Stanford, Huff wed in outdoor ceremony in Amite

AMITE - The Berry Barn served as the picturesque setting on Friday, March 4, 2022, for an outdoor wedding ceremony uniting in marriage Brooke Elizabeth Stanford and Blake Paul Huff, both of Iota.
The bride is the daughter of Byron and Renae Stanford of Iota. Her grandparents are Pat Stanford of Egan, the late Alton Stanford, Denise Gravot of Lafayette, the late Frank Gravot, and Conrad and Lenora Meaux of Lafayette.
The groom is the son of Kelly and Jamie McHugh of Covington and Deanna Carpenter of Mandeville. His grandparents are Paula Huff of Mandeville, the late Paul Huff, Patricia Carpenter of Mandeville, the late Dewey Carpenter, and Patti and Kelly McHugh Sr. of Covington.
The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Pastor Gary Carder of River of Life Church, with musical selections provided by guitarist Ashley P. Gatte. Scriptures were recited by Amanda Schexnayder, Alana Bellon and Breanna Huff, sister of the groom.
Escorted by her father, the bride was radiant in an A-lined ballgown designed with a sweetheart neckline and full skirt. Completing the minimalistic ensemble was a full cathedral-length veil held by a beaded headpiece of pearls and gold and silver metal.
She carried a bridal bouquet of white hydrangeas and roses and eucalyptus with a memory detail. A baby bonnet handkerchief from the bride’s Baptism was folded and tucked into the bouquet.
Traditional items selected by the bride for her wedding day included her baby Baptism handkerchief as something old, her dress as something new, her mother’s pearl bracelet as something borrowed and her bridesmaids’ dresses as something blue. She also wore a sixpence in her shoe presented by her new mother-in-law, Jamie H. McHugh.
Attending her sister as matron of honor was Katelyn Claire Stanford May. Bridesmaids were Caroline E. Lormand and Kristyn P. Lormand, cousins of the bride; Kathryn E.Z. Speed, Kayla Miller and Brittany Bryant, friends of the bride; and Elyse McHugh and Anna McHugh, cousins of the groom.
Bridal attendants each wore a Birdy Grey floor-length gown of dusty blue crepe in various styles while carrying a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet.
Serving as flower girl was Anna Elyse Schexnayder, the bride’s godchild.
Attending the groom as best man was his cousin, Kristian Paul McHugh. Groomsmen were Brayden P. Huff, brother of the groom, along with friends Nicholas J. Zaunbrecher, Chase Thibodeaux, Chris Percy, Garrett Williams and Thomas Williams.
Ushering guests were Christian Leonards, friend of the couple, and Kelly McHugh, uncle of the groom.
The bride’s mother, Renae Gravot Stanford, selected a floor-length formal in a dusty blue shade designed with a blue-beaded bodice, quarter-length sleeves and tulle overlay.
She was presented with a single-stem white rose for the ceremony.
The groom’s mother, Jamie Huff McHugh, wore a floor-length formal in a navy blue shade designed with an off-the-shoulder styling and quarter-length sleeves.
She was also presented with a single-stem white rose for the ceremony.
Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the reception was held on site of The Berry Barn. The reception area held a rustic-chic decor with classic tulle drapes in multiple areas.
Of special interest was a memorial table with photos of deceased family members.
Among the refreshments was the bride’s cake, a traditional three-tier white confection with white buttercream frosting and filling topped with wedding flowers and a sign with the couple’s last name.
It was served by the bride’s godmother, Dana Daigle.
The groom’s cake table held a unique variety of desserts, including brownie bites, cookies, king cake and cheesecake bites.
In addition to Louisiana family and friends in attendance, guests attended the joyous event from points in Texas, Mississippi and Florida.
Following a wedding trip to the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Maui and Oahu, the couple will reside in Iota.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by Kelly and Jamie McHugh on Thursday, March 3, at The Greenery in Amite. Wedding party members and guests enjoyed a menu of steak tips, chicken Marsalis with all the trimmings.
The new bride is a 2016 graduate of Northside Christian School in Crowley, a 2020 graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a B.A. in lower elementary education and special education, and a 2021 graduate from LSU Shreveport with a master’s of education in curriculum and instruction.
She is employed as a fifth grade teacher with the Acadia Parish School Board.
The groom is a 2016 graduate of St. Paul Academy in Covington, 2020 graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. in animal science, and is currently engaged in rice and crawfish farming near the Iota area.