Shot & Bottle

Welcome Party

The Excelsior

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

After Party

Our Wedding

How do soulmates find each other these days, you ask? Answer: Through this crazy idea of online dating. Sounds a bit abstract, we know, but when you are in your 20's and the local dating pool is becoming more and more limited, desperate times call for desperate measures. That's how we met. November 2021, we both swiped right on Bumble. Conversation began and we quickly realized that we lived nowhere near each other. Daniel was living in Chicago, IL at the time, whereas Renee was located in Lancaster, PA. We aren't quite sure how we matched given the distance between us, but some things are just meant to be. Another thing that was realized, and from Renee's perspective quite overruled the distance obstacle, was that Daniel listed his height at 6'5" on the app. That sealed the deal. Renee was very much set on finding a tall man to go with her 5'6" stature. Although acknowledging the relationship wasn't likely to go anywhere due to the distance between us, we decided to get to know each other better. Over the coming few weeks, we texted day and night and even made plans for Daniel to swing by Lancaster when he went home for the Christmas holiday. Keep in mind, Daniel grew up in State College, PA so "swinging by" meant he would have to go 4 hours out of his way to come see a girl he barely knows. At the end of December 2021, we went on our first date in Lancaster. Dinner...drinks...the usual. It went fairly well besides Daniel showing up in a beat up car with no hubcaps, destroyed moccasins, and jeans that were meant for someone half his height. Must have been pouring rain outside. Don't worry, Renee was able to overlook those things. Daniel went back to Chicago and we continued texting for the coming weeks. In January of 2022, it was decided that Renee would visit Daniel. At this point, we were still assuming this was just a fun fling and nothing serious would or could come from this situation. February 2022, Renee flew up to Chicago for an extended weekend trip. We explored the Windy City (which we do not recommend in the dead of winter), enjoyed various foods and drinks, and had the best date of our lives watching an insane Blackhawks hockey game. 2 hat-tricks and a team win...the place was electric. We said our sad goodbyes at the airport and Renee went home. March 1, 2022, we hopped on a FaceTime and decided that we didn't want this to just be a fun and flirty couple dates and then never see each other again. We had really begun to enjoy each other's company and wanted to try a long distance relationship. We became OFFICIAL (insert nervous girl giggle)!! April 2022, Renee moved to Columbus, OH and the 11-hour distance turned into a little over 5 hours. This move was something Renee had already been planning, the fact that it was closer to Daniel was just an added benefit. Jokes on her, that didn't last long. After enjoying just a few months of visits between Chicago and Columbus, Daniel accepted a promotion in Baltimore, MD in July 2022. Yes, you heard right. He moved an hour and a half away from where Renee was just living. Renee was irritated to say the least but this was a good job opportunity for Daniel and she, after moping for weeks, finally got on board. From July 2022 until April 2024, we managed the 7-hr distance between us. It had it's pros and cons. Arguments and reconciliations were mostly had over the phone, date nights were virtual, and tears were certainly shed when our weekends together were over. That being said, we both explored new hobbies, made friends, and kept our independence. It also made for much more meaningful time together when it was had. In 2023, Daniel decided he wanted a new job and we came to the conclusion that wherever the location, we would move together, as Renee worked fully remote. At the end of the year, Daniel accepted a new job in Savannah, Georgia. April 2024, we moved in together. Daniel was already living in Savannah for a few months, but given that men like to live with less than the bare minimum, Renee needed to bring all of her furniture and decor to make the place livable. The transition to living together went fairly smooth and much better than either of us anticipated. We spent the summer and fall exploring our new city, visits from family, making new friends, constant beach days, and enjoying good ole' southern living (with a nice dose of humidity and bugs). November 14, 2024, we got engaged!!!!! Whoop whoop! Daniel proposed in front of the most beautiful fountain in all of Savannah on a drizzly Thursday evening. As Renee had no idea what was happening (surprising given her Type A and interrogative personality), her salty attitude was present as Daniel asked a random woman to take a photo for us while it began to rain. The plan was to get a photo sometime in the evening, as it was date night and we needed a picture to go on our Christmas cards we were sending out. Renee wanted to take the picture at the restaurant we were having drinks at, so as to avoid the rain. Daniel, who unbeknownst to Renee, had a whole other plan for the evening, decided we were getting the picture at that very moment and handed his phone to the woman that just happened to be sitting on a park bench in the rain. C'mon Renee, how oblivious can you be?!? Renee sucked it up as the woman took a few photos on the phone. The phone was handed back to us, the woman was thanked, and Renee was supposed to check the photos to make sure they were good while Daniel retrieved the ring from his pocket. Instead, Renee immediately started to walk in the direction of the restaurant. Daniel, panicked, pulled her back quickly, got down on one knee, and asked Renee to marry him. Renee pretty much blacked out at this point. Apparently a yes was said, hugs and kisses were exchanged, and the realization hit that the random park bench woman was a professional photographer Daniel hired to capture the proposal. Renee was quite embarrassed that she hadn't been in the best mood prior to the proposal, but her attitude is why Daniel loves her so much (or at least that's what she tells herself). Needless to say, the rain let up, we walked around the beautiful city getting our photos taken, and then enjoyed a multitude of drinks and a delicious dinner to celebrate as Daniel spilled all the details of what led up to the moment. The following day's hangover couldn't hinder the bliss we were feeling. Over the coming weeks, we celebrated with friends and family and were overwhelmed with love and joy. January 2025, we began wedding planning. We waited until the new year to begin and are currently in the thick of it. We cannot wait to celebrate and party with you all in May 2026. See you then!! XOXO,Renee and Daniel

