The power of two was multiplied by 10 and then some when Eaton fire survivors Morgan Soloway and Kenny Rotter got married in the construction site that was their Mountain View Street home on Sunday, July 5.
At the center of the equation, of course, were the bride and groom, together since 2017 and engaged in January 2024.
They had mere months of enjoying their 1948, two-bedroom, two-bath bungalow in Altadena before the Eaton fire interrupted all their plans.
“We loved sitting on the front porch in the mornings, drinking coffee and listening to records.” Soloway said, adding their backyard had lots of space for their rescue dogs Coco and Hooper to run around.
Rather than allowing tragedy to define their story, Kenny and Morgan made an extraordinary decision: to begin their marriage in the very place where their future forever was interrupted, said wedding planner Dawnee Pitzer of Events by Dawnee LLC based in Alhambra.
Pitzer said to know the couple, who support friends in need, care for children during an emergency, rescue animals through Angel City Pit Bulls, and support the LGBTQ+ community in the San Gabriel Valley, “they have spent years pouring love into everyone around them. This wedding is an opportunity for the community to pour that love back into them.”
Rotter said they were still in recovery mode and staying with friends when he was struck with the thought of creating something from all the chaos and uncertainty.
“I’ve told people that this has been the best and worst time of my life. The worst because…obvious reasons. And the best because the outpouring of love and support from all directions has been so meaningful. I try to carry that with me.”
The supporting cast in their wedding include their more than 100 guests, from Soloway’s sister Amanda, who served as matron of honor, and bridesmaids, her aunt Merryl and Olivia, her best friend since seventh grade. Rotter’s best man was his best friend Kyle and best woman was Kim, his friend from high school.
All the guests signed a new doorframe standing on the property, a permanent reminder of those who are helping them rebuild.
“I’ve told people that this has been the best and worst time of my life. The worst because … obvious reasons. And the best because the outpouring of love and support from all directions has been so meaningful. I try to carry that with me.” — Kenny Rotter
Soloway’s mother crafted the orange and white centerpieces and her bouquet of white dahlias. Her father built the chuppah, and Fanny’s Flowers draped the traditional Jewish canopy with sheer fabric, lace, and a cascade of white dahlias, roses, lisianthus, huckleberry and green Italian ruscus
Then there are the small businesses and vendors who jumped at the chance to help: starting with Freddy Sayegh of Altadena Collective and Alta Design Works, as well as Samera Arkel of the Altadena event space 409 Woodbury.
Arkel and Sayegh are second-generation Altadenans in the midst of rebuilding themselves.
“Their story reminds me that rebuilding isn’t just about houses, it’s restoring hope and community,” Arkel said.
“We wanted guests to feel the joy of the day while quietly recognizing the journey that brought everyone there,” Pitzer said. “With Morgan and Kenny’s permission, I began sharing their story with local vendors, and what happened next was something I’ll never forget.”
Small businesses from throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond reached out wanting to contribute in whatever way they could, donating products, and offering services.
“Watching an entire community come together for two people they had never met reminded me why I love this profession,” Pitzer said. “This wedding became so much bigger than an event—it became a celebration of kindness, generosity, and hope.”
Pitzer roped in Planner Power, a local nonprofit organization for wedding and event professionals she belongs to, and gathered donations or discounts from Gary Loitz Photography; DJ J.R.; Herman Au Photography; Los Angeles Drone Works; Ride With Rich; 3M Protection Services; SR Event Planning; Fanny’s Flowers; BJ Party Services; Mijo Entertainment; Homebaked Cookies Co.; Azure Events; 3D Print Los Angeles; and Handel’s Ice Cream.
Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel served up the wedding menu of jerk chicken, Jamaican beef patties, veggie patties, and sweet plantains as well as vegan curry, rice and peas, and sautéed vegetables.
Even with the stress of planning a wedding in eight weeks, Pitzer said, “every meal, every flower, every detail reflects a community coming together to celebrate two people who remind us all that even after unimaginable loss, love can still bloom.”
This love story began on the Bumble dating app in 2017, when Soloway saw Rotter’s photo, “and I was like, ‘Hey! I know who that guy is!’ We actually had a mutual friend. I immediately swiped right and said hi. We got coffee a few days later.”
Rotter proposed at a Vegas magic show at the Lost Sprits distillery, getting magician Jacob Jax to cut open a lime in front of Soloway to reveal a platinum diamond Art Deco ring.
“Prior to that, Morgan actually planned and sent me on a ‘National Treasure’ (the Nicolas Cage film) themed scavenger hunt around Pasadena and Altadena to some meaningful spots in our relationship to let me know she was ready for me to propose. It was incredible,” Rotter said.
“He’s unafraid of being different, of expressing himself, of being goofy and silly. He is also my rock, especially since the fire.” — Morgan Soloway
Since they are saving as much of their money toward rebuilding their home, Soloway will use her engagement ring as her wedding ring and Rotter is planning on getting a tattoo, probably his bride’s signature circling his ring finger.
The couple feel more fortunate than most Eaton fire survivors, since they were insured, even though they still need to meet a funding gap, using money from a GoFundMe friends set up for them, and trying to avail of community resources such as the Cal Assist Mortgage Fund.
They also appreciate the activism and mobilization from Altadena groups, especially its historic Black community, saying they have benefitted from that action and protection.
With no immediate honeymoon plans, the couple instead will focus on savoring being newlyweds.
The new Mrs. Rotter said she loves how her husband is 100% genuinely himself.
“He’s unafraid of being different, of expressing himself, of being goofy and silly. He is also my rock, especially since the fire,” she said.
Her groom said he values his wife’s patience and acceptance, especially since they are a mixed orientation couple. Soloway is straight and Rotter is bisexual.
“I don’t know if she ever expected to have a partner who was in the queer community, but she has accepted 100% of me,” he said. “She supports me celebrating who I am and my role in the LGBTQ community, through my activism and contributions to the bisexual community. Each year she gets me cards for Pride. Even now, I have experienced stigma from both the straight and gay communities. Morgan is there for me and supports me always. I’m incredibly lucky and hold on to that every day.”
It’s all part of loving a place, and loving each other. On their wedding day, it was impossible not to feel surrounded by love, the newlyweds added.
“The house will be built, and all of these people present will make it a home,” Rotter said.