Long Beach Love Stories: VALERIE + NOAH

Photo by Heidi Noelle Allen

“HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS”

Though Valerie and Noah were both born at (former) Long Beach Community Hospital just a few months apart, they grew up in different Long Beach neighborhoods and didn’t meet until freshman year in high school when they shared a class together in the CIC program at Poly. Even then, despite both later admitting they immediately had a crush on the other, neither of them spoke to their crush for another two whole years! In junior year, fate placed Noah once again in class with Valerie. Thanks to that fortuitous second class together, and some newfound courage, the two became high school sweethearts.

They attended CSULB together and graduated in 2018. At the end of 2022, after nearly 10 years together, the two became engaged and picked “the perfect date,” April 25th, for their wedding… only slightly influenced by the movie “Miss Congeniality.”

Noah and Valerie discovered Rec Park 18 at the venue’s wedding show. They immediately loved the gazebo, the outdoor cocktail area surrounded by fuchsia bougainvillea, the high ceilings in the ballroom, and the fact that it had both a bridal and groom suite. “It was also convenient to find a venue local to many of our family and friends,” shares Valerie.

LONG BEACH VENDORS

VENUE: Recreation Park Golf Course 18

FOOD, DRINKS + DESSERT: Cha For Tea, Cinnaholic

FLORIST: Flowers By Melis: Melissa Erker

OFFICIANT: Great Officiants: Johnathan Forde

INVITATIONS-CALLIGRAPHY: CSULB Print Shop (invitations), CSULB Bookstore (signs + posters)

BEAUTY SERVICES: Dave’s Hair Loft