A Desert Wedding With Midcentury Modern Touches at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, California
A simple swipe on a dating app can lead to great things. Andrew Rohrlich recalls, "Being the eager beaver that I am, I asked Danny if he wanted to get coffee later that day." That coffee date with Danny Lewis marked the start of a lasting connection. "I literally felt sparks fly when Danny walked in, and Danny didn't want the date to end," says Andrew. Andrew's feelings deepened as time passed, and he was sure about his future with Danny: "I knew I wanted to spend my life with Danny pretty quickly." This certainty led to a beautiful proposal on a picturesque beach in Santa Barbara, where, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Andrew made it official after a day of exploring the town. "When we arrived on the beach," Danny reminisces, "Andrew popped the question, and I said 'of course.' We popped Champagne & watched the sunset together."
Both grooms agreed on a laid-back and relaxed affair where they could be themselves and have fun: an event that their nearest and dearest could enjoy to its fullest. Guided by their wedding planner, they transformed a hotel ballroom into a lush, personalized space filled with small details. For florals, the couple and their team created bright and natural arrangements that perfectly complemented the wedding's beautiful setting.
Their fashion choices—namely, their expert fit—were carefully considered. Both gentlemen selected custom-made suits that fit them perfectly and reflected their individual styles: Andrew chose a deeper navy, while Danny opted for a brighter shade of blue. Both grooms opted for dark ties, light shirts and boutonnieres displaying coral-and-blush flowers to create a cohesive look between the two of them.
The wedding day itself was a beautiful culmination of their planning journey. Guests gathered in an atmosphere that perfectly encapsulated their vision of a laid-back celebration. The broken arch under which they exchanged vows, set against the backdrop of rolling hills, framed them in a way that made the moment even more special. "The most special moment of our wedding was our vows. We wrote them ourselves, and they moved us both to tears," shares Danny. Their dog, Oreo, accompanied Danny and Andrew at the altar.
Personalization was at the heart of their celebration, with a custom-made Jeopardy board featuring lavender hues that engaged and delighted their guests and served as an interactive escort card display. As Danny and Andrew reminisced, "Each guest had to find themselves on the board by locating the clue about them. Once they did, they could turn the square to reveal their seat. We wrote each clue ourselves."
As the day transitioned into the reception, the lush florals and succulent centerpieces set the stage for a memorable evening of celebration. Succulent centerpieces adorned each reception table, bearing their wedding logo, lovingly assembled by the couple themselves. Low-and-lush centerpieces showcasing bright florals in peach tones complemented the pale green plates and linens. Dancing and heartfelt toasts were among their favorite moments, adding an extra layer of joy to the day. Their beloved Oreo played a prominent role in decor details, appearing on cocktail stirrers, napkins and even as a miniature statue on their bespoke cake topper.
The day was a beautiful and customized reflection of their love—personal, fun and surrounded by the warmth of friends and family. Their journey of planning and trusting their chosen vendors had resulted in a day that was truly their own. The newlyweds express to other couples in the midst of planning: "Have fun, express your vision to the vendors you're working with, and then trust them to do what they're great at!"