Intimate double ring ceremony unites Hilliard, Corzo

The elaborate Magnolia Room located within the beautiful establishment of the Historic Townhouse in Lafayette set the mood for the intimate double ring ceremony uniting Jan Erin Hilliard and Mario Roberto Corzo as husband and wife. The couple exchanged vows amidst family and friends on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Reverend Brian Comeaux officiated the celebration.

The bride is the daughter of Thomas and Kaye Hilliard, Jr. of Crowley. She is the granddaughter of Flossie Monceaux of Crowley, Clara and the late Peter Haure of Rayne and the late Thomas and Elfredia Hilliard, Sr. of Crowley. Jan Erin is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is currently self employed.

The groom is the son of Mario and Yvonne Corzo of Opelousas and Ms. Kathleen Timmons of Houma. He is the grandson of the late Robert and Francis Esthete of Houma and the late Juan and Feliza Corzo of Guatemala. Mario is a graduate of Vanderbilt Catholic High School and Tulane University. He is currently employed as a landman.

The serenity of traditional wedding music preformed by Pianist, Kurt Boudreaux composed a tranquil mood for the bride’s entrance. She was radiant as she entered the room wearing a J. Crew, v-neck gown of ivory silk chiffon. The gown featured a fitted empire waist and a floor-length skirt that flowed gracefully as she was escorted down the aisle by her father. Her ensemble was completed with a show-stopping, triple strand, sterling silver necklace that consisted of a dazzling array of cubed Swarovski Crystal beads in a host of jewel tones. Amid the cascades of color, tiny renaissance pewter beads enhanced the “cube” theme as did the unusual square closure. This elegant creation was customized by Elizabeth Raffel of Spark Jewelry.

The bride’s daughter wore a coordinating single strand necklace while the bridesmaids wore bracelets and matching earrings depicting the same design. Her headpiece was a chapel-length veil of ivory illusion. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of vibrant summer colored blooms that included hot pink gerbera daisies, orange roses, purple tulips, ink blue delphinium and orange flame calla lilies.

In keeping with tradition, the bride wore a small silver crucifix tucked inside of her wedding gown that belonged to her mother as something old, her gown and necklace, a gift from her parents, was worn as something new, her veil, from her sister-in-law, was worn as something borrowed and her pedicure polish as something blue.

Attending the bride was her sister Jamie Hilliard, as maid of honor; and her godchild Blakley Schexnayder as her bridesmaid. Bridal attendants were each attired in an Ellie Tahari dress in royal blue crepe. The dress featured a v-neck, shirred bodice and waist with a street-length hemline. They carried a vibrant multicolored floral bouquet closely resembling the one carried by the bride.

Chosen to stand as best man was Robert Corzo, son of the groom; and groomsman was John Thomas Corzo, also son of the groom.

Upon entering the ceremony, guest were led to their seats by ushers Trey Hilliard, brother of the bride; and Chris Corzo, brother of the groom.

Serving as flower girl was Annulyn Istre, daughter of the bride. She was adorable in a tea-length dress of ivory tulle accented with a platinum sash at the waist. She carried a miniature version of the bridal bouquet. Samuel Corzo, son of the groom; served as ring bearer.

On her daughter’s special day, the mother of the bride, formerly Kaye Haure, was lovely in a flared, tea-length dress in royal blue crepe with a shirred neckline overlay. Completing her look was a crystal scatter necklace and platinum accessories. The groom’s mother, the former Kathleen Eschete, was ravishing in her ensemble of choice. She wore an aqua blue, off the shoulder, street-length dress of cameo with hand beaded accents on the sheer overlay. Silver accessories were worn to add a finishing touch. Both mothers were presented with a white orchid wristlet.

Immediately following the ceremony, guest were escorted to the intricately decorated Pecan Room of the Historic Townhouse where they were served a delicious meal. The meal consisted of catfish cardinale, pan seared chicken on a bed of corn, summer salad and vegetables dejour. For dessert, fresh summer fruits and wedding cake was enjoyed.

The tables were covered in white linens topped with a variety of vases that held floating garden flowers in stimulating hues. Each guest was treated with a small gift box of gourmet jelly beans placed at their seats with a note of thanks from the bride and groom.

Following the meal, everyone enjoyed dancing to the music of a Jazz trio led by Kurt Boudreaux. The bride and groom danced their first dance together as husband and wife to a romantic melody sung by Mary Dubois, sister of the groom.

The bride’s cake, made by Kelly Dees, was a one of a kind. The whimsical confection consisted of three square almond-mousse filled tiers with butter cream icing. Embellishing the creation was a variety of fondant flowers and textured stripes in a rainbow of bold colors. The groom preferred to have fresh fruit trays instead of a cake in his honor.

Out of town guest traveled from Crowley, Rayne, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Houma, Opelousas, New Orleans and Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona.

Upon returning from a wedding trip to Las Vegas, the couple will reside in Youngsville.

On the evening prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was held at Joey’s in Lafayette. Guest were served a menu of prime rib, stuffed flounder, chicken marsala, vegetables de jour, spring salad and wild rice pilaf, angel hair pasta, chocolate mousse cake and strawberry shortcake served in a white chocolate shell. The celebration was hosted by the groom’s father.