Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

We’re so excited to celebrate our special weekend with close friends and family in beautiful Playa del Carmen, Mexico! Get ready for a few days of love, margaritas, and fun. We also hope you take some time to relax, unwind, and make a few unforgettable memories of your own! To RSVP, please follow these two important steps: RSVP: Kindly RSVP by clicking the&nbsp;RSVP button above. Hotel Booking: Please book your room&nbsp;only&nbsp;through the link provided below. This ensures you receive our special group rate. Do not book directly with the hotel. <a href="https://www.classicvacations.com/gr/derekanddavid" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.classicvacations.com/gr/derekanddavid</a>Invitation Code: seaside We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Our Wedding

Our Story

Our story began in the most unexpected of places, a bathroom line at a bar in Orlando. We instantly recognized each other from just weeks before when we sat across from one another at what would become our favorite Starbucks (lots of love to Colonia Plaza). It was the summer of 2016, just after the Pulse nightclub tragedy. It was a complex and emotional time, and like many, we were searching for connection, comfort, and something to hold on to. What we found in each other was just that.

From our very first date, something felt different, easy, familiar, and full of potential… and shockingly, neither of us tried to awkwardly escape through a bathroom window. We quickly discovered we were both born in Pittsburgh, and even more meaningfully, we shared the same dreams: a desire for adventure, a love of travel, and deep connections with the people around us. Our values lined up so naturally, and our future goals just kind of clicked; like they'd always been part of the same plan.

As our relationship grew, so did our love. Movie nights, Christmas traditions, spontaneous getaways, and quiet evenings at home became the threads that wove our lives together. In 2018, we took the next step and moved in together.&nbsp;Tight corners in David’s little bungalow could have quickly turned bad, so we found a place to truly make our own, a home where we could build a life together. With our little dog Tucker (forever in our hearts), we filled that space with laughter, warmth, lots of Christmas trees, and the people we love.

Travel became one of the great joys of our relationship. From Pride celebrations around the country to our annual Winter trips, to breathtaking trips across Europe and two amazing visits to Hawaii, each one of these adventures brought us closer. We can’t forget the countless cruises Derek’s forced David to go (he secretly enjoys them too)! Travel is, and always will be, one of the strongest threads in our story.

After many wonderful years in Orlando, life brought us a new adventure: Tampa. It wasn’t easy leaving a city that held so much of our history, but we were ready to embrace the change. This past year, we made another dream come true by building our first home together—an expression of everything we’ve created as a couple. Today, we spend our days enjoying the little things: our pool, new restaurants, fitness goals, and of course, decorating a lot for Christmas.

Through the years, we've stood beside each other through career changes, new cities, heartache and healing, and all the beautiful moments in between. We’ve built a life rooted in laughter, loyalty, and love. And now, we couldn’t be more excited to begin the next chapter—celebrating our love surrounded by the friends and family who have walked this journey with us.

Photos

John and Derek have been best friends for nearly 20 years. John’s the older one, so he likes to think that makes him wiser but after four days in Mexico with him, you can decide for yourself. Both proudly hail from the Pittsburgh area and speak fluent “Yinz,” which is basically its own language. Their friendship kicked off at Cirque du Soleil, back when it was still called Pleasure Island. Because, what says 'lifelong bond' better than shirtless acrobats defying gravity and overpriced popcorn?
Since then, they’ve cruised the high seas, taken many trips that end up with late night Taco Bell runs, and consumed an unhealthy amount of Chinese takeout. John’s been there through all of Derek’s life chapters, relationships, job changes, minor meltdowns and somehow still stuck around. Derek’s beyond lucky to have him as a best friend, partner-in-chaos, and now, Best Man. 



John Farr

Will and David met in the fall of 2001 when Will said, “Hey! Come have dinner at my Chinese restaurant.” The rest was history! Whether they were partying too hard on Thursday nights or treating themselves to a fancy dinner (despite being broke), it was only the beginning of what would become a lifelong friendship.  Since then, David and Will remained inseparable through every milestone, graduations, moves, new jobs, tough losses, one wedding, and now another one.

Will has always been the kind of friend who shows up not just to celebrate the good times, but to help shoulder the hard ones. Whether it was offering his couch to crash on or being a steady voice of reason when life got chaotic, Will has proven time and again that he’s someone you can count on.  Will was all in as best man and ready with the kind of advice (like handing over a drink) that only a lifelong friend knows to give. 

On this special day, Will stands not just as a friend, but as chosen family, someone who’s been part of the journey from the very beginning

Will Campbell

When we started thinking about who we wanted to marry us, we knew right away it couldn’t just be any officiant. This wasn’t something we wanted to check off a list, it was important to us that the person standing with us was someone special. We wanted someone who not only knows us but also represents the community we’re so proud to be a part of. Someone who’s a husband himself, who has walked the journey, and who so many people in the LGBTQ+ community admire and look up to.
That made the choice pretty easy. We couldn’t imagine anyone better than our dear friend, Bruce Rohr to officiate our wedding in Mexico! From celebrating Pride in our nation’s capital to sharing late-night laughs (and plenty of cocktails), Bruce has always been someone who embodies love, friendship, and joy. We couldn’t be happier to have Bruce standing with us on such a meaningful day. 


