Real Columbus Wedding: Lisa and Ryan Peiffer Say ‘Yes’ to Their Love Story
The couple met during a leadership class while both attended Ohio State University. One Starbucks hangout was all it took to fall in love. Their wedding was filled with love, laughter and meaning.
Who: Lisa and Ryan Peiffer
When: Sept. 4, 2022
The story: The couple met during a leadership class while both were attending the Ohio State University. Lisa and Ryan became friends the summer they were orientation leaders together. One day at Starbucks near campus, Ryan talked about not knowing his life's purpose. Lisa pulled out some notecards, and they did an activity together. Ryan said his life's purpose was to be a good dad, and from that moment Lisa knew she was in love. “We have been together ever since,” the couple says. “We have done long-distance from Oxford, Columbus and Chicago, lived together in Chicago, traveled around the world, and bought a house together in Columbus. We have seen each other dream big, fail, succeed and love hard. This is our love story, and it's just the beginning.”
The proposal: In August the year before they got married, Ryan left clues throughout the week leading up to the day he proposed, the first clue being a drawn picture of a ring on the couple's shared calendar in the kitchen. Other clues included an empty ring box with a note that said, “You will soon see what is in here,” plus pre-booked nail and hair appointments for Lisa. On Friday, Ryan drove Lisa to the same Starbucks location on campus where the two fell in love. Two of Lisa's best friends were there to help guide her on a scavenger hunt through their relationship. The locations included the roof of Pomerene Hall (where the couple first said “I love you”), Ohio Stadium, Jeni's ice cream, their first home and a new location at the end, the Park of Roses. Ryan and a photographer were waiting at the Park of Roses just before Ryan proposed.
The wedding: The couple incorporated many parts of their relationship in their wedding, including a nod to Ohio State, Lisa's Filipino culture, Taylor Swift lyrics and songs and their favorite snacks. “We also picked out wedding scents for one another that we only wear on date nights,” the couple says. “Our bridesmaids had assorted champagne-colored dresses and our 'something blue’ was Lisa's grandfather's [who passed away in 2021] handkerchief.”
Lisa's wedding bouquet had a pin from her sorority days as well as a special pin from Ryan's grandmother. As guests entered, they received a welcome drink and were greeted by a calligraphy mirror from Lovely Arrows. “We did a Polaroid guest book and fun fact napkins, too,” the couple says. “On each chair, there was a program from Lumaca with a Taylor Swift lyric that said 'one single thread of gold tied me to you,' and one single thread of gold tied the program together.”
As a thoughtful and unique touch, each guest received a handwritten thank-you card, which acted as their name cards, on their dinner plates. Another memorable moment was during Ryan's stepmother's reading, which was inspired by all of the vows from the TV show, This is Us, one of the couple's favorite shows to watch together. The bride and groom also surprised Lisa's mom with a traditional Filipino dance performed by the Ohio State Pilipino Student Association dance team. “And, Brutus surprised our guests—we did an epic dance to Taylor Swift's 'Love Story' on the dance floor in celebration.”
VENDORS
Photographer:Jenn Johnston
Wedding planner: Aisle and Co
Ceremony:Vue Columbus
Reception:Vue Columbus
Florist:Madison House Designs
Invitations: Lumaca
Caterer: Sweet Carrot
Cake & desserts: Three Bites Bakery
Ceremony musicians:Columbus Musicians String Quartet
Cocktail hour & reception music:Donnie Mossman from Columbus Events DJ
Videographer:Kodjoarts
Rehearsal dinner venue:Budd Dairy
Transportation for wedding party and guests:XTreme Limo
Hotel for newlyweds and guests:Sheraton Columbus Hotel
Sunday brunch:Katalina's
Additional vendors:Jeni's Late Night Snack
Bride’s gown shop:Wendy's Bridal
Bride's gown designer:Watters
Bride's veil shop:Wendy's Bridal
Bride’s shoes:Loeffler Randall
Bride's accessories:Kendra Scott
Bride’s hair stylist:Beauty by Seda
Bride’s makeup artist: Beauty by Seda
Groom’s attire shop:Generation Tux
Engagement ring shop:Charles & Colvard
Wedding band shop:Jared Jewelry
Bridesmaids’ shop: Assorted Champagne dresses mostly from Show Me Your Mumu
Groomsmen’s attire:Generation Tux