something new.” The bride wore a beautiful ring that had belonged to her deceased grandmother as “something borrowed,” and the bride’s garter served as “something blue.”

Lauren Broussard Woods and Caroline Cormier, both friends of the bride, served as matron and maid of honor, respectively.

Serving as bridesmaids were Alison Pourciau, Kathleen Johnson, Kellie Geoffroy, Alyson Chachere and Lydia Breaux, friends of the bride, and Lauren Collier, sister of the groom.

Madison Collier, sister of the groom, served as junior bridesmaid.

The bridal attendants were identically attired in blush pink gowns featuring ivory lace bodices and sweetheart necklines. The dresses were accented with rhinestone-embellished sashes at their natural waistlines, and the soft chiffon skirts added natural flowing movement.

The attendants carried bouquets of white dove roses, pink and green antique hydrangeas and blush roses hand-tied in pearl Alençon lace.

Crimson DuVall, Lily Lytle and Tinlee Carter, cousins of the bride, served as flower girls. They were clad in ivory lace maxi dresses with halter necklines and wreathes of baby’s breath in their hair, and they carried ivory rose pomander balls.

The duties of best man were shared by John Paul Kenda and Billy Murphy, friends of the groom.

Standing as groomsmen were Jon Bonck, Taylor Landry, Lee Bullard, Dan Plaisance and James Rees, friends of the groom, and Jared Paul Harris, brother of the bride.

For her daughter’s wedding day, the mother of the bride selected a Victorian-colored floor length gown with a beaded waist and sweetheart neckline.

The mother of the groom, the former Cindy Waguespack, chose an elegant floor length indigo blue chiffon gown with cap sleeves, a gently draped neckline and a sparkling gem brooch accent.

Following the wedding, family and friends joined the couple for a reception at Keith’s Ballroom in Eunice.

The bride’s cake was a four-tiered white amaretto confection with pecan praline filling. Each tier was adorned with a rhinestone brooch, and the cake was topped with fresh bridal flowers.

The groom’s cake was a yellow cake with chocolate icing decorated in an LSU theme and surrounded by chocolate covered strawberries drizzled in purple and gold.

Out-of-town guests at the wedding traveled from Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas and various points throughout Louisiana.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the parents of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at Cafe Vermilionville in Lafayette. Guests enjoyed corn and crab bisque, turtle soup, filet mignon, fish Acadien and roast quail.

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