Bruce Rohr

Wedding Party

Q + A

Exquisite taste and exotic views will capture your heart at Secrets® Moxché Playa del Carmen, a&nbsp;AAA Five Diamond resort. Escape into luxury in the heart of the Riviera Maya, just a 10-minute drive from Playa del Carmen's famed Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), and indulge with an expansive and unique array of international cuisine from over a dozen&nbsp;restaurants and bars. Set on a pristine strip of white sandy beach, all of our 485&nbsp;lavish suites&nbsp;offer a contemporary experience with an earthy feel including luxurious amenities, stunning views, an in-room rolling bar,&nbsp;all-inclusive with signature&nbsp;Unlimited-Luxury® experience. Due to limited availability, we recommend reserving your rooms as soon as possible. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, so please secure your room promptly. Only $300 deposit is required to reserve your room. We have set up a wedding room block (LINK BELOW) with the resort for all-inclusive rates. All you need to do make your reservation on this specific booking site. Please don’t book a room outside of the room block. You must book on this specific website to join the wedding group and attend the wedding. HOTEL BOOKING LINK <a href="https://www.classicvacations.com/gr/derekanddavid" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.classicvacations.com/gr/derekanddavid</a>Invitation Code: seaside

Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen

Travel

WEDDING WEEKEND ITINERARY 

THURSDAY

Welcome Cocktails | Observatory Rooftop Lounge 8PM - 10PM

FRIDAY

Yoga | Beach (bring your own towel/optional)8:00 AM - 9:00 AMPoolside Mantarray Swim Up Bar10:00AMExplore Playa Del Carmen (at your leisure)

Saturday

Ceremony | Mystic Jungle5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Cocktail Reception | Mystic Jungle5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Dinner | Pool Terrace6:30 PM - 10:30 PM After Party | The Pharmacy11:00 PM

SUNDAY

Departure Mimosas

Itinerary

Registry

Dress Code for Wedding Ceremony and Reception

We can’t wait to celebrate with you under the palms! To embrace the beauty of our setting while staying comfortable in the warmth, we suggest Tropical Chic attire. For men, this means lightweight suits or separates in breathable fabrics like linen or cotton—feel free to skip the tie and opt for lighter colors like tan, sage, or light blue. You can also never go wrong with a pop of color! For women, we recommend flowing midi or maxi dresses in vibrant colors or floral prints. As we will be outdoors, we suggest choosing block heels, wedges, or dressy flats to ensure you can move easily across the resort surfaces. Think polished, elegant, and ready for a beautiful ocean breeze! Click the photos below for examples to help guide you in finding the best look! Further down, find a more detailed summary of the resort's dress code during daytime and evening hours outside of the wedding events.

Resort Dress Code

The dress code at Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen is designed to balance a luxury vacation atmosphere with the refined elegance of its dining venues. The resort generally utilizes four levels of attire: Casual (Breakfast &amp; Lunch)This is the standard for daytime dining and buffets, focusing on comfort while maintaining a respectful resort environment.For Men: Bermudas, long shorts, or Capri pants are allowed. Sleeveless shirts are typically not permitted in indoor dining areas.For Women: Bathing suit cover-ups are required.Footwear: Sneakers, tennis shoes, or sandals are acceptable. Casual Elegance (Dinner)Most specialty restaurants follow this code in the evening, requiring a step up from daytime wear.For Men: Long pants and collared shirts (polo or button-down) are required. Sleeveless shirts and flip-flops are strictly prohibited.For Women: Blouses, skirts, slacks, or dresses paired with dress sandals.Footwear: Dress shoes or loafers are recommended for men. Formal (Fine Dining)Reserved primarily for the French restaurant, Bisou, this is the most sophisticated level of dress.For Men: Long pants, collared shirts, and dress shoes are mandatory.For Women: Evening dresses, elegant skirts, or slacks with dress shoes.Note: While some guests have reported a slight relaxation toward "smart casual" closed-toe shoes recently, it is best to stick to traditional dress shoes to ensure entry. Beach CasualThis applies to poolside grills and outdoor snack bars.Requirements: Swim trunks, bathing suits, and flip-flops are perfectly acceptable in these designated outdoor zones.

Dress Code

Tours & Excursions

Beyond the wedding festivities, Playa del Carmen offers an incredible variety of experiences for every traveler. Guests can arrange excursions through the Amstar DMC desk located in the resort's main lobby upon arrival. We've highlighted a few below.