Rieth, Trahan wed in evening Nuptial Mass

CROWLEY - St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley was the setting for the Nuptial Mass uniting Elsie Nicole Rieth and Dr. Maxie Alexander Trahan in marriage on Saturday, June 1. Father Gary Schexnayder celebrated the 6:30 p.m. Mass.

The bride is the daughter of Patti and Frank Barovechio Jr. and Christopher Rieth Sr., all of New Orleans. Her maternal grandparents are Gwen Gilthorpe Wedig and the late Bill Gilthorpe. Her paternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Chester Rieth Sr., all of New Orleans.

Nicky is a graduate of Cabrini High School and attended the University of New Orleans. She is employed by Swift Worldwide Resources in Oil and Gas recruiting.

The groom is the son of Esther and Larry Trahan of Crowley. He is the grandson of the late Lou Breaux and Harry Breaux, and the late Marie and Maxie Trahan, all of Crowley.

Dr. Trahan is a graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish. He holds a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from Louisiana State University, a Masters of Public Health and a Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Trahan is completing a general surgical residency at Tulane University in New Orleans.

As guests were ushered to their seats by Dr. John Carter, Dr. Ryan Chastant and Patrick Broussard, friends of the groom, and Martin Rieth, brother of the bride, traditional prelude music was provided by Alberta Lyons, organist; Will Green, trumpeter; Yang Yang Li, violinist; and Jodi Bollich, vocalist. Selections included “Air on the G-String” and “Arioso” by Bach and “Hymne” by Vangelis.

During the ceremony, scripture readings were proclaimed by Martin Rieth, brother of the bride, and Glenda Danna Broussard, aunt of the groom.

The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Sonia Morton, friend of the couple.

Offertory gifts were presented by Dr. Kelly Gilthorpe Burkenstock and Kevin Rieth, godparents of the bride; Wes Bertrand, brother-in-law of the groom; and Carolyn Trahan Bertrand and L.J. Dailey, godparents of the groom.

Serving as Eucharistic minister was Pam Eagan, aunt of the bride.

“Ave Maria” by Schubert was played as the grandmother and mothers of the couple were escorted to their seats.

The bride’s mother, the former Patti Gilthorpe, was lovely in a floor-length creation of midnight blue dupioni silk. The fitted gown was ruched from bodice to hip and topped by a ruffled bolero jacket. She chose midnight blue shoes and accessories.

The groom’s mother, the former Esther Breaux, chose a latte gown by Alex Evenings. The satin and chiffon creation fell in tiers from the bodice and was complemented by a three quarter sleeve jacket. The dress and jacket were embellished with bronze beading and embroidery and worn with bronze shoes and accessories.

Bridal attendants made their entrance to “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach.

The bride’s closest friend, Mary Beth Broussard, served as maid of honor, while bridesmaids included Marcelle Robards and Sara McGinnis; friends of the bride, Zoe Barovechio; sister of the bride; and Noelle Bertrand Johnson, niece of the groom, and Amelia Bertrand, godchild and niece of the groom.

The attendants were attired in floor-length gowns of blush chiffon. The strapless sweetheart necklines were crossed with soft pleating and the waists were accented by sashes of bisque satin.

They carried clutch bouquets of hydrangeas and roses and wore pearl accessories, gifts from the bride.

The bride’s cousin, Irene Weese, served as junior attendant and wore a tea-length dress of ivory dupioni silk, featuring a fitted satin bodice with pearl beading and complemented by an organza bow.

Ainsley Trahan, cousin of the groom, served as the flower girl. Her dress was an ivory ballerina gown with satin bodice and full tulle skirt finished with a lace sash.

With trumpets sounding, the bride entered the church to the majestic “Prince of Denmark’s March” by Purcell. The bride was escorted to the altar by her step-father, Frank Barovechio Jr.

She was a picture of loveliness in a full-length ivory gown in classic A-line silhouette from Enzoani Blue Collection. The fitted bodice featured a sweetheart neckline and drop waist with delicate lace overlay. The lace was repeated in appliqués on the full tulle and organza skirt and along the hem. The back of the gown was finished with satin covered buttons and flowed into a chapel train.

For her head piece the bride selected a cathedral-length veil of ivory tulle created by her mother. Around her neck, she wore a custom-made gold cross, a gift from the groom.

The bride carried a clutch bouquet of fresh white hydrangeas and sweet akito pink roses, hand tied with ivory ribbon. A rhinestone brooch that belonged to the groom’s late maternal grandmother was used to finish the bouquet

In keeping with tradition, the bride incorporated “good luck” items into her wedding attire. The groom’s late grandmother’s brooch served as something “old” and “borrowed.” Her wedding dress and veil were “something new.” She carried a white handkerchief embroidered with her name and new initials “in blue,” a gift from her mother. A coin of the year of her birth was affixed to her shoe.

Serving as best man to the groom was his close friend, Michael Enlow. Groomsmen included Christopher Rieth Jr., the bride’s brother; Bill Trahan, the groom’s cousin; Dr. Bradley Johnson, the groom’s nephew-in-law; and Jeremy Weaver, Andrew Morton and Dr. Patrick Saita, all friends of the groom.

Ring bearers were Bradley and Jack Weese, cousins of the bride.

All were clad in formal black tuxedos pinned with white rose boutonnieres.

A special moment during the Mass was a vocal duet of “Panis Angelicus” by Franck sung during the communion procession by the groom’s sister and godmother, Carolyn Trahan Bertrand, and his godfather, L. J. Dailey.

The couple departed the church to “Rondeau” by Mouret. Guests continued to the reception hosted by the bride’s parents at Le Grand Hall of the historic Grand Opera House of the South.

The venue was awash in the light of votives surrounding mercury glass vases of various sizes filled with hydrangeas and roses gracing the guest tables. Pictures of the couple were displayed throughout the space.

Guests, who traveled from Texas, Colorado, New York, Mississippi and Florida, enjoyed a sumptuous buffet and danced to the music of Louisiana Red.

The bride’s cake, presented on a silver pedestal, was a four-tier creation iced with smooth fondant, filled with raspberry-Bavarian cream and adorned with drop pearl and lace decorations and the couple’s monogram.

In a nod to an old Victorian New Orleans’ tradition, the bride placed charms of luck and good fortune into the bottom layer of her cake. In the customary fashion of a “cake pull,” her bridesmaids and friends pulled satin ribbons attached to the charms just before the cake was cut. The cake was served by the bride’s godmother, Dr. Kelly Gilthorpe Burkenstock.

The groom’s cake, a surprise from his bride, was a red velvet realistic creation of the couple’s miniature English bulldog, sporting an LSU collar and stethoscope. On display beside the cake was a canvas print of the couple’s engagement picture which included their special “Mammabug.” The cake was served by the groom’s godmother, Carolyn Trahan Bertrand.

The couple departed the reception under a shower of bubbles for a honeymoon trip to Antigua. They will reside in New Orleans while Dr. Trahan completes his residency program.

A rehearsal supper was hosted by the groom’s parents on Friday evening in The Grand Ballroom of the Grand Opera House of the South catered by the Rice Palace of Crowley. Guests enjoyed cocktails and a plated supper menu of spring mixed salad, beef tenderloin, haricot vert, and garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert was a rich red velvet cheesecake.