Our Story

Photos

Ben Henderson

Maria Drawbaugh

Zacheus Stager

Lauren Winkler

Alex Russo

Emily Steele

Ian Dietrich

Hailey Heizman

Nick Samuelson

Lauren Thomas

Bea Winkler

Julie Drawbaugh

Paul Winkler

Wedding Party

Q + A

45 minutes away

Harrisburg International Airport

1.5 hours awayAmtrak train available

Philadelphia International Airport

1.5 hours away

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Parking directly across the street from venue

East King Street Garage

3-minute walk to venue

Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

8-minute walk to venueRoom block secured here (use link below or input code DWW to obtain discounted rates)

Holiday Inn Lancaster, an IHG Hotel

5-minute drive to venue

Cork Factory Hotel

7-minute drive to venue

Lancaster Arts Hotel

Travel

baseball stadium

Lancaster Barn'Stormers

farmers' market

Lancaster Central Market

bowling and arcade bar

Decades

Fulton Theatre

LOCAL EATSHorse InnThe Belvedere InnShot &amp; BottleCork &amp; CapLUCAHarvest Seasonal GrillGrand CentralThe ImperialPasserineC'est La VieHimalayan Curry and GrillSouthern MarketDouble CRachel's Cafe and CreperieBread PedalerOola BowlsCafe One EightZoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse

BARS/LOUNGESTellus360Altana Rooftop LoungeAnnie Bailey's Irish PubThe Exchange401 PrimeProof of LancasterConway Social Club

BREWERIESLancaster Brewing CompanyOur TownSpringhouse Brewing CompanyMad ChefColumbia Kettle WorksMeduseld MeaderyThistle Finch DistilleryWarehouse District Beer Garden

SHOPPINGBelmontPark City CenterTanger Outlets

EXPLORE NEAR LANCASTERLititz, PA - 20 minutes awayHiking in Columbia, PA - 25 minutes awayFox Meadows Creamery in Ephrata, PA - 20 minutes awayBube's Brewery in Mount Joy - 25 minutes awayGrandview Vineyard in Mount Joy - 25 minutes away

Renee & Daniel

Renee & Daniel

Photos