Sara Anne Malikowski, formerly of Fredonia, now a resident of Buffalo and Jason Petko, also of Buffalo, exchanged wedding vows on June 17, 2016 at Christ the King Chapel on the Canisius College Campus in Buffalo. Monsignor Patrick Keleher officiated at the double ring, candle lit ceremony. Acoustic music for the ceremony was provided by guitarist Joe Childs. The bride’s Godmother, Cindy Lafever, and the groom’s uncle, Daniel Petko, gave the readings. The darkened church was illuminated entirely with candles and lanterns. The aisles were graced with white bows adorned with large bouquets of baby’s breath.

The bride is the daughter of Joe and Sandy Malikowski, formerly of Fredonia, now residing in West Seneca and the granddaughter of Mary and Frank Mirek of Dunkirk. The bride was given in marriage by her parents and escorted down the aisle by her father.

She wore a strapless champagne dress with delicate lace and beading. The dress had a sweet heart neckline, a mermaid bodice with flowing train and was accented with satin buttons down the back. For the ceremony, the bride wore rose high heels with bows adorning the ankles. The necklace worn by the bride was handcrafted by her. It was made out of lace, ribbons and buttons from both her grandmother’s and mother’s wedding dresses. She carried a simple bouquet of pink Hydrangeas wrapped in white ribbon. Her hair was gently curled to one side and pinned up by a pearl and diamond barrette.

Mary Kate Patnode, the sister of the bride, from East Amherst served as her matron of honor. As she walked down the aisle, she carried her son Sean Patnode, the ring bearer. Sean carried the rings on a large rattle tied on with a white bow. Samantha Smith, friend of the bride, of Chili, N.Y. was the maid of honor. Robin Cameron of East Amherst, Sue Petko of Clarence Center, both sisters of the groom, Gretchen Malikowski of Rochester, Minn., sister-in-law of the bride and Haley Mirek, cousin of the bride, of Dunkirk served as bridesmaids. The bridesmaids carried small bouquets of baby’s breath and wore knee-length cocktail dresses in various styles and different shades of sage green.

The groom is the son of Joy and Ken Petko of Clarence Center. Martin Cameron of East Amherst, brother-in- law of the groom, Tom Malikowski of Rochester, Minn., brother of the bride and Joe Deckop of Pasadena, Calif., friend of the groom served as ushers for the ceremony.

As the bride and groom left the chapel guests lit their way with sparklers and cheers.

The following day, a reception was held at the Foundry and Suites on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. The newlyweds welcomed guests during cocktail hour. At the reception, the bride danced the night away in high heel converse sneakers. The couples’ dachshund Lola made a surprise appearance at the reception wearing a pink pearl collar adorned with faux diamonds. Family and friends enjoyed music and merriment into the evening inside the venue and outside in the courtyard by the fountain and fire pits.

The bride is a graduate of Fredonia High School. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in occupational therapy from Keuka College in the Finger Lakes. She is currently employed as an occupational therapist at Buffalo Hearing and Speech. The groom is a graduate of Clarence High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in educational leadership, both from Canisius College. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate in education from D’Youville College. He is currently employed at the Cantalician Center for Learning in Buffalo, as its director of education.

The couple is planning a summer honeymoon, with stops in Las Vegas and various sites in California, including San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. The newlyweds will reside with Lola in their home in Buffalo.