Party Girl

Party Girl 03.21.12

We were anticipating an emotional introduction of the happily engaged couple, but Kiki Frayard really threw us all for a loop.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

We were anticipating an emotional introduction of the happily engaged couple, but Kiki Frayard really threw us all for a loop.

"I want to thank everyone for coming. You have no idea how special your presence is to us," Kiki said, standing in the gazebo behind her Phillip Avenue home. "When we first planned a party to announce the forthcoming marriage of Katie and Denny, little did we realize how forthcoming it would be. As Katie and Denny looked over the list of everyone who would be here tonight, they realized that these were the most important people in their lives. So on Feb. 20 they decided not to wait until Sept. 29, but to get married tonight. Right here, right now, with you - our dearest friends and closest family," Kiki said, her voice cracking and tears flowing. "So it is with a mother's overwhelming pride and unimaginable love that I invite you to bear witness to the marriage of Katie and Denny."

The March 17 wedding of Lafayette retailer Katie Frayard and photographer Denny Culbert was the best-kept secret in Lafayette.

Escorted by her father, Rick, Katie wore her "something blue," the appropriately named Rag & Bone "Ceremony" silk dress (kiki in River Ranch will be carrying the line this fall). Morrocan navy silk, the vintage style dress was trimmed with perforated black banding throughout and tone on tone stitching.

Katie's best friend, Rien Fertel, became an ordained minister just so he could marry the couple. Rien is a food writer, who often teams up on assignments with Denny, and also teaches at Tulane.
Lost Bayou Ramblers Louie and André Michot and deejay André Broussard provided the musical entertainment, with food by Charley G's and flowers and staging by Liz Dejean and Brian Crutchfield and Event Rental. The entire night was executed to perfection.
The newlyweds are driving Hwy. 1 from Los Angeles to Napa Valley.

1. Julie and Bill Knox, Denny's parents 2. Kiki and Rick Frayard, Katie's parents 3. Andre and Louie Michot 4 and 5. The crowd reacts to Kiki's news of a wedding 6. Travis Frayard, Michelle Cisneros, Bill Capell, William and Cammy McGehee, Brad Landry and Rachel Nederveld 7. André Broussard (Photo by Rick Frayard) 8. Rien Fertel with the couple 9. Denny and his new in-laws (Photo by Richard Young) 10, 11 and 12. The newlyweds