Bride fêted with afternoon shower

A large number of family and friends gathered on Saturday, March 31, for a traditional bridal shower held in honor of Toy Celestine of Lafayette.
Formerly a Carmouche, Toy is the bride of Johnell Celestine, and the couple was wed yesterday.
The 1 p.m. shower was held at Esprit de Coeur in Lafayette and was hosted by bridesmaids Jeremekia Amos, Danielle Cottonham, Crystal Carmouche Lee, Brittany Harrell, Ashlee Johnson, Ravyn Joseph, Nia Murray, Miranda Sam, Sierra Sapp, Shari Trahan, Jamaica Whitney and Chantel Williams.
The theme for the event was “Pastels and Pearls.”
The guest tables were topped with glass jars wrapped in decorative burlap and lace, some filled with pink and ivory roses interspersed with baby’s breath and others overflowing with pearls. There was also a large floral initial C to mark the bride’s new last name as Celestine, along with the letters of her first name created out of pink and white pearls accompanied by a decorative “Mrs.” sign.
The approximately 50 guests in attendance enjoyed a buffet-style spread of meatballs and sausages, fried drumettes, spinach dip, crawfish Florentine, meat pies and pinwheel sandwiches.
Guests also enjoyed a traditional shower cake that featured two tiers decorated in pastel yellow, blue, pink and green. The bottom tier was covered in confection roses and the top tier was graced with edible rhinestones. The confection was accented with silk flowers and topped with two intertwined silver hearts studded with rhinestones.
A highlight of the shower was a sweets table with all manner of desserts, including cupcakes iced in the same colors as the cake, strawberries covered in pastel chocolates, popcorn balls, pastel pink candy apples, pastel cake pops, pastel Rice Krispies treats and pretzels dipped in pastel chocolates.
Another highlight was a surprise visit from the groom, who came bearing a bouquet of roses in pastel colors and a pearl necklace and bracelet for the bride.
Guests played a large variety of games, with winners receiving nice door prizes.
Honored as a special guest was the bride’s grandmother, Beatrice B. Cain.
Out-of-town attendees traveled from Alabama, Texas and various points throughout Louisiana, including Lake Charles, New Orleans and Slidell.
Toy is the daughter of Myrtle R. Cain of Crowley and the late Joseph Alton Carmouche. Her grandparents are Beatrice Bashay Cain and the late Moses Cain Jr. and the late Theresa and Alton Carmouche.
Johnell is the son of John Celestine of Opelousas and the late Rosella Celestine. His grandparents are the late Albert and Selena Johnson and the late Latyon and Lovenia Celestine.