Alayna Ann Hains weds Lance Richard II

The historic Saint Leo IV Roman Catholic Church formed a picturesque setting on Saturday, May 29, 2021, for a 2 p.m. Nuptial Mass uniting Alayna Ann Hains of Lake Charles, formerly of Roberts Cove, and Lance Christopher Richard II of Lacassine in holy matrimony.
The bride is the daughter of John Elias Hains II and Ann Schneider Hains of Roberts Cove. Her grandparents are Ray and Pat Schneider of Roberts Cove and John and Beverly Hains of Crowley.
She is a 2013 graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish and a 2016 graduate of McNeese State University. She is presently employed by Ochsner Primary Care in Lake Charles.
The groom is the son of Lance Christopher Richard and Kim Middlebrooks Richard of Lacassine. His maternal grandparents are David and Barbara Middlebrooks of Richard. His paternal grandparents are Margaret Richard of Abbeville and the late Ronald Richard.
He is a 2009 graduate of Lacassine High School and a 2016 graduate of McNeese State University. He is employed by Louisiana Molding and Door, LLC, in Lake Charles.
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony was celebrated by Deacon Tim Ledet. Scripture readers were Elise Puissegur Dearien, cousin of the bride, and Taylor Spell DeMouy, friend of the bride.
Providing musical selections for the wedding ceremony were vocalist Victoria Gossen, cellist Kurt Farrington and violinist Brenna Andrus.
“Edelweiss” was played for the entrance of parents and grandparents, and “Butterfly Waltz” was heard for the bridal party entrance. The traditional “Trumpet Voluntary” was sounded for the bride’s entrance.
On the arm of her father, the bride was stunning in a Rivini Dara wedding gown of ivory Alençon lace and Spanish lace. The fit-and-flare dress was defined at the natural waist by a pearl belt, and the bodice featured a deep sweetheart neckline with a lace overlay and cap sleeves. The skirt of the gown, finished with a scalloped hemline, flowed into a chapel length train.
To complete her ensemble, the bride wore a cathedral length veil of silk illusion, notably outlined with a border of Alençon lace. The veil was held in place by a beautiful crystal and pearl hair comb accented in gold. As her jewelry, she selected pearl and crystal earrings that complemented her hair comb and a small pearl bracelet on her right wrist, a wedding gift from the groom.
The bride carried a garden gathered bouquet of seasonal sunflowers, Pink Floyd roses, safflower, blue delphinium, hypericum berries, blue thistle, Viking poms and a mix of eucalyptus and salal greens. The beautifully arranged bouquet was hand-tied with an ivory satin ribbon wrapped with an heirloom handkerchief and her maternal great-grandmother’s rosary, the same rosary carried by the bride’s mother 30 years ago on her wedding day.
Traditional items selected by the bride for her wedding day were lace appliqués from the wedding dresses of her mother and both grandmothers sewn into the lining of her wedding dress as “something old,” while her “something new” was her wedding dress and a sixpence coin presented to her on her wedding day by her father. “Something borrowed” included her maternal great-grandmother’s rosary and her bridal veil, loaned to her by her matron of honor. “Something blue” was a blue satin garter accented with tiny pearls from her mother’s wedding dress and designed by her maternal grandmother.
Attending the bride as matron of honor was Madelyn Boone Hulin, friend of the bride. Jaclyn Boone, also a friend of the bride, served as maid of honor.
Additional bridal attendants were Mallory Miller Gaspard, cousin of the bride; Addie Richard Clifton, sister of the groom; and Mallory Hardy Rasberry and Kimberly Ardoin, friends of the bride.
Each attendant wore a floor length gown of berry pink chiffon in a style selected by her and carried a hand-tied bouquet of Pink Floyd roses, sunflowers, blue thistles, delphiniums and a mix of eucalyptus and salal greens.
Serving as flower girls were Blaiklee Lormand, cousin of the bride, and Andie Rasberry, friend of the couple. Carrying small rustic baskets filled with spring flowers, they wore identical heirloom dresses of white voile fabric with high-waisted pin-tucked bodices. The waists and puffed sleeves were accentuated by bands of Swiss embroidered beading and ribbon trim, while the full, gathered skirts featured alternating bands of ecru Swiss embroidery and French lace. Wide embroidered edging completed the hemlines of the ankle length dresses.
Attending his friend as best man was Caleb Leleux. Standing as groomsmen were Micah Rasberry and Ross Hardy, friends of the groom; John “Trey” Hains III, brother of the bride; Ethan Richard and Gavin Middlebrooks, cousins of the groom; and Blake Smith, cousin of the bride.
The best man and groomsmen wore dark navy suits with suspenders, navy bow ties and white dress shirts. Small boutonnières were noted on their lapels.
Wesley Gaspard, godchild of the bride, and Ryan Richard, cousin of the groom, were ring bearers and were dressed in the same fashion as the groomsmen.
For her daughter’s wedding, the mother of the bride, the former Ann Schneider, wore a Vince Camuto scuba crepe gown in peacock blue. The fitted bodice featured an off-the-shoulder portrait neckline, while a cascading ruffle at the right side front completed the floor length dress.
The groom’s mother, the former Kimberly Middlebrooks, wore a navy blue floor length dress with a chiffon skirt overlay. Featuring a lightly beaded boat neckline, the bodice was marked by a sheer navy lace overlay that fell slightly below the waist.
Each mother was presented a delicate wristlet of miniature pink roses, sunflowers, blue thistle and salal greens.
Additional musical selections included “Avé Maria” for the presentation of roses to the Blessed Virgin Mary statue and the presentation of wristlets to the couple’s mothers and “Rondeau” for the departure of the newlyweds and the wedding party from the church.
Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds were honored during a reception held at Le Grand Hall in the Grand Opera House in Crowley.
A spring theme was carried throughout the venue, with the guest sign-in table decorated with a giant replica of the bridal bouquet and a signature book that included the couple’s favorite engagement pictures.
Guests registered from Texas, Alabama, Florida, Oregon and numerous cities throughout Louisiana.
Guest tables were draped in white floor length linens with varying heights of spring flowers displayed as centerpieces.
Of particular interest was a vintage hutch decorated with assorted greenery and used to display the wedding and anniversary pictures of the couple’s parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
Among the refreshments provided was the bride’s cake, a traditional three-tiered confection of simple design dressed with ivory buttercream and embellished with full blooms of Pink Floyd roses, sunflowers and blue delphinium blooms with greenery placed artfully flowing down the creation.
The cake also incorporated ribbon pulls featuring silver charms, with some of the bride’s closest friends and family members taking part in the unique Southern tradition.
A gold calligraphy “R” topped the bridal cake, while the bridesmaids’ bouquets surrounded the silver cake plateau. The cake was served by the bride’s godmother, Amy Smith.
The groom’s cake was a two-tier chocolate confection with white icing. The cake, adorned with emblems of the groom’s favorite sports teams, was made and served by his godmother, Beth Persicia.
Following their wedding trip to Universal Studios and Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the couple will reside in Lake Charles.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents on Friday, May 28, at the St. Leo IV Parish Hall. The evening menu consisted of beef brisket, rice dressing, green beans with bacon, bread and a cake for dessert.