Bethany Marie Bourgeois and Ryan Paul Vincent were united in Holy Matrimony at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Loyola University’s campus on September 22, 2007. The Reverend Monsignor Martin Van der Werff officiated. The bride’s father gave her hand in marriage. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lionel Paul Bourgeois of Jefferson Parish. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Paul Vincent of Kenner. Ryan, a Jesuit High School graduate, and Bethany, an Ursuline Academy graduate, both hold degrees in business from Loyola. New Orleans has been an enchanting wedding location for hundreds of years for couples to say “I do.” The couple’s invitation with an embossed Fleur-de-lis emblem, stylized by Abbey Printing, hinted at their wedding day’s esprit d’corps. Both native New Orleanians, Bethany and Ryan knew the city would be a perfect place for their September wedding. It was. The remarkable Saturday was underscored by the fact that Tropical Storm no.10 didn’t make it to the mouth of the Mississippi River on their special day, as one weather model had predicted it might; and it didn’t rain. An entourage of limos gave hint that something special was underway as the bride stepped out with her parents at her side. She wore an A-line, candlelight-colored long beaded wedding gown with cathedral train. Her cathedral-length veil with blusher was held by a comb of crystals and pearls appointed by her long-time hair stylist Jim Ward.
Her attendants, outfitted in shades of cinnamon and orange, were matron of honor Laura Loupe; bridesmaids Ashley Bourgeois, Brittany Bodin, Dr. Bethaney Vincent, Cheryl Mintz and My Bui. Junior bridesmaids were Alicia and Staci Johnson.
The groom’s attendants were his best man Nicholas Cavalier and groomsmen Brandon Gantar, Stanton Ripp, William Stegall Jr., Ryan Garin and Dominick Impastato III. Ushers included Micah Davis, Lloyd Joseph “L.J.” Falgout, III, Daniel Mullen, Dirk Mullen, Jason Songe, Jonathan Sunseri, Justin Touchstone and Hosie Bourgeois who escorted Ryan’s mother during the bridal party procession.
Ringbearers were Bethany’s nephews Blair Bourgeois and Xachary Bourgeois. All were outfitted in black tuxedos with matching candlelight accessories. Dr. Ralph Bourgeois, the bride’s godfather, Betty Ann Sunseri, the groom’s godmother, and Amanda Bourgeois, the bride’s cousin, read during the Liturgy.
Eucharist ministers were Calli Bodin, Julie Bodin and Acolyte Kevin Steel joined by altar server Michael Steel. The gifts were carried by Dr. Raymond Bourgeois, the bride’s uncle, Albert John “A.J.” Gantar, the groom’s godfather and the bride’s godmother, Marie Theresa Steel. A pillow designed by Julie Steel Bodin and made from the bride’s Baptismal and First Communion dresses was placed on the altar following the presentation of Gifts. The ceremony was accompanied by vocalist Trish Foti Genco, organist Randy Higginbotham and trumpeter Jeremy Brekke. Rounding out the wedding party were the bride’s grandmothers, Toudell Bourgeois and Gladys Steel, and the groom’s grandmothers, June Gantar and Ethel LeBlanc. Wedding coordinator Liz Broekman of Holy Name assisted in planning the program to incorporate brass selections honoring the couple’s late grandfathers Ferris Thomas Steel, Nolan “Pip” Bourgeois, and Albert John Gantar Sr.
The bride and groom’s first evening together, a decade ago, brought them to City Park after being introduced by friends Jennifer Culicchia and Stanton Ripp. The couple had also subsequently visited the New Orleans Museum of Art and Faberge exhibit during their courtship working on school projects which they count among their treasured memories. It came as no surprise that they chose the NOMA for their wedding reception. Here, their parents hosted family and friends from across the country. The reception included dancing to the music of Reunion Band of Denham Springs with feasting on culinary delicacies of Capdebosq Caterers of Marrero and Raceland. The large wedding cakes, with the groom’s a redfish and a speckled trout, were designed by Swiss Confectionery. Fresh flowers, including those on the four-tiered wedding cake, were selected by the bride and groom’s mother. Le Grand the Florist flew in the calla lilies for the church and NOMA from Holland, which especially pleased the bride. Monsignor Van der Werff is from Holland. Twenty years ago, he also officiated at the bride’s First Holy Communion. The fall arrangements and candelabras showcased an array of grand flowers and greenery including the white and bold orange calla lillies with roses and hydrangeas. The massive urns at the museum overflowed with countless stems of the Dutch floral finery.
The bride’s aunt, Melissa Waddell Bourgeois, announced the call-outs for the bridal party promenade on the steps of the Great Hall making way for the couple’s first dance. It was on a fun note, the couple offered, that the hand-tied bridal bouquet was caught by friend Jennifer Culicchia who traveled from out of state for the wedding. Friends Brandy Humphrey and parents Karen and Terrence helped the bridal party with many details leading up to and during the wedding and reception including the presentation of handkerchiefs and umbrellas for a memorable second-line on two floors of the museum.
All was captured by Fine Art Exposure and Keepsake Video. Following a honeymoon trip to Mexico, the newlyweds are living in Denham Springs, where Captain Vincent is the owner of the charter fishing company, Inshorance Charters, based out of Shell Beach.
