Joanna Benavides marries Joseph Richter

BY Dennis P. Kriewald

 

In a beautiful afternoon ceremony, Joanna Aurora Benavides became the bride of Joseph Lee Richter in St. Patrick's Church on Saturday, May 22.

Monsignor Thomas Davis, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, officiated at the double-ring ceremony and the nuptial Mass which followed. Dr. Gilberto Soto and his guitar ensemble provided musical selections before and during the Mass on classical guitars.

Miss Benavides, the daughter of José E. Benavides and Juanita S. Benavides, entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father as the congregation stood and the guitar duo played “Here Comes the Bride.” She was a vision of loveliness in her floor-length strapless satin gown with train, and on her head was an elbow-length veil held in place with a rhinestone coronet at the crown of her head.

Beading and crystals outlined the top of the bodice and extended around the gown's waist and down the length of the train. She wore a diamond pendant that belonged to her maternal grandmother, and she carried a bouquet of shell pink roses, a gift from Minerva Ramirez.

Her cousin, Trina Buckley Bratton, served Joanna as matron of honor. She wore a floor-length loden green gown and carried a long stemmed rose.

At the front of the church near the altar stood the groom, Joseph Richter, the son of David and Ginger Richter and grandson of Marjorie Richter and the late Francis Richter. Joe and his best man, his brother Zane, wore traditional black tuxedoes, as did the other men in the wedding party.

Participating in the ceremony were Daniel and Imelda Benavides, the bride's brother and sister-in-law, padrinos de lazo (the lazo was the one used by the bride's parents on their wedding day); Emmett and Lupita Howard, the bride's uncle and aunt were padrinos de arras ; and Ed and Sherry Holder, the groom's uncle and aunt, padrinos de libro y rosario .

Costumed in an elegant two-piece very light pink jacketed ensemble with a floor-length straight skirt and beading at the bottom of the skirt and the ends of the sleeves was the bride's mother, Juanita Benavides. The mother of the groom, Ginger Richter, wore a champagne color floor-length formal, and she wore a matching lace shawl across her shoulders while the groom's grandmother, Marjorie Richter, was attired in a pale pink cocktail dress with long sleeves.

Lectors at the ceremony included Alfredo and Thelma Guerra, long-time friends of the Benavides family, and Esther Buckley, the bride's cousin.

Samuel Bratton and Nicholas Pedroza served as ring bearers. Katiana Estrada and Yunnuen and Yannahi Olmedo were the flower girls, who were escorted by Sean Bratton and Rene Peña.

Presenting the gifts at the altar were Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Estrada.

Serving as ushers were Rene R. Benavides, the bride's brother, and Chad Richter, the groom's cousin.

A reception, seated dinner, and dance hosted by Mr. and Mrs. José E. Benavides followed the church ceremony in the Executive Club. Guests were greeted at the door by Mrs. Thelma Guerra and Mrs. Lupita Howard. There was a brass easel at the entrance holding a color portrait of the bride.

Waiters passed trays of hors d'oeuvres and goblets of wine prior to the dinner.

Tables were covered with white tablecloths, and chairs had white covers with pink tie backs. Each table had a centerpiece of spring flowers and scented candles. Two beautiful wedding cakes stood on a table near the front of the room. Baked by Holloway's Bakery, the bride's cake was an elegant four-tiered confection with white frosting covering the yellow cake with strawberry filling. Also by Holloway's, the two-tiered German chocolate groom's cake was frosted in dark chocolate and trimmed with curlicues, chocolate covered strawberries, and grape clusters. Waiters served slices of the two cakes later in the evening.

Dance music was provided by La Clave Orchestra. Mr. Benavides, the bride's father, offered a toast, to which everyone responded with sips of champagne. The nuptial couple danced the first dance, followed by the bride dancing with her father and the groom dancing with his mother-in-law. Then, the groom's father and mother danced with their son and new daughter-in-law.

An 11-piece mariachi, Los Arrieros, serenaded the bride and groom with traditional Mexican and ranchero music along with some non-traditional “oldies but goodies” such as “Stardust Melody,” “Moonglow,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco ,” and “In the Mood,” among others. Leading this fine group of musicians were Ray Peña and Joaquin Fernandez.

Out of town guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ed Holder, Mrs. Jenny Pedroza and son, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Cox and sons, Ms. Arlene Richter, Mr. and Mrs. Raul J. Moreno, Mr. and Mrs. José A. Gutierrez, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Bob Fitzgerald, Mr. Buck Fitzgerald and daughters, Mrs. Amanda Laurel Muñoz, Mrs. Norma Deeghan, Mr. James Pike, Mr. and Mrs. James Wells, Mrs. Gregory Donovan, Ms. Adriana Resendez, Mrs. Rosa Andon, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. David Inserra, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Blake, Ms. Catherine Buckley, and Mr. Christopher Buckley.