Long Beach Love Stories: DUSTY + ANDREW

Photo by Turner Acre Photo Artistry

“2ND CHANCE LOVE”

Andy and Dusty worked together for over 20 years. During that time, both were previously married and widowed. In more recent years, they discovered that they lived just a few blocks away from each other in Long Beach. They became friends and would occasionally have dinner or meet up for happy hour after work. 

In 2020, they started to spend more time together and began to connect in a different way. Dusty joined Andrew on evening walks with his dogs, Rocky & Arvin (pets, she wants to emphatically express, which soon became her dogs too). They started to explore local restaurants, cook new recipes together, and share a love of the outdoors. “Our transition from friends to partners was an easy one. We felt very comfortable with each other,” says Dusty. “In July of 2022, he proposed to me on the beach, and we started planning our wedding about 6 months later.”

When they toured Altar, they immediately fell in love with the uniqueness of the venue. They didn’t want a traditional banquet hall and loved the lounge feel of Altar, as well as all the vintage features in this historic building including the arched ceiling, unique light fixtures, velvet lounge furniture, the fireplace, the exposed brick, and the ornate wood backdrop for the ceremony and reception area.

LONG BEACH VENDORS

VENUE: Altar

FOOD, DRINKS + DESSERT: 24 Carrots

FLORIST: Arroyo Arrangements

PLANNER-COORDINATOR: Jess Marie Events

PHOTO-VIDEO: Turner Acre Photo Artistry

MUSIC: Tempoe Entertainment DJ’s