For Ariell Kirylo and Ted Chen, love arrived with cosmic timing. Ted, a celebrated Southern California newscaster for NBC, and Ariell were introduced by a Christian matchmaker after Ariell had moved from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. Serendipitously, the pair discovered they had unknowingly shared the same spiritual home—Vintage Church in Santa Monica. "That was certainly an interesting twist, to know we were in each others' vicinity all along, but it took me moving to DC to call a matchmaker based out of Florida to meet a man at my church in LA! And they say dating in LA is hard," laughs the bride.
It was only fitting that their wedding ceremony took place in the very space that once connected them without their knowing. Set beneath the ethereal arches of Vintage Church, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by lush arrangements of white roses and delicate orchids. The design was timeless and elegant, reflecting the couple's desire to keep their day focused on meaningful moments rather than fleeting trends.
The celebration continued at the iconic Hotel Bel-Air, a location dear to both Ariell and Ted, where they had shared several cherished dates during their courtship. Guests were welcomed into a reception space adorned with cascading white florals, romantic candlelight, and gold accents. The timeless aesthetic blended seamlessly with the venue's old Hollywood charm. Ariell and Ted gave a subtle nod to their cultural heritage through thoughtful guest favors: custom-branded chopsticks representing Ted's Chinese American roots and traditional Italian bonbonniere reflecting Ariell's heritage.
Reflecting on their day, Ariell shared, "Ted and I wanted to keep things simple. We didn't care about trends; we just wanted to create a classic, beautiful and memorable experience where our guests truly enjoyed themselves."
