Couple wed in candlelight nuptial mass

The sound of trumpets announced the entrance of Bethany Gail McDaniel, bride-elect of Joshua John Webb, in St. Peter Catholic Church Saturday, June 14, 2008. In a solemn, impressive candlelight ceremony, the couple received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at 7 p.m.

The new bride is the daughter of Phil and Ranella Lounsberry McDaniel of Gueydan. The groom’s parents are J.C. and Suzy Blalock Webb of Crowley.

Officiating at the ceremony were Father Mitchell Guidry, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Gueydan and Father Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley.

The bride’s grandparents are Charles and Audrey McDaniel, and Beverly Lounsberry and the late Robert Lounsberry, all of Gueydan.

Grandparents of the groom are John and Louise Webb and the late Roland and Zell Blalock, all of Crowley.

Readers were Aimee Langham, and Michelle Frederick, cousins of the groom. Presenting the gifts at the Offertory were Robert Lounsberry and Cheryl Benefield, godparents of the bride and Charles and Helen Schmaltz, godparents of the groom.

Program presenters were Lindsey Lounsberry, cousin of the bride and Nicole Sonnier, the groom’s niece and Alex Hains, nephew of the groom.

The bride was given to her groom at the main altar of the church by her father, who was attired in a black tuxedo by Doni Barassi. The father of the groom wore an identical tuxedo to that of the bride’s father.

The bride spoke her vows in a gown of white, French silk taffeta. The shirred, empire bodice featured a sweetheart neckline accented with scalloped edge embroidery ending in a beaded medallion cluster at the waist. Her simple, full-circle skirt cascaded into a cathedral train, which was accented with buttons and beads running down the center. A veil of imported illusion complimented her bridal attire. She carried a bouquet of white peonies and white feathers, scattered with rhinestones. The arrangement was encircled with white satin ribbon from which streamers of single strand rhinestones flowed.

Attending the bride as her matron of honor was Stephanie Webb, sister-in-law of the groom. Her maid of honor was Trudy Leonards, long time friend of the bride. Bridesmaids included Hannah LeJeune, cousin of the bride; Jennifer Hains, sister of the groom, and Amanda Richard and Kasey LeJeune childhood friends of the bride.

Junior bridesmaid was Kelsey McDaniel, sister of the bride. Flower girl was Meah LeMaire, the bride’s cousin.

The bride’s attendants wore palest pink, tea length taffeta gowns overlaid with bobbinet. Triple bands of chocolate-colored ribbon encircled the hemlines and waistlines.

The same chocolate-colored ribbon formed the straps on the bodices. They wore dyed-to-match pink slippers. They carried pink satin-covered cones overlaid with brown bobbinet containing pink roses and Calla Lilies accented with rhinestones.

The program presenters were dressed identically to the female bridal attendants except the gowns of the presenters were brown, and the ribbon trim was pink.

Best man to the groom was his brother, James R. Webb. Groomsmen were Michael Marceaux, the bride’s cousin; Colby McDaniel, brother of the bride; Andrew Hains, the groom’s nephew, and Todd Gonzales and Jessie LeJeune, close friends of the groom.

Junior groomsman was Griffin Hains, the groom’s nephew. Ringbearer was Gabriel Hains, another nephew of the groom.

Ushering guests to their seats in the church were William Benefield, uncle of the bride; Robert J. Lounsberry, the bride’s godfather; Ronald Hebert, uncle of the groom, and Keith Henry, close friend of the groom.

The groom wore a Jean Yves Parisian tuxedo, the color of dark chocolate. A white silk shirt and matching tie completed his total look.

The groomsmen wore identical deep chocolate-colored tuxedos and white silk shirts. Accenting their attire were soft pink vests and pink neckties to compliment the bridesmaids’ gowns.

Ranella McDaniel, mother of the bride, chose a designer gown by Montage. The aqua iridescent strapless gown of taffeta and illusion was enhanced with an asymmetrical pleated bodice with embroidered and beaded appliqued waistline. Her draped, dark taupe, full skirt and lace bolero perfectly completed her attire. Taupe colored, dyed-to-match slippers were an outstanding final touch.

The groom’s mother wore a short sleeve taupe-colored, tiptoe length gown with lace bodice and pencil slim crepe skirt.

The bride’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. Lounsberry, wore a stunning, waltz length gown of coral silk mikado. A fitted long sleeve jacket was pinned with an exquisite rhinestone brooch at the waist. Soft, silver, silk sandals completed her attire.

Mrs. McDaniel, the bride’s paternal grandmother, wore an attractive off-white, two-piece pantsuit with gold slippers and gold jewelry.

Mrs. John Webb, the groom’s grandmother was radiant in a pale pink designer, two-piece suit with matching pink slippers.

Following the church service the bride and groom were driven to a reception at Gueydan Civic Center, in a horse-drawn open carriage. Guests entered the large, candle-lighted ballroom through a massive latticed archway entwined with pink and white roses accented with poufs of pink tulle.

After signing a guest register at the entrance to the center, guests walked through a second, more massive and more elaborately-decorated archway.

They entered a candle-lit floral garden, complete with white Roman columns. Throughout the ballroom were groupings of chairs and circular tables overlaid with white cloths and topped with arrangements of pink and white peonies, crystal candelabras and lighted tapers.

Sixteen Roman columns bearing slim, crystal, fluted vases filled with crystal baubles and topped with massive arrangements of pink and white roses were placed at various points of interest.

White Calla lilies were also placed at various vantage points throughout the reception area.

The ballroom resembled a garden of pink floral topped trees. Throughout the entire area were miniature white lights and lighted tapers.

An elongated, white, linen-covered table held the four-tiered white-iced wedding cake. A giant topiary formed from candied icing was enriched with cascading peonies and rhinestones.

Placed at one end of the table were champagne services and other various beverages.

On the groom’s table was a cake replica of the LSU Tiger Stadium.

The guests danced the night away to the music of a DJ.

The new Mrs. Webb is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in the class of 2005. She is currently attending Louisiana State University at Eunice, majoring in business management.

The groom graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2004 and has also attended Louisiana State University at Eunice, where he earned an Associate Degree in Graphic Design. He is currently employed by Street Designs in Crowley.

Following a wedding trip to Hawaii, the new Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Webb will be at home in rural Gueydan.

Mrs. Joshua Webb