Real Weddings

See how real brides made their “Big Day” truly the day of their dreams.

READY FOR love An Intimate Interview with Actress Raven Goodwin

and Black Bride Editor-in-Chief Mary Chatman

If “how to manifest your soulmate husband by setting intentions” was a person, it would be Being Mary Jane Actress Raven Goodwin!

When you lead with love, allowing your words to match what your heart truly desires, magical things happen. Being ready for our perfect soulmate has a lot to do with where we are mentally, physically, and emotionally. It determines if we possess the faith to do the inner work and then boldly say, “I’m ready. I’m going to meet my husband today.” That’s exactly what Raven Goodwin did shortly before meeting her now husband Wiley Battle, and the rest is now a beautiful love story.

We sat down with Raven to chat about deliberately choosing to be open to finding her forever love, her intimate Santorini, Greece wedding, and what’s on the horizon for her and Wiley in their marriage and careers. Raven: I bumped into Wiley at a Spelman/ Morehouse tailgate party. I was back and forth between Atlanta and L.A. filming Being Mary Jane. Wiley went to Morehouse but had moved to Charlotte from New York where he had been in business school. He was back in Atlanta for his first homecoming in two years. My friend, Mara, was going to be there and encouraged me to join her. I was like Black men, good music, good food, and a little tipsy sounds like a plan to me. I also jokingly said I was going to find my husband. We were all vibing and having a good time. I love the whole HBCU experience! There is nothing else like it! I was walking close to Wiley and accidentally bumped into him. He turned around, grabbed my arm, and he said, “You’re cute!” and I said, “Oh, you’re cute.” I walked away to see what he would do because I like persistence. He came back, and we talked for a while. I loved his confidence, so I gave him my number.

That same day, he called me, and we had a great conversation. A month later, he drove to D.C. to see me while I was visiting family for Thanksgiving, and we’ve been together ever since.

Mary: When did you realize that you had found “the one”?

We hung out on Nov. 26th and had brunch on the 27th. I had never been this direct with a man, but I said to him at brunch, “So, when am I going to see you again?” And he said, “Next weekend, come to Charlotte.” I booked my ticket right then and went to Charlotte. I had never met a man like him before. After that trip, I called my girlfriend and told her, “This is my husband.” He was in a transformative place and so was I, and I think that’s why we connected. Two years of our relationship was long distance, and we missed each other a lot! That was a clear indication too.

Mary: What do you love most about Wiley?

Raven: I love the way he thinks. He is logical and asks a lot of questions, and I’m very abstract and kind of irrational. He balances me out in learning how to think through things. Also, seeing him as a father confirmed that this is who he is. And he’s fine!

Mary: Tell me about the proposal. Were you surprised?

Raven: Yes! So, one day Wiley and I went on a picnic and we had a ball! I was obsessed over picnic baskets during that time. I picked one up in the store one day and when he told me to put it back, I got upset. After that, I was in New Orleans shooting Christmas Bells with Dominique Perry and Janet Hubert, and everytime I brought him up Dominique told me, “He’s going to propose to you. You’re getting engaged soon.” I didn’t think it was going to happen soon. She started speaking over my life telling me that we were going to get engaged, and we were going to have a baby girl first. Right after she said that, a pink balloon floated by our feet out of nowhere.

When I got back to Atlanta he took me to Piedmont Park, and he pulled out a picnic basket! Before we sat down, he pulled out the ring, and it was perfect! I was very surprised!

Mary: I love that he made it so special! So, what inspired you to have an intimate ceremony to celebrate your love?

Raven: Initially, we wanted a huge wedding, but then the pandemic hit and we were in a bubble with our newborn. No matter what we did, we could not narrow our list down, and we felt like it was an inconvenience to ask everyone to come out. I had to ask myself, “Why do you want a big wedding?” One of my good friends, who was also planning a wedding, had eloped. At that moment, God said to me, “This is what you need to do.” That night, I asked my friend about her wedding, and she said it was perfect. I talked to Wiley, and he said he was ready. We wanted our family to be whole, especially for our daughter. We did some research and decided to go to Santorini, Greece.

Mary: That’s what you call “doing it your way”.

Raven: It was really a dream!

Mary: That’s so wonderful that your daughter was there. Do you have plans of building your family?

Raven: Yes, I love children. I look at them as teachers. My daughter has taught me so many things about myself. We definitely want more kids.

Mary: What values are most important to you both as a couple?

Raven: For us, having faith and keeping a spiritual foundation. Getting up every day and choosing each other and choosing to be happy. Having those spiritual rituals every day, like prayer and meditation.

Mary: What goals have you set for your marriage?

Raven: Our biggest goal is to see our grandchildren, and to be together and in love. We met an older couple while we were out one day, and they told us there will be days where you love him, there will be days where he loves you, and then there’s days where you love each other. Bask in those moments because it gets tough.

Mary: Do you have date night?

Raven: An ideal night involves amazing food, like oysters, and good cocktails. We’ll ride around Atlanta, listen to trap music, and just talk. Mary: What’s your love language?

Raven: All of ‘em! Lol. Seriously, mine are physical touch and words of affirmation. I love that kind of romance — the corny, old-school love. His love languages are quality time and acts of service. He really loves to just be with me.

Mary: How are you managing love and life during the pandemic?

Raven: We were able to talk about what we really wanted and who we wanted to impact. With a new baby, we think about what we want to teach her and show her. We made sure we stayed on the same team during this weird time as new parents and now newlyweds. It was difficult not having our family and friends around. They were afraid of being around a newborn because of the pandemic.

Mary: What advice do you have for Black couples considering marriage?

Raven: Marry with God at the center and be individually sound. There have been times where I’ve said, “I need a second, let me go figure this out.” And he’s done the same. I think individuality is essential to a marriage. Love has to be at the helm. That’s self love, love for your parents and your friends, because it all flows together. Also, give grace. We are so flawed and we mess up sometimes.

Mary: What’s next for the both of you career wise?

Wiley is an executive financial officer, and he creates opportunities for doctors, dentists, and vets to start or expand their private practices through funding. Then, he loves the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs. He also has a business called Cigar Pxrn with his best friend. For me, I have Single Black Female coming out with Amber Riley, Janet Hubert, K. Michelle, and Devale Ellis. It’s going to be a great movie! I’ve also been cast to play Hattie McDaniel in a movie, and I’m hoping to launch a production company in the next two years.

Mary: I’m very proud of you both. I love what both of you have next. It’s very significant for our community.

We’re grateful to Raven and Wiley for sharing their sweet love story and wedding details with us. We look forward to seeing more from this lovely power couple as they continue on their journey in love and life.