A Storybook Real Wedding at Pharsalia in Virginia

Sarah and Andrew said “I Do” in a beautiful, rainy-day ceremony at Pharsalia on May 7, 2019. The unplanned weather only made the day more lovely and did nothing to dampen the mood of guests in attendance.

The ceremony was held in a tent overlooking the Pharsalia gardens. After the ceremony, the celebration continued into the evening with food, drinks and live music beneath a warmly lit tent reception, where guests celebrated the couple with maracas and dancing. The newlyweds left the reception in style, driven away in a vintage Land Rover owned by the farm. 

The couple began the day separately, getting ready with their bridal party. For Sarah, that meant getting ready with her pet Pomeranian, Sophie, and her bridesmaids, who wore matching light blue robes gifted to them by the bride. The bride also gifted them canvas tote bags embroidered with the word “bridesmaid” to carry around any day-of necessities.

Sophie spent the morning hanging out in a basket adorned with flowers, carried around from place to place so as not to miss a minute of the big day. While the bridesmaids got ready, the groomsmen got dressed and played a small round of beer pong to kick off the celebration of Sarah and Andrew. 

For the wedding, the bridesmaids wore light grey v-neck dresses, except for the maid of honor, who opted for a jewel-neck dress in the same fabric to stand apart. The simple, floor length silhouette made a timeless look and beautifully complemented the wedding style. Sophie wore a simple, bright pink flower on her collar, which went well with her fur coat and made her an adorable addition to the bridal party. To emphasize the timeless look of the bridesmaids, the groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos.

Additionally, the bridal party carried bouquets of white tea roses with plenty of greenery and boutonnieres of white roses to match.

Sarah wore a gorgeous A-line dress that debuted intricate lace detailing and a bodice comprised of lace that continued onto the skirt and gradually fanned out, seamlessly blending the two together. The skirt had light, textured flowers made from the same material gently scattered over it, adding a subtle but striking detail. To accentuate the neckline of her dress, Sarah wore her hair in loose curls, half-up, half-down.

She opted to keep her jewelry simple and allowing the dress to speak for itself. The combination of intricately detailed lace, a white bouquet and an elegant hairstyle made Sarah the stunning bride that she always dreamed of being.

Drizzling rain prior to the ceremony did nothing to dampen spirits, but rather it boosted the appeal of the spring flowers decorating Pharsalia’s property. A tented ceremony kept the couple and their guests dry and accented the luscious backdrop, while a string quartet welcomed guests upon their arrival. 

Guests joyously watched as Sarah and Andrew were wed under an arch of white tea roses, ranunculus and greenery with the gardens in full bloom behind them, then got ready to celebrate the couple into the night at the reception. 

The reception was held under the same tent as the ceremony, and it was warmly lit by glistening string lights. During a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres were served throughout cocktail hour, making a delicious precursor to the reception meal. All the while, chairs were rearranged and a stage was set up for the band. 

Place settings featured napkins hand-stamped with the couple’s monogram, and tables had low floral centerpieces coordinating with the arch Sarah and Andrew married under. Guests were welcomed to a bar with signature drinks inspired by Sophie, who attended the reception in her basket. 

During dinner, Sarah’s father and several members of the bridal party toasted the newlyweds with a mix of jokes and well wishes for happiness in their marriage. As the night grew darker, the string lights cast a golden glow throughout the tent.

After dinner, a live band allowed guests to dance and enjoy each other’s company into the night. Sarah and Andrew provided guests with light-up maracas for the dance floor, making a pun with their now shared last name of Rocca and emphasizing the celebratory nature of their reception. Once the party ended, guests threw rose petals over the newlyweds before sending them off.

We wish Sarah and Andrew much joy as they embark on their new married life and thank them for allowing us a glimpse into their gorgeous day!

wedding vendors

Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography
Venue: Pharsalia



Virginia Wine & Country celebrates elevated living in Virginia Wine Country. Virginia Wine & Country Life is a semi-annual luxury print magazine with a full digital presence. The Virginia Wine & Country Gold Book is an annual guide to the top award-winning wines, wineries and experiences in Virginia Wine Country. The annual Virginia Wine & Country Wedding Planner is an art book of elegant Virginia weddings. The brand includes the Virginia Wine & Country Shop in Ivy, Va. It is a beautiful lifestyle boutique that brings the pages of the magazines to life. Virginia Wine & Country tells the stories of Virginia wineries, the farm-to-table movement, luxury travel, entertaining, art and the elegant country lifestyle. Ivy Life & Style Media also provides branding, web design and PR services for the wine industry.

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