Weddings Under Glass: Rachel and Akshay

By Heather Poling

After matching on Hinge in 2021, Akshay and Rachel met at North Park in Pittsburgh for their first date. From the very beginning they knew this relationship was special, Rachel says, “The conversation was flowing, no awkward or stressful moments and it just felt right to be sitting outside by the lake, getting to know each other.” As they grew closer, they would often spend hours just sitting and talking. They quickly realized that the relationship was moving in a serious direction! Akshay is a native of Mumbai, calling Pittsburgh home for nine years while pursuing his PHD in engineering at Carnegie Mellow University (CMU). Rachel is a Pittsburgh native and says Phipps is her number one favorite spot in the city!

In April of 2024, Akshay suggested that the couple take a day trip to Cuyahoga Falls State Park in Ohio to see the solar eclipse. Rachel was reluctant as she had several work meetings, but Akshay persisted so she agreed to take her meetings in the car. The traffic was dense as they headed north because many people were trying to get into the path of totality for an optimum view. Luckily, they made it to the park just in time to see the eclipse! Eventually, Rachel asked Akshay if it was safe to remove her eclipse glasses. As she removed them and turned to look at him, he was already bending on one knee to propose! Rachel felt like “all the stars had perfectly aligned” to make this magical and surreal moment for their relationship and future together.  

When the couple started planning their ceremony, Rachel’s only request was that they have it at Phipps! They decided to get married on Dec. 20 in the Broderie Room. The ceremony started at 8:30 a.m. and since the Conservatory was not open to the public yet, they had the whole building to themselves. Rachel says, “it was such a dream, a true winter wonderland…it made it feel like we were in a snow globe!” Rachel and Akshay wrote their own wedding vows which was something special that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Their favorite part of getting married at Phipps was how intimate the Broderie Room felt, making the whole day feel personal to them as a couple.

They had a reception at LeMont restaurant on Mount Washington. The wedding and reception were a minimalist winter theme with the white wedding cake adorned with snow drifts and gold accents. The bridesmaids wore traditional chiffon dresses in a burgundy color. Akshay’s family came all the way from Mumbai to celebrate the bride and groom even preformed a Bollywood style dance! The guests indulged in homemade Indian treats including Akshay’s mother’s Besan and Atta Ladoo. The reception was a beautiful celebration of cultures and everlasting love.

Following the wedding, the couple spent some time in the mountains of California, having a winter adventure. They took in the incredible views and snowshoed for the first time! Now settled in San Jose, CA with new jobs, they enjoy the warmth and sunshine of their new home, taking bike rides together and hanging out with their cat Ollie. Rachel and Akshay are hoping to start their own family soon! While they have a strong community of Pittsburgh transplants that meet up frequently on the West Coast, they still travel back to Pittsburgh often to visit friends and family.

Photographer: Full Circle Media

Dress: Magic Moment Bridal Studio

Flowers: West View Floral Shoppe

Wedding Cake: Bella Christie's Sweet Boutique