Nuptial Mass unites Andrus, Richard

Avery Elise Andrus and Landon Daniel Richard exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, during an evening Nuptial Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Lafayette.
Father Andrew Schumacher served as celebrant.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Whitcomb Andrus of Lafayette. Her mother is the former Michelle Jane Broadhurst of Lafayette. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Richard Jr. of Arnaudville. His mother is the former Denise Brasseaux of Lafayette. The late Mr. William Charles Broadhurst and the late Mary Jane Gates Romero and Mr. Dwight Wilbur Andrus Jr. and the late Nedra Ferne Reed Andrus are the grandparents of the bride. Mr. Daniel Richard Sr. and the late Florence Dupuis Richard and the late Mr. Ronald James Brasseaux and Mrs. Brenda Benoit Brasseaux are the grandparents of the groom.
In the vestibule of the cathedral, Eleanor Katherine Jones and Meryl Elizabeth Jones, cousins of the bride, greeted guests with programs. Andre John Hebert, Patrick Charles Roesch, Jordy Thomas Russo and Steven Mitchell Ashy Jr., friends of the groom and nephew of the bride, served as ushers.
Accompanied by Bach, Corelli and Mozart as the prelude, the bride’s mother was escorted by her uncle, Stanley Osterland Gates, while the groom escorted his mother to their respective family pews.
The procession of the wedding party began with “La Partenza” by Mozart and “Romanza” by Mozart as bridesmaids Whitney Andrus Ashy and Tyler Andrus Wied, sisters of the bride; Lainey Richard Fontenot and Dr. Lindsey Richard Landry, sisters of the groom; and Caitlin Bullen Brown, Alexis Ann Guidry, Abigail Marie Prejean and Dr. Brook Theresa Thibodeaux, close friends of the bride, entered, the cathedral. They joined groomsmen Brandon Scott Bergeron, cousin of the groom; Chip Joseph Landry and Joshua Dirck Fontenot, brother-in-laws of the groom; Treg Spencer Dore, Brax Karlon Guidry, John Michael Janice, Ty Anthony Patin and Andrew Jeffery Roesch, friends of the groom. Joel Anthony Plauche Jr. served as best man and Layne Andrus Robinson, served as matron of honor, following in procession. Flower girls were Grace Kathryn Ashy, Margaret Elizabeth Andrus and Allie Renee Vincent. Ring bearers were Ansley Collin Robinson Jr., William Robert Wied Jr. and David Gates Ashy.
The bridal attendants wore floor length dresses in matte oyster fabric with spaghetti straps and crossover skirts. They carried garden bouquets of roses, blue thistle, solidago and hydrangeas tied with satin ribbons.
The flower girls wore handmade ivory tulle tea length dresses trimmed in pearls. They wore headpieces made of gold jasmine intertwined with ribbons and crystals. The ring bearers wore cream linen short sets. The rings were carried in on a petit point pillow hand-worked by their maternal grandmother.
The gentlemen of the wedding party wore dark navy slim-fit tuxedos with matching formal trousers and boutonnieres of blue thistle and roses.
“Fireworks Overture” by Handel heralded the bride’s entrance on the arm of her father. The bride wore a gown with a fit to flare silhouette in a knit crepe white fabric adorned with a lace bodice and accented with a bow on the back. She wore her Andrus great-grandmother’s aquamarine and diamond ring as her something blue. A cathedral length veil completed her look. In her shoe was an antique sixpence, a gift from her maternal grandmother. She carried a bouquet of phalaenopsis orchids, dahlias, roses, blue thistle and blue hydrangeas. Entwined in the flowers was a strand of pearls, a gift from her paternal grandmother.
Following the celebrant’s welcome and opening prayer, readings were offered by Caleb Eads Andrus, cousin of the bride, and Hailey Hebert Huffman, close friend of the bride.
Musicians for the service were Jodi Bollich, soprano; Will Green, trumpet; Thomas Niel, organ; Lauren Baker, violin one; Sinella Aghassi, violin two; Susannah Knoll, cello; and Ray Theaux, timpani. The recessional, “Hornpipe” by Handel, followed the final nuptial blessings.
A reception immediately followed at the bride’s family land, Yolande Farm in Duson.
The evening preceding the ceremony, a rehearsal dinner, hosted by the groom’s parents, was held at Mazen Grill.
Following a honeymoon in Grenada, West Indies, the bride and groom will be at home in Breaux Bridge.