Miss Whitney Renée Freeland and Mr. John Peter Hensgens united in marriage during a ceremony in Abbeville, Louisiana

Miss Whitney Renée Freeland of Abbeville, Louisiana and Mr. John Peter Hensgens of Gueydan, Louisiana were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, Louisiana with the Very Reverend Louis J. Richard officiating the 6’oclock in the evening ceremony.
Whitney is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Edward Freeland of Abbeville, Louisiana. She is the paternal granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Alcee Freeland of Gueydan, Louisiana and maternal granddaughter of Michael Pierre Broussard and the late Connie Minvielle Broussard of Abbeville.
Whitney is a 2014 graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville and a 2018 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She is employed at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center of Lafayette in the Intensive Care Unit.
John Peter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Landry Hensgens of Gueydan, Louisiana. He is the paternal grandson of the late Nicholas and Doris Hensgens of Crowley, Louisiana and maternal grandson of the late Glady and Mary Trahan of Crowley.
John Peter is a 2013 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley, Louisiana. He is presently a local rice and crawfish farmer in Vermilion Parish.
Escorted by her father, Patrick Edward Freeland, the bride wore an ivory Martina Liana fit and flare wedding gown with a defined structure, complementing the slim silhouette effortlessly. The V-neckline with delicate straps was clean and fresh as it opened the décolletage for a gorgeous highlight to the upper body. To complete her dress was an elegant cathedral length train, fully adorned with fabric buttons, adding a timeless and traditional touch to the open back dress. As an added touch, Whitney wore an ivory cathedral length waterfall veil with a Malis-Henderson two-toned gold headpiece embellished with crystals creating a soft feminine appearance.
The bride carried a natural-looking clutch of white peonies, white ranunculus, ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica spray roses, Bonzi and Gunnii eucalyptus greenery. The bouquet was hand wrapped with antique white satin ribbon and accented with a keepsake locket containing a photograph of her paternal grandparents. In loving memory of her late grandmother, was a locket containing her picture as well as her rosary.
Serving as Maid of Honor was Anna-Marie Freeland, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids included Alexis Broussard, Halie David, Taylor LaPorte, Skylar Noel and Ana Leah Tribaldos. The bridesmaid dresses, designed by Amsale, were made of fluid satin in a beautiful shade of champagne. The evening gowns featured a drape neckline with an open back and finished with a formal fit and flare skirt. They carried a natural-looking clutch of white O’Hara garden roses, white ranunculus, ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica roses, hinted with Bonzi and Gunni eucalyptus greenery wrapped with antique white satin ribbon.
Ryann Mae Hoffpauir, daughter of Samuel and Amber Hoffpauir along with Eleanor Boudreaux, daughter of Reed and Liesl Boudreaux, served as flower girls. They wore white heirloom dresses adorned with antique ecru lace; custom made by the Mother of the Groom. The girls wore a crown of ivory Majolica spray roses and eucalyptus greenery accompanied by a matching bouquet of similar flowers and greenery.
Clint Reiners, friend of the groom, attended as Best Man. Groomsmen included William Heinen, Cecillius Hundley, Christian Hundley, Kade Petry and Caleb Zaunbrecher. Attending as ushers were the brothers of the groom, Nicholas Hensgens, Stephen Hensgens, Gabriel Hensgens and Matthew Hensgens.
Jack Hensgens, godchild of the groom, served as ring bearer. He carried a custom-made ring pillow made by the Mother of the Groom. He along with the groomsmen wore a traditional two button black tuxedo with suspenders and a black bow tie.
For the ceremony, Mrs. Laura Frank, godmother of the groom and Mrs. Anita Dupuis, aunt of the bride, read the scriptures.
The Mother of the Bride, Mrs. Andrée Broussard Freeland, was escorted by her father, Michael Pierre Broussard. She chose a gorgeous Teri Jon one shoulder evening dress featuring a statement side ruffle.  The sky-blue jacquard fabric featured gold detailing, elevating the flattering silhouette of the gown. The bride selected for her mother a delicate bouquet of ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica spray roses, white ranunculus, and a hint of Bonzi and Gunnii eucalyptus accented with antique white satin ribbon.
The Mother of the Groom, Mrs. Melanie Trahan Hensgens, was escorted by her husband, Keith Landry Hensgens, wearing a beautiful suit of steel gray dupioni silk adorned with crystal embellishments. She also carried a delicate bouquet of ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica spray roses, white ranunculus, and a hint of Bonzi and Gunnii eucalyptus accented with antique white satin ribbon.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Tommy Guidry, organist, Jared Gray on trumpet, Emil Ivanov on violin and soprano, Jennifer Melancon. The bride entered the church to Purcell Fanfare and Charpentier Te Deum.  Musical selections included Canon in D, Celtic Alleluia: and La Réjoissance by Handel was the recessional.  Jennifer Melançon sang Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Maria Zu Leiben, and the Ave Maria.
Guests were welcomed at the church by door spray swags of ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica spray roses, Italian ruscus and eucalyptus greenery then greeted with pew markers of white hydrangea and trailing eucalyptus greenery. Greeting the guests and handing out programs were Alyssa Noel and Sarah Hensgens wearing crowns of ivory Majolica spray roses and eucalyptus greenery.
Prior to the ceremony, a rehearsal dinner, hosted by parents of the groom, took place on Friday, April 16, 2021 at the Southern Oaks Country Club in Abbeville.
After the wedding ceremony, a formal outdoor reception was held at the bride’s family property. It included an elegant white tent adorned with chandeliers and lights strung throughout. Upon entering, guests were greeted with a hedge wall accented with wedding-themed flowers. In front of the wall, guests signed the register book, which was placed on a bar cart accented with flowers and candles to set the romantic, elegant style of the reception. Guest tables were decorated with candles and flowers coordinating with the bride’s bouquet. Louisiana Red provided entertainment for the evening.
The bride’s cake was a traditional three-tier cake, poised on a round silver plateau, with accents of white hydrangea, ivory Vendella roses, ivory Majolica roses, white O’Hara garden roses, white ranunculus, and eucalyptus greenery. The cake was topped with a Coupe de Marriage, a family heirloom, which was handed down by the bride’s maternal grandparents from their wedding fifty-eight years ago. The Coupe de Marriage was used for the newlyweds to toast each other. Serving the cake was the bride’s godmother, Mrs. Julie Guillot.
The groom’s cake was a chocolate cake frosted in various shades of tan and brown fondant, giving the appearance of a leather covering. The groom’s personal brand was in the center of the cake and the sides were decorated in an intricately detailed floral pattern. The cake was served by the godmother of groom, Laura Frank.
To honor the couple, guests threw rice harvested from the groom’s personal crop as they departed the reception in a 1964 Mercury Comet.
After their weeklong honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico, the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. John Peter Hensgens, will make their new home in Abbeville, Louisiana.