The front of Lyman Estate

History of the Lyman Estate:

The Lyman Estate, also known as The Vale, was built in 1793 by wealthy shipping magnate Theodore Lyman. Originally used as a summer home, the Federal-style mansion was designed by renowned Salem architect Samuel McIntire. The Estate remained in the Lyman family until 1952, when the five Lyman heirs donated it to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, now known as Historic New England. The property is now a National Historic Landmark.

- Taken from Historic New England website.

Weather permitting (please, oh, please.), the wedding ceremony will be outside in the back of the mansion.  The ceremony will be followed by the cocktail hour, during which the guests can gather centrally on the veranda, but may also roam around the Lyman grounds.  For the reception, there will be separate dining rooms, which we think would provide a more intimate dining experience, and after dinner, dancing will be in the ballroom.

Currently, we are trying to incorporate a short and simple Chinese tea ceremony somewhere in the event to honor our parents.  We are thinking of perhaps during the tea ceremony in one of the rooms on the ground floor right after the ceremony/toasts.  Any better ideas?  Please share!