Virginia Weddings Magazine
virginia weddings

Real Virginia Weddings: Rachel & Peter

55 views
  • The Bride: Rachel Bielski | 28 | Engineer
  • The Groom: Peter Walsh | 27 | Engineer
  • Date: September 27, 2025
  • Location: Sylvanside Farm
  • Guest Count: 150

Something Special

Peter and Rachel, both engineers, met while working at a naval architecture firm based in Washington, D.C. “After spending more time together as co-workers and friends, we both knew there was something special between us,” said Rachel. Peter proposed to Rachel on a sailboat charter out of Portland, Maine. When the captain asked to take a photo, Peter popped the question against a coastal backdrop of sparkling blue water.

After saying yes, Rachel was overjoyed to learn that Peter had arranged a celebration with family once the boat reached the shore.

Planning Prowess

Planning came easily to this couple. “I really enjoyed the planning process,” said Rachel. “I am an engineering project manager, so making plans for the wedding was just a much more fun version of what I do every day.” Rachel and Peter browsed their parents’ wedding albums for inspiration, taking note of which details had aged gracefully.

Rachel and Peter took inspiration from their parents’ weddings. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

The Details

Rachel chose a floor-length Mori Lee gown with a scalloped neckline, floral lace overlay and train. Inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding look, she also wore a vintage 1960s-era veil cap. A few alterations from Global Bridal Gallery allowed her to wear the detachable headpiece during the ceremony and reception. Rachel’s bridesmaids wore matching dusty blue chiffon dresses from Azazie.

Rachel wore a vintage 1960s-era veil cap. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

Peter sported a black tuxedo from Suit Supply, accented with a black bow tie. His groomsmen rented tuxedos from The Black Tux.

The bridal party wore dusty blue. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

Rachel and Peter decorated with local, in-season flowers and worked with a flower farmer at Bee’s Wing Farm to understand which plants would be blooming in late September.

The couple sourced florals from Bee’s Wing Farm. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

White blooms formed the base of the couple’s arrangements. Burgundy, peach and blush flowers popped as accents. “We were so happy to have supported a Virginia farmer and our local pollinators in our floral selection,” said Rachel.

Local blooms featured in the wedding. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)
The wedding details showcased burgundy, peach, blush and blue (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

The Day

The ceremony and reception were held at Sylvanside Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Pumpkins and fallen leaves provided fall flair to the countryside venue. Guests loved interacting with Sylvanside’s Clydesdale horses and feeding them carrots.

Guests loved the venue’s Clydesdale horses. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)
Pumpkins added fall flair. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)
Guests mingled around Sylvanside Farm. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

At the reception, the couple held a first dance to “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke. Months of lessons, plus plenty of practice sessions in the living room, paid off when the couple charmed their guests with choreography.

The couple shared an elegant first dance. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

Sweets starred in Rachel and Peter’s special day. Rachel baked her own carrot cake for the reception, and her mother, sister and sister-in-law also supplied homemade desserts. Plus, guests took home handmade family recipe books as favors.

Homemade desserts delighted guests. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Arts Photography)

Rachel and Peter noticed that their special day passed quickly. They focused on finding moments throughout the ceremony and reception to pause and appreciate the loving friends and family who showed up to celebrate with them.

Save and Simplify

Wedding planning doesn’t need to be spendy to be stylish, Rachel shared. “Our best planning advice is to limit waste where you can,” she said. “It can be really tempting to buy a ton of extra things that never get used or end up getting thrown away right after the wedding. It can help you simplify, save money and be kind to the environment to ask, ‘Is this a need-to-have or a nice-to-have?’ before adding elements to your event.”

Wedding Ingredients

Virginia Weddings features weddings weekly on the blog. Being featured on the blog does not necessarily mean being featured in the print magazine.

Tags : Real Virginia Weddingsvintagewedding inspiration
Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland

The author: Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland

Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland is a freelance writer and editor. When she’s not poring over manuscripts and searching for misplaced commas, Elizabeth can be found reading in a cozy chair with her cats, performing onstage at her local community theatre or antiquing with her husband.

you might also like