Rachelle Anne Ricotta and Justin Henri Abbott were united in marriage on Sept. 3, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at Blessed Mary Angela Parish, St. Hedwig's Church, Dunkirk. The Catholic ceremony was officiated by guest priest Father Jim Fugle of Niagara Falls, a family friend of the groom.
The bride is the daughter of Bonnie S. (Gula) Kelly of Dunkirk and Vincent C. Ricotta of Dunkirk. The groom is the son of Carole Abbott of Fredonia and the late Bill Abbott.
Wedding soloists and organists were Mr. and Mrs. Tim Van Wey of Dunkirk. Readers at the ceremony were Amanda C. Chapel of Warren, Pa., Kamilla Riscilli of Long Island and A. Gordon Steele of Fredonia.
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Mr. and Mrs. Justin Abbott
The bride was escorted by her father. She wore an ivory taffetta gown with dimensional rosettes and ruffles, and carried a bouquet that was an illustration of the fall foliage with sunflowers, eucalyptus and berries.
The maid of honor was Vanessa Ricotta of Dunkirk, sister of the bride. Nicole Anderson of Fredonia, cousin of the bride, served as a bridesmaid. The bride's attendants' gowns were tea-length chiffon in the color of cinnamon with delicate ruffles around the neckline.
The best men were Jason Abbott of Tampa, Fla., and Jordan Abbott of Fredonia, brothers of the groom. The ringbearer was Donald John Gula of Sheridan, cousin of the bride.
A reception was held at St. Hedwig's Social Hall in Dunkirk.
The bride graduated from Dunkirk High School in 2000, the State University of New York at Buffalo with two bachelor of art degrees in 2004, and the University of Toronto, Canada, with a master's degree in science in planning with a concentration in community development in 2007. She is the director of planning with the Lycoming-Clinton Counties for Community Action (STEP), Inc.
The groom graduated from Fredonia High School in 2001 and Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in environmental science in 2005. He is a surface mine inspector with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The couple took a two-week honeymoon road trip to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada. They reside in Trout Run, Pa., just north of Williamsport, Pa.
