Whitney and Clark
Family has always been an important part of Whitney Rials Poché’s life. Her boyfriend of two and a half years, Clark Gaines, took that into account when he waited for a weekend when Whitney’s parents, Brenda and Tom Poché, came up to visit her in Columbus, Ohio. While Whitney and her mother spent the day at the spa, Clark took Tom out to lunch to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Once Tom gave Clark his blessing, Clark brought Whitney back to his apartment where flowers, candles and champagne were waiting. Clark got down on one knee and presented Whitney with a beautiful oval diamond ring and asked her to marry him.
The two met while Whitney was employed by Clark’s business where she sold ads for two of the Louisiana State University student publications in her last year of college. The two were attracted to each other and after a few short months; Clark gave Whitney an ultimatum: choose working for him or dating him. She made a decision that would change their lives forever!
The wedding weekend in Lafayette was one to remember. On Friday, the groomsmen and other out-of-town guests enjoyed a day of golf at Le Triomphe. That evening the groom’s parents, Sara and Howard Gaines, hosted a rehearsal dinner at Café Vermilionville on the backdrop of a gorgeous evening. A Cajun band played in the background while guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the courtyard with a seated dinner that followed. On Saturday, friends of the groom hosted a luncheon at the Jefferson Street Pub for out-of-town family and friends. It was a festive prelude for the wedding to come.
Whitney had always dreamed of getting married at First Baptist Church where she and her family attended services since she was a little girl. Whitney walked down the aisle in an ivory Italian silk, A-line, strapless Vwidon gown with draped detailing and a chapel train. She carried a fragrant white and crème bouquet with roses, peonies, freesia, lilacs, lilies of the valley and hydrangeas.
The bridesmaids wore two-piece, tea-length, strapless, chocolate brown dresses of dupioni silk, while the groomsmen donned traditional black tuxedos with vests and bowties.
Following the traditional ceremony, the reception was held in the Fleur de Lis Ballroom at The City Club at River Ranch. The décor was elegant with candles and wispy bouquets adorning the tables. Guests danced the night away to, Stormy of Baton Rouge and family friend Gene Preaus led a second-line parade through The City Club with family and friends following behind.
The wedding cake was a five-tier butter crème iced cake with satin sugar banding and a cascade of 1,000 pieces of hand-rolled, sculpted sugar flowers matching those in her bridal bouquet. The groom’s cake was a three-tier cheesecake, banded with sheets of white chocolate and topped with fresh strawberries.
The couple spent their wedding night at The Carriage House at River Ranch
and then honeymooned at the One & Only Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico
for a week.
The newlyweds will reside in Columbus, Ohio where Whitney is Human Resources Executive Team Leader for Target Corporation and Clark is Partner and CFO of University Media Group. •
Whitney with Brittany Emerson, Brei Delahoussage, Michal Poché, Emily Poché (flower girl), Lindsay Randon, Elizabeth McCormick and Brandi Degeyter.
Thomas and Brenda Poché, Whitney Rials Poché Gaines and Clark Gaines and the bride’s sister, Michal Poché.
The couple with: Jonathan LaNasa, Guy Rials, Michael Kenney, Bradley Ferrell, Douglas Enslin, Andrew Gaines, Bennett Bowers, Wayne Lewis, David Bruno and Brad Young.
The bride and groom with the groom’s brother, George Andrews Gaines, and the groom’s parents, Sara Boggs Gaines and Howard Clark Gaines.
