Nuptial Mass unites Smith, Ohlenforst

RAYNE - Brittany Elizabeth Smith and John Thomas Ohlenforst, both of Crowley, were joined as man and wife during a 7 p.m. Nuptial Mass held at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Rayne on Friday, April 5. Father Allen Breaux celebrated the Mass.

Brittany is the daughter of Karen and Tony Matthews of Crowley and Mica and Jason Smith of Rayne. She is the granddaughter of Lucille and Al Hebert of Crowley and John Smith and the late Thelma Smith of Rayne. Her great-grandparents are Helen Thevis and the late Joseph Thevis, and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hebert.

John is the son of Gretchen and Jude Ohlenforst of Crowley. He is the grandson of Thomas Gray and the late Lyn Gray of Crowley, and Philomena Ohlenforst and the late John Ohlenforst of Rayne.

The bride graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in 2007 before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is currently employed as a Registered Nurse at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.

The groom also graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in 2007. He is presently self-employed as a rice farmer.

Guests were ushered to their seats by Brandon Leger, Brice Nickel, Andrew Mouton and Randal Schmid, all friends of the groom.

Musical selections for the Mass were performed by vocalist Vanessa Benoit, violinist Esther Tyree, organist Dexter Thibodeaux and trumpeter Jared Gray.

Escorted to the altar by her father, Jason Smith, Brittany was gorgeous in a breathtaking full-length gown of rich beaded ivory lace over light gold satin. The fitted bodice featured a slightly scooped neckline, and the gown’s slim silhouette was defined at the waist by a ruched satin band embellished with a beaded floral motif applique. The back of the dress was completed by a row of satin-covered buttons running from the top of the bodice to the bottom of the skirt, which flowed into a semi-cathedral train.

For her headpiece, Brittany selected a cathedral-length veil trimmed in ivory satin.

She carried a clutch bouquet of fresh white hydrangeas, ranunculus and antique green hydrangeas handtied with ivory ribbon and antique lace holding a monogrammed heirloom handkerchief and rosary that belonged to her late grandmother.

Mattie Harmon, friend of the bride, served as maid of honor. The bride was also attended by her friends, Laurin Casanova, Jeanne Marie Maraist, Lana Smith and Christy Lawson. The bride’s sister, Kennedy Smith, and stepsister, Annie Matthews, served as junior bridesmaids.

The bridal attendants were clad in sleeveless knee-length dresses in bellini pink dupioni silk. The scoop necklines were complemented by vertical tucks at the waist, with single horizontal bands defining the natural waistlines.

The junior bridesmaids were attired in the same dresses with contrasting antique ivory waistbands.

All of the bridesmaids carried clutches of fresh white hydrangeas.

Flower girls were Aylie Gray, Ellis Gray and Helena Gray, all cousins of the groom.

William Ohlenforst, brother of the groom, served as best man. André Broussard, Bryan Leger, Tyler Meche and John Ed Hundley, all friends of the groom, stood as groomsmen.

Scriptures were read by Mica Smith, stepmother of the groom, Tammy Stutes, godmother of the bride and Claudia Thornton, godmother of the groom,

Offertory gifts were presented by the bride’s cousin, Meredith Stutes; the groom’s cousin, Page Gray; and the bride’s friend, Leah Johnson.

For her daughter’s special day, the mother of the bride, the former Karen Hebert, chose a hand-woven Thai silk dress by Marisa Baratelli. The rich sapphire blue gown featured an off-the-shoulder neckline with ruched ruffling.

The groom’s mother, the former Gretchen Gray, wore a knee-length, one-shoulder charcoal gray satin dress with pleated detailing and beaded embellishment at the waist.

Both mothers wore corsages of white ranunculus and seeded eucalyptus wrapped with ivory ribbon and vintage lace.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at The Crossing at Mervine Kahn in Rayne.

The vintage venue was romantically decorated, with guests entering under a canopy created by lighted trees attached to the antique wood pillars flanking the entryway. Larger tables were adorned with tall centerpiece arrangements of large antique hydrangeas billowing over the tops of crystal vases. Guest tables were topped with vintage aqua blue Mason jars filled with apricot ranunculus and baby’s breath.

The bride’s cake was an elegant four-tiered confection with multiple fondant bands surrounding each tier. It was decorated with ivory gumpaste carnations and served by the bride’s godmother.

The groom’s cake was a replica of a crawfish platter filled with edible hand-molded crawfish, corn and potatoes. It was served by the groom’s godmother.

On the evening prior to the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Crowley Town Club.

Following a wedding trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Brittany and John will reside in Crowley.