Rachel Margaret Conti and Christopher Bruzee were united in marriage on July 23, 2011 at 1 p.m. The full Catholic Mass and double-ring ceremony held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk was officiated by Father Thomas Wopperer.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Conti of Fredonia. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Bruzee of Phelps, N.Y.
The bride was escorted by her father. She wore an ivory bridal gown designed by Sophia Tolli. The A-line strapless gown was a blend of soft satin and organza. It featured a satin bodice with a rich Swarovski crystal beaded neckline, criss-cross draping, dropped waistline and corset back. Elegant brooches and embroidery accented the organza pickup skirt that featured a chapel length train. The bride also wore a two-tiered fingertip-length veil, bordered in Swarovski crystals. She carried a bouquet of white and purple roses.
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Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Bruzee
Wedding soloist was Phillip Ebert accompanied by Thomas Gestwicki and Gary Gilroy. Music was also provided by Jennifer Jansen, violin; Brian Walnicki, viola; and Bryan Eckenrode, cello.
Maids of honor were Jennifer Conti of Rochester, and Melissa Conti of Vestal, N.Y., both sisters of the bride. They wore Alfred Angelo chiffon and satin cocktail-length purple dresses with ivory accents.
Bridesmaids were Leah Burch of East Bethany, N.Y., Jessica Colvenback of Buffalo, Kimberly Overbeck of Lancaster, Lynn Buehlmann of Blasdell and Jean Mayfield of Guilderland, N.Y., all friends of the bride and groom. The bridesmaids wore Alfred Angelo chiffon and satin cocktail-length purple dresses with buttercup yellow accents.
The flower girl was Rylee Burch of East Bethany, goddaughter of the bride and groom
Best men were Aaron Burch of East Bethany and Doug Theilman of Williamsville, friends of the bride and groom. Groomsmen included Eric Rockefeller of Waltham, Mass., friend of the groom; Ryan Tracy of Buffalo, friend of the bride and groom; Chad Gingerich of Cheektowaga, friend of the bride and groom; Timothy Phillips of Phelps, friend of the groom; and Ryan Hasenauer of Buffalo, friend of the bride and groom.
The reception was held at Salvatore's Italian Garden Restaurant in Depew.
The bride is a 2001 graduate of Fredonia High School. She graduated Cum Laude in 2005 from Medaille College with a degree in elementary education. She also received her master's degree in literacy from Medaille College in 2007. She is currently in her seventh year of teaching sixth grade at Bay Trail Middle School in Penfield, N.Y.
The groom is a 2001 graduate of Midlakes High School. He is a 2005 graduate of Medaille College with a degree in psychology. He is an officer for New York State Office of Child and Family Services.
The couple honeymooned in Antigua. They reside in Webster.
