Full Circle at The Ebell: A Wedding, a Grandmother’s Legacy, and a Story Years in the Making

Some love stories don’t just span years—they span generations.
For Kathryn, choosing The Ebell of Los Angeles as her wedding venue was more than just a decision about aesthetics or ambiance; it was about honoring a legacy deeply rooted in her family’s story.

Kathryn/s connection to The Ebell began long before her engagement. Her mother attended Sunday School there as a child. Years later, she served as a flower girl at a wedding held at the venue, and later attended a school semi-formal in its historic halls. So when it came time to choose a place to celebrate her own wedding to Ben, The Ebell felt like a natural, deeply sentimental choice—a place woven into the fabric of her life.

But perhaps the most meaningful connection comes through her beloved grandmother—a Holocaust survivor whose life was a testament to resilience, reinvention, and joy. After enduring unimaginable trauma, she immigrated to the United States, started over, and never stopped dreaming. One of the bride’s favorite memories is visiting her at the Senior Center and watching her line dance—her energy, joy, and love for performance were magnetic.

Though her grandmother didn’t often offer advice in words, her actions spoke volumes. In her 80s, she taught herself to swim, and at 83, she began pursuing acting—landing roles in The Andy Milonakis Show, Entourage, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Gilmore Girls. That last credit? It was filmed at The Ebell.

Her grandmother’s influence remains strong. From Passover seders filled with laughter and her famous matzoh ball soup, to the scent of Estée Lauder “Youth Dew” (which she affectionately pronounced “yute doo”), she left an indelible mark on her granddaughter’s life. And now, as this bride prepares to say “I do,” she’ll be doing so in the same place her grandmother once stood—living her dream as an actress, decades after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust.

This scene features her grandma doing a cameo on Gilmore Girls! It was filmed at the historic Ebell Art Salon in Los Angeles.

Kathryn and Ben’s wedding is not just a celebration of love, but a tribute to generations of strength, memory, and the beauty of coming full circle—right in the heart of The Ebell.