Jen and Brad locked eyes at a mutual friend’s birthday party in 2003—when she was just a college freshman! After being introduced, the two talked, flirted, played card games, and laughed all night. Brad gave Jen big goodnight kiss and said he would call the next day. And he did! More than eight years later, Brad and Jen have never been apart. They were married January 30 at the Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach, California.

I’m not sure if you’ll be able to tell it in these pics, but the ceremony and reception were held in the same ballroom space! Jen and Brad’s event designer, Jeremy Smith of Thank Goodness It’s Sophia Catering, hung floor-to-ceiling white drapes during the ceremony, and removed them while guests were mingling in the venue’s foyer and courtyard during the cocktail hour.

Says Jen: “When doors to the ballroom re-opened after cocktail hour, there were gasps! ‘How did they do that so quickly?’ people asked. ‘This is awesome!’”

Behold the magic!  The bridal wedding band is from Alex Woo’s Zhuli’s Collection.