RIDGE - Nicole Desiree Vincent and Joey Joshua Bourque exchanged vows on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at sunset. Rip Van Winkle Gardens was the lovely location as the sun was setting in the beautiful gardens, which were in full bloom highlighted by explosions of color.

Irises, magnolias, hibiscus, camellias, azaleas, thousands of springtime bulbs and a breathtaking array of annuals painted a landscape across the southern sky. Deacon Marty Hoey, stepfather of the groom officiated the double ring ceremony under the big oak tree on Lake Peigneur. He recited scripture readings from the prayer book of the bride’s late grandfather, Percy Vincent.

Nicole is the daughter of Heulin David and Bernadette Vincent of Crowley. Her grandparents are Mildred Vincent and the late Percy Vincent and Nicrest Thibodeaux and the late Dorothy Guidry Thibodeaux, all of Crowley. Nicole obtained a bachelor’s degree from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While attending ULL, she was a Ragin’ Cajun cheerleader. She is currently employed by Acadia Parish School Board as a teacher.

Joey is the son of Anna and Marty Hoey and Allen and Mary Bourque, of Duson. His grandparents are Joseph Bourque and the late Eva Bourque and Helen Schexnayder and the late Clifton Schexnayder all of the Lafayette area. Joey is a graduate of Acadiana High School and attended ULL. He is owner of Acadiana Environmental, Inc.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore a beautiful organza sweetheart neckline gown. It was encrusted with a gorgeously beaded and scalloped lace over the entire bodice, which then cascaded down past the waist to embellish the entire bottom of the skirt and finish off the cathedral length train. The gown featured a uniquely beaded satin belt with a cluster of bead work featuring Swarovski crystals and gemstones that highlighted the waistline. Her headpiece was an ivory sheer waist length veil positioned in the back of her head. Nicole carried a bouquet consisting of wedding hydrangeas and roses. A rosary that was given to her by her parents when she was young was intertwined within the bouquet.

Following the traditional wedding rituals, Nicole’s rosary was considered something old and her dress, something new. She borrowed her mother’s garter and her rosary, given to her by her parents, was blue.

Her matron of honor was her friend, Ashley Mallory, and her maid of honor was her sister, Breann Elizabeth Vincent. Nicole’s bridal attendants were Amanda Bailey, her friend; Monique Hoey, sister of the groom; Renee Hoey Andrews, sister of the groom; and Paige Alexis Vincent, godchild of the bride. They wore buttercup yellow chiffon sweetheart neckline, knee length dresses. The attendants carried roses and wedding hydrangeas accented with greenery.

The best man was Rocky Theaux, friend of the groom. His groomsmen were Baylin Bourque and Alex Bourque, brothers of the groom; Nick Vincent, brother of the bride; and Kylon Leger and Amir Francis, friends of the groom. Serving as ushers were Damian Petry and John David Wilkinson, also friends of the groom.

The flower girl was the godchild of the bride, Paisley Alise Vincent. The ring bearer, Ethan Breaux, is the nephew of the groom.

Bernadette Thibodeaux Vincent, mother of the bride, chose a strapless champagne formal dress with a champagne lace bolero jacket.

Anna Schexnayder Hoey, mother of the groom, wore a peach formal dress.

Both ladies were adorned with wedding hydrangeas.

Rip Van Winkle Gardens’ Wedding House in Jefferson Island was the venue for the reception following the ceremony. Roses, wedding hydrangea and pale green hydranges were used to decorate along with ivory candles in vases. Ferns and other greenery were also scattered throughout the lovely reception. Out of town guests traveled from Florida, Georgia and Texas.

The bridal cake was a four tier confection of amaretto and strawberry filling with brown ribbon around each layer and wedding hydrangeas and pale green hydrangeas were placed on top and flowing down the side of the cake. The cake was made by Cakes by Georgette Gaspard, the aunt of the bride.

The groom’s cake was a strawberry creme filled cake drizzled with chocolate fudge and decorated with half and half LSU and Saints fleur-de-lis design, depicting the groom’s favorite past time of attending sporting events.

Georgette Gaspard, who is also godmother of Nicole, served the cakes to the guests.

After the reception, the couple traveled to Playa Mia, Mexico for their honeymoon. Afterward, they will reside in the Ridge area.

On April 28 at 6 p.m. a rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents was held at Riverfront restaurant.