Catherine Ann Popielarz of Dunkirk and Thomas Michael Brown II of Fredonia were united in marriage on July 16, 2011, at 2 p.m. at St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church, Dunkirk. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Father Ray Donahue, retired priest, and Deacon Michael Lemieux. Marjorie Bohn of Dunkirk was the soloist at the ceremony, and Tonja Piede of Dunkirk was the organist.
The bride is the daughter of Anthony and the late Gloria Popielarz of Dunkirk. The groom is the son of Thomas and Cindy Brown of Dunkirk, and Bruce and Diane Wilger of Fredonia.
The bride was escorted by her father. She wore an ivory silky satin gown under netting overlay, with a sweetheart neckline and beaded flower appliques accented with Swarovski crystals and rhinestones. She carried a bouquet of yellow roses and white calla lilies.
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Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown
Serving as matrons of honor were Jill Muck of Fredonia, friend of the bride, and Marjorie Bohn of Dunkirk, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids included Elizabeth Popielarz of Snyder, N.Y., sister-in-law of the bride; Kimberly Myers of Fredonia, sister of the groom; Karen Fahy of Narragansett, R.I., friend of the bride; and Rhayna Myers of Fredonia, niece of the groom, was a junior bridesmaid. All of the bride's honor attendants wore slate gray sculpted strapless luminescent taffeta above-the-knee-length dresses with side drapes, and carried yellow calla lilies. Flower girls were Naomi Muck of Fredonia, goddaughter of the bride, and Ava Muck of Fredonia, friend of the bride.
Serving as best men were Doug Switzer of Dunkirk and Henry Messina of Fredonia, both friends of the groom. Ushers included Jason Popielarz of Snyder, N.Y., brother of the bride; Greg Myers of Fredonia, brother-in-law of the groom; Erik Hearburg of Dunkirk, friend of the groom; and Brayden Myers of Fredonia, nephew of the groom, was a junior groomsman. The ring bearer was Parker Bohn of Dunkirk, godson of the bride.
A reception was held at St. Hedwig's Social Center in Dunkirk.
The bride is a graduate of Dunkirk High School and SUNY Brockport. She is the general merchandise manager of FSA Bookstore at SUNY Fredonia.
The groom is a graduate of Fredonia High School and Jamestown Community College. He is the owner Tommy's Barber Shop in Fredonia and a Village of Fredonia trustee.
The couple honeymooned at Secrets Capri Rivera Cancun. They reside in Fredonia.
