A Lyman Estate wedding filled with love, creativity, and unforgettable moments
Karisa and Piper’s Lyman Estate wedding was a beautiful celebration of love, family, and thoughtful details. From their carefully curated vendor team to their handmade signage and floral arrangements, every aspect of their day was filled with meaning. Their historic venue created an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, where guests felt like they were part of something truly special. With a heartfelt ceremony, a cozy dinner that felt like a family gathering, and plenty of joyful, unexpected moments, their wedding was a perfect reflection of their story.
A love that felt effortless
Karisa and Piper met as sorority sisters in a music organization at Florida State University in 2017. While Karisa remembers their first meeting early that year, Piper insists she didn’t take notice until months later. By 2019, they were inseparable best friends, spending nearly every moment together before officially starting their relationship.
After graduation, they moved to Boston in 2021 with their two cats, Chris and Ellie, and began envisioning what their wedding day would look like.
Both had planned proposals for January 2023, but their excitement got the better of them. The moment they had their rings in hand, they proposed to each other right in their kitchen, with their cats as the only witnesses.
“Our love has always been easy and natural, so it felt right for our proposal to follow suit,” Karisa shares.
Choosing a historic venue for their Lyman Estate wedding
Knowing they didn’t want a traditional ballroom wedding, Karisa and Piper focused on venues that felt personal and showcased classic New England charm. Since most of their guests were traveling from out of state, they also wanted a space that offered a warm and welcoming experience.
The moment they toured the Lyman Estate, they knew they had found the perfect setting.
The multiple rooms for dinner made the evening feel like a holiday gathering rather than a large reception.
The mansion’s historic charm gave the event an intimate and timeless feel.
They later discovered that the estate had been featured in Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women, making it an even more exciting choice.
“The separate dining rooms made it feel like we were all gathered at home with family and friends. It was exactly the atmosphere we wanted,” Piper says.
A ceremony filled with personal touches
Their wedding ceremony was a reflection of their relationship, incorporating traditions that were deeply meaningful to them.
A string quartet played music from one of their favorite films, followed by The Swan by Saint-Saëns, a piece Piper had performed as a cellist.
They included a ring warming ceremony, where their wedding bands were passed among guests for blessings and well wishes.
One of their best friends, Sabrina, performed a handfasting ritual, tying their hands together as a symbol of their union.
Karisa got so caught up in the moment that they kissed Piper before the officiant had finished speaking, causing laughter throughout the ceremony.
“We spent so much time choosing every word of our ceremony, and it was so special to see it all come together,” Karisa shares.
Thoughtful and creative details
Karisa and Piper brought their creative vision to life with a mix of DIY projects and sentimental touches.
They spent months designing and making signage, becoming near experts in Canva while mastering the use of their Cricut machine.
Their wedding bar sign, one of their most challenging projects, became a true labor of love.
They arranged their own florals with the help of close friends, creating more arrangements than originally planned.
They displayed wedding photos from their guests’ own weddings, including images dating back to 1884, making the mansion feel like a place full of shared history.
Their wedding party wore a mix of colors and styles rather than a uniform look, allowing everyone to feel like themselves.
“We have a hard time making decisions, and we didn’t love the look of an all-one-color wedding party, so we let everyone pick what felt right for them,” Piper explains.
A reception filled with love and laughter
With only 60 guests, their wedding felt intimate and personal, allowing them to truly enjoy time with everyone.
A favorite memory was when their sorority sisters surrounded them and sang their chorale, a meaningful tradition that made the night even more special.
After their first dance, they changed into reception outfits and spent the rest of the evening on the dance floor.
The relaxed dinner setting allowed guests to flow between rooms, making conversation easy and natural.
“We wanted the day to feel intimate, thoughtful, and welcoming. It was incredible to have so many people travel from all over to be there for us,” Karisa says.
Wedding planning advice from Karisa and Piper
Start by thinking about how you want to feel on your wedding day, not just the atmosphere but also your attire, music, and overall experience.
When faced with tough decisions, focus on what will be meaningful rather than what feels “timeless.”
Don’t stress about things being perfect. Some of the best memories come from unexpected moments—like an exploding champagne bottle or an early first kiss.
Venue: Lyman Estate | Planning & Coordination: Honeycomb Event Planning | Photography & Super 8 Film: Castillo Holliday Photo + Film | Photo Assistant: Mel Tata Photography | Florals: Flower Moxie | Catering & Desserts: La Bonne Maison | Hair & Makeup: Hair by Anisa, Veronica Nunes & Esthetics | Bridal Gowns: Flair Boston, The White Magnolia (Designer: Watters) | Reception Outfits: Head Over Heels Bridal Boutique, Azazie | Jewelry: Kinn Studio, Catbird | Rings & Bands: Hera Fine Jewelry, Emily Chelsea Jewelry | Stationery & Signage: DIY by Karisa & Piper | Handfasting Cords: Ceotha | Rentals & Audio: Boston Audio Rentals | Hotel: Courtyard Boston Waltham | Veils & Accessories: Janesse Russel, Sara Gabriel | Shoes: Journee, Betsey Johnson
If Karisa & Piper’s Lyman Estate wedding inspired you, you’ll love the latest issue of Evergreen Weddings Magazine! From real weddings to expert tips and dreamy venue features, it’s everything you need to plan a wedding as unique as your love story. Click here to purchase our latest issue.
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