INDY LOVE STORY 2022

On October 22, 2022 Leah and Dennis became husband and wife. The new Mr. + Mrs. Baumann Jr. were the winners of a local giveaway that we, along with several other wedding professionals in the Indianapolis and surround areas put together for one lucky couple back in February. The Indy Love Story wedding professional team asked participants to share with us their love story! It was as simple as that! The contest brought in some of the sweetest stories but in the end, Leah and Dennis’ story stole our hearts. Here is their story:

"So just like every other couple, in our generation, my fiancé Dennis and I met online. We actually met on Facebook dating! We both were tired of Tinder and other big name dating websites, so we decided to try something new. Well we both are so glad we did!

This was early February 2020 (literally right before the pandemic hit) when we began talking. We both were super over worked individuals just looking for companionship. He was a manager at a Jiffy Lube working 60 plus hours a week and I was working as a server/bartender and had just finished training to do patient registration for IU West (little did I know the chaos that would then turn that same hospital, at one point, into an all Covid hospital). Both of our schedules were dedicated to work and that made finding time for a date near impossible.

Thankfully we were able to arrange a date on a Saturday afternoon scheduled after I finished my bartending shift. I worked at a place in Fountain Square and across the way were a few different options for us to meet for the first time. We decided on a place called the Dugout. It was a chill little hangout place that was the perfect atmosphere for a first date/meeting. Not too long before we were supposed to meet, I texted Dennis to make sure that everything was still on for us meeting. He stated that he had a migraine (at the time I didn't know that he had been diagnosed with chronic migraines) and was curious if I was ok with rescheduling. Honestly...I wasn't! I communicated to him that I was tired of being stood up and having my time wasted and that what little time I had was precious.

Dennis THEN responded with ok let me get a shower real quick, asked if it was ok if he showed up in sweats so he could be comfortable, and that he would be there in 20 minutes. At that moment I knew he was different!! Not to mention even before we met he offered to come to my apartment just to clean the snow off of my car. I wasn't sure if I should have be worried at the time, but it was him just being the true gentleman that he is!

Dennis arrived at The Dugout shortly before I walked over, after work. When we found each other and walked to our table for the evening, we had no clue that THAT moment was going to be the beginning of it all! We sat and talked for the next 7 or 8 hours! We enjoyed each other's company so much the that we went back to the exact same place the next day and again talked for hours!!

To make a very long long love story/journey of extreme ups and extreme downs, and at times in literal sickness and health we both firmly believe we found our true soulmate. It was love at first sight. If you are lucky enough to experience it, you can attest to how hard it is to describe the feeling. He is the male version of me and vice versa. He is also my true best friend. This man loves me more than life itself! He treats me like a queen! I ALWAYS get flowers! He knows me better than I know myself! I swear! For example, I will think about a Slurpee drink all day and not mention it to a soul and this man will come home from work with one in hand! It's crazy, but I LOVE it! We were destined to be together."

Are they not just the sweetest?! I can truly say that after walking alongside them these past seven months, this man absolutely loves this women more than anything and he truly does treat her like a queen. Over the last seven months Leah and Dennis were faced with several trials. They battled job reductions and sicknesses, just to name a few. These trials attributed to money concerns and a better understanding of the commitment that they would be repeating to each other, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.” Through it all, they kept a positive mindset and their goal in mind of finally becoming husband + wife.

Their wedding day was nothing short of beautiful. Leah and Dennis couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day weather wise and mother nature provided the perfect shade of fall foliage in the background of Dunn Farm in Trafalger Indiana. The couple chose burnt orange and dark teal as their wedding colors. Their bridesmaids wore mis-matched burnt orange dresses, and their groomsmen wore dark brown dress pants, a white button up shirt, and a teal tie and suspenders. Their ceremony was officiated by Just The Two of Us Wedding Services and performed in front of the Dunn Farm pond surrounded by their family and friends. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a soup bar with delicious vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, potato soup, and vegetable beef soup from Subito Soups. Their guests also enjoyed a pickle bar and a Carmel apple bar.

A little bit about the #indylovestory wedding professionals that helped make this day a reality:

Olivia Flesher, the owner of Flesher Design Co. Olivia designed and printed the wedding invitations for our couple. All of her wedding invitations are 100% custom (no templates) so her clients get exactly what they are wanting. From wedding invitations, programs, menus, thank you cards, and everything in between, Olivia is there to help her clients achieve a cohesive, elegant look. To see more about Flesher Design Co and their work, visit: www.facebook.com/flesherdesignco

Kristen Snyder, the owner of Miss May Designs LLC. Kristen donated the couples cake and cupcakes. Miss May Designs LLC offers custom cakes, cupcakes, and desserts. Her family has been in the baking industry since the 1970’s. She has her degree in Pastry Arts and she specializes in working with brides. Too see more about Miss May Designs LLC and their work, visit: www.facebook.com/missmaydesigns317/ or her Instagram handle is @Miss.May.designs

Rachael Kennedy, the owner of Indy Beer Taps. Indy Beer Taps is a mobile bartending company that caters to private events around Indiana. They offered our couple one complimentary bartender for five hours of serving time. Rachael also helped our couple acquire their temporary beer and wine permit required by all couples serving alcohol in a rented space. To learn more about Indy Beer Taps and their various bar pacakages, visit: www.indybeertaps.com.

Autumn Rhodes, the owner of Autumn Rhodes Beauty, is a traveling makeup artist based in Kokomo Indiana. She has been a makeup artist for eight years and in that time, she has been able to fine tune her signature natural style that her clients love. Autumn donated bridal makeup services to our bride, and provided makeup services to her bridesmaids as well. To learn more about Autumn and the services that she provides, visit: www.makeupartistautumn.com.

Dj Jay Torcher, the owner of Kreation DJs, has been a Dj for over 25 years. During that time, he has traveled all over the world sharing his talent in night clubs, at weddings, on cruise ships, and much more. Jay donated their Happiness package that included ceremony music, cocktail hour music, and DJ/MC services for their reception. To learn more about the services that Kreation DJs offer, visit: www.facebook.com/kreationdjs

Nicole + Christy Moore, the owners of Capturing Moore Memories, are a photography and videography team that has been in business for over nine years. They specialize in documenting the moments and memories in your life. From the proposal, to the I do, to the baby (or two 😉)! Nichole and Christy love being there for the “I do’s” in a couples life, but they don’t want to just be someone’s wedding photographer, they want to become their photographer for LIFE! Nichole and Christy so graciously donated 8 hours of photography services to our couple, as well as a full gallery of high resolution digital images. They also provided videography services, including drone footage, for our couple to document their special day. To learn more about the packages that Capturing Moore Memories offers, visit: www.capturingmoorememories.com

Last but not least, we, Luva Events & Party Rental, donated wedding planning services to our couple, including Ashley being onsite for day-of event management. Our couple also received their choice of backdrop from our Rental Collection. Leah and Dennis chose our Arbor Backdrop to decorate and add as the perfect final touch to their ceremony location. To learn more about the services that we offer, click here.