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TABLE OF CONTENTS WINTER 2023
128
Cover Story
OUR LOVE STORY Actress Raven Goodwin shares her beautiful love with husband Wiley Battle
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Volume 15 Mary Chatman Editor-in-Chief Scott Chatman Chief Financial Officer Candice Davie Associate Editor Dara Adams Fashion Editor Kennedi LéShea Fashion Writer Carly Totten Deputy Copy Editor Amber Spence Sales Associate Toneka Royal Columnist
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jomuelle Anicet B. Gandy Kiyah Wright Stephanie Kilson-Thomas Eilena Mercier-Ehmann Khrystina Steib Christina and Stephon Chaney Tamela and Demario Davis Aaliyah and Logan Johnson Shannon SG Jarrett Design, Art Direction & Production Mary Chatman Publisher
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An Undeniable Chemistry
Interview with Gospel Legend Darlene McKoyJackson
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Published by BLACK BRIDETM 320 Town Center Avenue Suite C-11 Suwanee, GA 30024 Copyright © 2023 Black Bride. All rights reserved.
In Every Issue
Health & Beauty
7
Editor’s Letter
10
8
Our Editor's Picks
12
Covershoot Team
20
Real Engagements
58
Bridal Fashion Trend Report
144
After the Aisle
First Comes Love:
Choosing the Right Hair Style for Your Wedding Dress
Real Engagements
14
Bridal Beauty Must-Haves
25
18
Hone in on Your Body Goals
29
20
33 37
Planning
Then Comes Marriage:
50
How to Effortlessly Pose for Photos
52
Wedding Floral Advice
54
Inspiration Boards
41
Real Weddings
72
Toccara and Darron
Quintana Roo, Mexico
80
86
Ivie and Chris
45
98
Diamond and Jyron
Dunwoody, GA
Kimberly and Gregory
Atlanta, GA
Brema and Malcolm
Miami, FL
Gabrielle and Jarret
Houston, TX
Chelsea and Anthony
Monahans, TX
Travel
Denthea and Charles
154
Alina and Quinten
Romantic Destinations:
Antigua and Barbudu
Punta Cana, DR
Bridal Suite
Sanschy and Jehu
158
Winter Springs, FL
104
Tristian and Harold
Miami, FL
Universal City, CA
Santa Susana, CA
92
Vanesia and Stanley
Santorini, Greece
Collection of Fine Vendors Resource Guide
Sling and Rohan Negril, Jamaica
110
Lazette and Eric Staten Island, NY
116
Acantha and Sheriff Atlanta, GA
122
Naja-Achee and Deion New Orleans, LA
FOR MORE, SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TODAY Everything you need to plan your dream wedding: Inspiration • Real Weddings • Fine Vendors
GET SOCIAL WITH US! /blackbride1998
@blackbride1998
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UNFORGETTABLE WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS 4 0 4 9 9 5 75 5 0 | WA L D O R FA S TO R I A AT L A N TA .CO M 3 376 P E AC H T R E E R D N E , AT L A N TA , G A 3 0 3 2 6 6
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BRIDE
FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
DEAR BRIDES, Congratulations on your engagement! Love is in the air, and the world is now open. We’re celebrating 25 years in business this year! The Biden Administration announced it will declare an end to the Covid-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. We will no longer be in a pandemic, and it’s happening just in time for the wedding season and a year of celebrating a milestone in business. I am happy and excited for you to begin the next chapter on your journey to the aisle. Before you know it, you will be celebrating your first anniversary like actress Raven Goodwin, who celebrated one year of marriage to Wiley Battle last October. We featured the couple’s newlywed love story in the last issue of Black Bride Magazine, and we are now celebrating their one-year anniversary as our cover bride and groom. Raven sat down with writer Kennedi Leshea for a candid conversation to share what she’s gleaned along the way about marriage, her career, and herself. As you begin the planning process for your big day, I ask you to consider planning in a different way. We are blessed to have made it through the pandemic. Think about how your wedding will convey the life and love between you and your partner. Envision how you can truly make the day a day filled with memories and special moments for your family and friends.
SALONI BABY BLUE CAMILLE BOWS SHORT-B DRESS $725 TNUCK.COM
CRYSTAL & PEARL 18K GOLD PLATED EARRINGS $45 ETTIKA.COM
Cheers to the ones-to-be wed, the amazing pros that make dreams a reality, and the friends and family that love and support you! We hope you are inspired by what we’ve curated. From beauty and planning tips to the bridal fashion trend report, and more, we’ve got you covered. We’re honored to share Black love stories that inspire couples about love and marriage before and after the aisle.
Mary
Mary Chatman Editor-in-Chief
JIMMY CHOO SACARIA 120 PEARL-EMBELLISHED SATIN PLATFORM SANDALS $2,050 JIMMYCHOO.COM
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOVE Wow him at the rehearsal dinner! For more inspo and wedding vendor info visit our website at BlackBride.com Follow us on IG: @BlackBride1998. Email us at: hello@blackbride.com and let us know what you think of this issue.
