Couple Marries at Site of Home Destroyed by Fire
A couple from Southern California, who tragically lost their home in the devastating Eaton Fire, tied the knot at the location where their Altadena house once stood.
Kenny Lotter, 41, and Morgan Soloway, 39, were photographed smiling alongside loved ones amidst the charred remains of their previous home, with the new wooden frame of their future residence visible behind them.
The heartfelt ceremony took place on July 5th, right where their future kitchen will be constructed.
While staying with a friend who took them in after the disaster, Lotter came up with the idea for the wedding. “I thought, what’s the best way to make something positive out of this moment?” he reflected. “I’ve told people that this is both the best and worst time of my life. The worst reasons are, of course, clear, but the best part is the incredible outpouring of love and support.”
He mentioned feeling relieved that Soloway and their dog made it through the fire unscathed. “I knew everything that truly mattered was safe,” he added, noting it was a “strangely liberating” experience because his primary needs were met.
Soloway humorously disagreed, sharing a different perspective on the situation.
Choosing not to go with a traditional wedding venue, the couple felt it was right to celebrate at the site of their former home.
Ms. Soloway acknowledged the stress of planning the wedding in just eight weeks but felt that being on the grounds made it feel appropriate.
About 130 guests attended the wedding, far beyond the couple’s expectations given the short timeline. They even managed to incorporate the special day into their reconstruction plans with the contractor.
The moment they exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends, in a place where they envision spending their lives, was deeply emotional for them both.
“It was very emotional, but in a very good way,” they said. “These people supported us after the fire. They’ll always be part of this house.”
Instead of a conventional guestbook, attendees signed a wooden frame that will be part of the rebuilt home.
The couple first crossed paths in December 2017, thanks to mutual friends, and connected through a dating app. Their initial coffee meet-up blossomed into a strong relationship, and over time, they’ve lived in both Pasadena and Altadena, shared life with over 20 dogs, completed Tough Mudder races, and traveled together.
Since the fire, their rebuilding process has been moving along steadily. “We broke ground in April and are currently framing,” they shared.
The couple got engaged in January 2024, during a magic show at a distillery in Las Vegas. After buying their first home in Altadena that March, they decided to delay wedding plans until they were more settled in.
The Eaton Fire wreaked havoc in Altadena and Pasadena in January, leading to the destruction of over 9,418 structures, with additional damage to 1,073 homes. Sadly, more than 6,000 residences were lost and 19 lives were claimed.
“It felt devastating and confusing to witness our house burned to the ground,” they said, reflecting on the experience.
While they felt grateful for their family’s safety after evacuation, Lotter expressed the loss of everything they had worked for was quite heavy. Friends quickly set up a GoFundMe, highlighting the couple’s character as always being the first to lend a hand to others.
The campaign raised approximately $50,000 to assist with expenses not covered by disaster relief, while they look for temporary housing and continue the rebuilding journey.
