Mendoza-Venable wed April 25 at Houmas House Plantation

Laken Elizabeth Mendoza and Kyle Matthew Venable were married April 25 during a 4:30 p.m. double-ring ceremony at Houmas House Plantation in Darrow. The Rev. Andrew Murrell officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Cary and Denise Mendoza of Berwick. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip DiBenedetto Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Venable, all of Baton Rouge.
For the outdoor ceremony, accents of Spanish moss and bouquets of white and cream roses, white hydrangeas and oriental lilies accented with cream bows adorned each row of chairs placed on the front lawn of the plantation. A small antique table placed on the veranda displayed the unity candle.
Music was by vocalist Judy Davis.
Escorted in marriage by her father, the bride was attired in an ivory lace and tulle gown designed with a sweetheart neckline and a bodice with embroidered lace with metallic threading. The bodice featured a band accented with a jeweled motif. The full, softly gathered skirt was accentuated with cascading lace appliques that lead to an embroidered, metallic lace hemline with scalloped edging and a chapel-length train.
Gracing her head was a cathedral-length veil with scalloped-lace edging that mimicked the gown’s hemline.
She carried a bouquet of white and cream roses, and ranunculus accented with greenery and crystals. The ivory ribbon stem-wrap was complemented with pearls belonging to her grandmother, the late Virgie Guerin.
Alicia Hebert was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Tiffany Pontesso, Kristen Overall, Alicia Leonard, Sara Soto, Jackie Ball, Whitney Tiemann, Andre Guidry and Nicole Gallardo.
Bridal attendants each wore a full-length dress of cappuccino lux chiffon with a full, shirred skirt. Each attendant selected a different neckline style.
They each carried a bouquet of hand-tied white and ivory roses, and white peonies accented with greenery and scabiosa pods.
Flower girl was Greysen Pontesso, niece of the bride. Preston Overall, nephew of the groom, was ringbearer.
Evan Venable served his brother as best man. Groomsmen were Kenny Pontesso, Devon Overall, Seth Dauzat, Antonio Joseph, Billy Gallardo, Shawn Miller, Joe McGregor and Johnny Cangelosi Jr.
A reception followed in the Houmas House Plantation Neptune Ballroom and Gardens.
Tables were decorated with hurricane globes and candles with arrangements of oriental lilies, cream and white roses, and hydrangeas set around the base of the globes. Centering the buffet table was a large silver vase with ivory and white flowers, greenery, decorative branches and Spanish moss. The sign-in and favor table was decorated with burlap and moss, and adorned with a photo of the bride and groom, and small jars of honey accented with burlap and organza set in wooden crates that were guest favors.
The bride’s five-tiered cake was an elongated-octagon confection covered in ivory almond fondant. Each tier was custom designed by the bride and groom. The center tier featured the couples’ monogram. Fondant magnolias adorned the top of the cake.
The groom’s three-tiered cake represented the groom’s time in the U.S. Marine Corps by depicting the Marine Corps’ dress blue uniform with the hat as the top layer.
Prior to the wedding, all the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Houmas House Plantation.
The bride is a graduate of Morgan City High School and Louisiana State University. She is a sales representative with Glazers of Louisiana.
The groom is a graduate of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge. He is a combat veteran with the Marine Corps, having served two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a process operator with Methanex in Geismer.
They honeymooned on a private island located in the Maldives and reside in Baton Rouge.