CHECK OUT OUR EDITORS’ TOP PICKS FOR THE SEASON CULT GAIA ANNIKA ACRYLIC CLUTCH $360 MODAOPERANDI.COM
GUERLAINMON GUERLAIN EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY FEATURING FRENCH LAVENDER, INDIAN JASMINE, SANDALWOOD AND VANILLA TAHITENSIS $155 SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM
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COVER SHOOT CREATIVE TEAM
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ith every issue of Black Bride Magazine, we see and feel the ascension. We are thrilled to feature Raven Goodwin and Wiley Battle on the cover of the magazine for their one-year anniversary celebration! Our mission is to celebrate, inspire, and uplift women of color and their journey to love, marriage, and even motherhood if they so choose. This platform was designed to showcase positive imagery and embody the love that we seek to share, as we invite our readers to partake in the most precious and intimate moments of a woman’s life.
CREATIVE DIRECTION Mary Chatman Editor-in-Chief
BRIDAL FASHION STYLIST Dara Adams Fashion Editor
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We honor all women of color, while celebrating cultural diversity, beauty, style, grace, and regalness. We are here for couples before and after the aisle. Meet the creative team that came together to make it happen!
PHOTOGRAPHER Phylicia Duncombe PD Photography
IG: @PDPHOTOGRAPHY_ PHYLICIADUNCOMBE.COM
PHOTOGRAPHER Antonio (Tony) Minefield YNOT iMages IG: @YNOT_IMAGES YNOTIMAGES.COM
BEAUTY B Gandy B For Beauty
IG: @BFORBEAUTE.CO BFORBEAUTE.COM
BEAUTY Khamilia Levonne Kreative L Styles LLC
IG: @KHAMILIALEVONNE KHAMILIALEVONNE.COM
HAIR STYLIST Shaquail Montgomery DMayas Therapeutic Crave
HAIR STYLIST Jamila Tarsai Jamila Tarsai Artistry
GROOM STYLING Aaliyah Taylor
GROOM STYLING Chike Azinge The Bespoke Room
IG: @JAMILATARISAI JAMILATARISAI.COM
CINEMA/BEHIND THE SCENES Neshazda Write Neshazda Z Photography IG: @NESHASZDAZPHOTOGRAPHY BIT.LY/NESHASZDAZ
@OOHLALA_LILI AALIYAHTAYLOR.COM
STYLING ASSISTANT Michaela Johnson IG:@MICHAELAJ.J
IG: DMAYAS_CRAVE DMAYAHAIR.COM
IG: @BESPOKEROOM BESPOKEROOMUS.COM
STYLING ASSISTANT Megan-Marie Pennant IG: @OHMYMEGAN21
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Real
Engagements How real couples knew they were the "one" for each other
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Photo Courtesy of Kaviar
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BRIDAL FASHION TREND REPORT
‘T
is the season for new bridal fashion! The Fall ‘23 Bridal collections are finally here and filled with designs for every bride. But we can’t deny that some styles make more of a statement than others. If you are on the lookout for your wedding gown, take a look at our list of top bridal trends to pay attention to.
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Real
Weddings
See how real brides made their “Big Day” truly the day of their dreams.
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Photographer: YNOT iMages 128
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COVER STORY
our Love Story &
Raven Goodwin Wiley Battle
S
ince the young age of ten, Raven Goodwin has lit up our TV and movie screens as various archetypes of what bold and beautiful Black women and young girls can and should look like. From her first taste of mainstream success in her role as the sassy and supportive best friend Ivy Wentz on the hit Disney Channel show, “Good Luck, Charlie,” to her initial induction into all-around acclaim in her role as Neicy in the widely praised BET drama “Being Mary Jane,” Raven has consistently given us range and relatability. Goodwin’s career often involves portraying complex characters women of all walks of life can relate to, and she’s established herself as a true inspiration for the audience that grew up alongside her. Despite having achieved much success both personally and professionally, Raven still deals with comments from peers and friends who feel as though she’s “slept on” to which she replies, “Nobody’s sleeping on me. I’m not underrated. I am not an underdog; I am Raven Goodwin. My career is written. Whoever works with me is going to be extremely blessed as am I. And my career is forever.” As her career’s infinity has grown, Goodwin has also recently added wife and mother to her resumé’s long list. On October 29, 2021, Goodwin and her longtime beau, Wiley Battle, tied the knot with just each other and their daughter, Riley Rosa, in Santorini, Greece. Since her wedding day, Goodwin has learned much and evolved continuously, and she chatted with us to share what she’s gleaned along the way about marriage, her career, and herself.
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After THE AISLE Lessons Learned in Love and Life with Your Spouse
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