They started dating in high school. We were introduced to them on Issa Rae’s Sweet Life: Los Angeles reality TV show, and now they’ve tied the knot.
Jerrold Smith II and Cheryl Des Vignes celebrated their love on May 1 with an intimate, elegant wedding at The Majestic Downtown in Los Angeles.
The couple, whose relationship was on full display on the hit reality show, tied the knot in a ceremony that was more than just a wedding – it was a love letter to Los Angeles, the city they call home.
Their journey together, from high school sweethearts to stars on TV, culminated in a day filled with personal touches, music, and memories that will last a lifetime.
The ceremony, though intimate with only their closest friends and family, felt grand in every sense with a black-tie, all-black dress code.
Cheryl, a fashion designer, hand-crafted her bouquet and designed the florals for her bridesmaids. Jerrold, the style icon, wore a custom tuxedo by Brandon Murphy of BMC Studio, which featured a special embroidered detail – their wedding date – making the suit an even more personal keepsake.
Jerrold’s uncle, who also officiated his parents’ wedding years ago, led the ceremony, adding a multigenerational element to their special day. The couple’s first steps down the aisle were set to the soulful melodies of Luther Vandross’ If This World Were Mine for Jerrold, and Everything (Interlude) into Everything by Kehlani, performed live on violin by Jeremy Green, for Cheryl.
After exchanging their vows, they recessed to Beyoncé’s Cuff It.
The crowd, made up of close friends, family, and Sweet Life castmates, was treated to an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and a menu that reflected the couple’s love for their city.
Guests enjoyed delicious dishes from Ackee Bamboo, one of Jerrold and Cheryl’s favorite local spots, with classic options like oxtail and jerk chicken. Prosecco flowed throughout the night courtesy of Viarae, a meaningful nod to the couple’s time on Sweet Life.
We had the opportunity to get some details about the wedding from the couple, how reality TV has strengthened their relationship, and more.
You’ve shared so much of your love story with the world, from Sweet Life to your engagement. How does it feel to now be entering this next chapter in such a public and meaningful way?
Cheryl: It feels incredible—like I’m floating on a little cloud I never want to come down from. I’m riding this high that took us a long time to reach, but the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. After everything it took to get here, I just want to stay in this moment for as long as I can.
Jerrold: If I’m being honest, we’ve been completely overwhelmed—in the best way—by all the love and support coming our way. It honestly makes us wish Sweet Life was still airing so everyone could truly share in this moment with us. I think that really speaks to the kind of relationship Cheryl and I have—we’re deeply rooted in the community of love, friendship, and support that surrounds us. Entering this next chapter with so many people in our corner feels incredible. For me personally, the honeymoon phase is absolutely as real as they say it is. The happiness I’ve felt since our wedding day is unmatched, and it’s made me even more excited for everything ahead.
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about each other over the years?
The biggest lesson we’ve learned over the years is to love every version of each other as we grow. We’ve been together for a long time, and over that time, we’ve both gone through different phases—different mindsets, goals, even styles. It’s taught us that real love isn’t just about who someone is right now, but also about embracing who they’re becoming.
How did Sweet Life: Los Angeles strengthen your relationship in unexpected ways?
Reality TV puts your life under a microscope in a way that’s not always easy—whether you’re in a relationship or not. You really have to be solid in who you are, because people will form opinions about every little thing, which, with Sweet Life being our first experience with real reality TV, we learned together in real time. Having each other to lean on through that experience—the good parts and the not-so-great ones—just made our relationship stronger.
It reminded us that at the end of the day, we’re a team. Also, life on the other side of Sweet Life looks completely different from when we started. That platform gave us a new runway to chase our dreams, and it taught us new ways to show up for each other along the way. It opened doors, gave us new resources, and challenged us to grow—not just individually, but as a couple too.
Jerrold, you’ve spoken about how the show sparked more emotional vulnerability among your male peers — how did that spill into your relationship with Cheryl?
Being on reality TV taught me how to process a lot of emotions in real time—mainly because I had no choice. Navigating difficult situations on screen forced me to confront things I might’ve otherwise avoided, and it made me look at my relationships, especially the one with Cheryl, in a completely different light.
As our relationship is the most important one in my life, it naturally benefited as I became more emotionally mature. There were feelings I had that, even though we were always open with each other, I didn’t fully know how to express. If the show hadn’t pushed me to face those things head-on, I honestly don’t know how long it would’ve taken me to get there on my own. We’ve always approached our relationship with the mindset that self-improvement comes first. We’ve learned that in order to be our best together, we have to be our best selves individually.
As someone who used to bottle up a lot of emotions, learning to become more emotionally mature had a huge impact on our relationship. It pushed me to show up in a more present, intentional way—not just for Cheryl, but for myself too.
Was there a specific mood or vibe you were both trying to create with this wedding?
We really wanted the wedding to feel timeless and elegant, with every visual element flowing seamlessly. That’s why we went with the black-tie, all-black dress code—we wanted everyone to feel like they were stepping into our version of a gala—elegant, sophisticated, and unforgettable. There was drapery throughout, subtly hinting at the ebb and flow of timeless romance. And everything was tied together perfectly with the extravagance of Cheryl’s dress as the main event, showstopper moment
You’re both deeply involved in creative culture — Jerrold through podcasting and brand partnerships, Cheryl through fashion and entrepreneurship. How do you support each other’s ambitions while maintaining a strong relationship?
It’s really important to both of us that, even within a strong partnership, we stay true to ourselves. We’ve always made space for each other to grow individually, and that’s what makes our relationship even stronger—we’re able to bring the best versions of ourselves to it. Supporting each other comes naturally because at the end of the day, we just want to see the other win. Whether it’s chasing big career goals, diving into creative projects, or just surviving a hectic week, we’re each other’s biggest fans.
What advice would you give to other young Black couples trying to build something lasting while building careers at the same time?
Your relationship isn’t what defines you. Don’t lose sight of who you are—because the strongest relationships are built when both people are committed to growing and loving themselves first. When that foundation is solid, everything else falls into place naturally.
What were you most looking forward to on the wedding day?
Cheryl: I was most looking forward to the ‘I do’s’—and everything after that. The reception and celebrating with our people felt like the moment we could finally exhale. And truthfully, I’ve been waiting to say ‘my husband’ for months.
Jerrold: On our wedding day, I was most looking forward to that moment when I’d see Cheryl in her dress for the first time. The anticipation was killing me—I already knew she had picked something incredible, and I couldn’t wait to see it all come together.
Congratulations to Jerrold and Cheryl!
Photo Credit: Trish Rae/One Seven Films
