Meet Brianna & Richard, a couple whose love story beautifully intertwines faith, family, and a touch of modern romance. From a Bumble match that took a year to blossom to a heartfelt proposal and a wedding centered on their devotion, their journey is a testament to God’s timing and the power of intentional love.
Full Names
Brianna Mooney & Richard Buckner Jr.
Occupations
Brianna — Chess at 3 Upper East Side Club Coordinator | Artist
Richard — Co-Founder of Black Creek Digital
Cultural Backgrounds
Brianna — Hispanic (mother) | Irish (father)
Richard — Black American (mother) | Black American (father)
Where & How Did You Meet?
A Tale as Old as Time… Bumble.
(Brianna’s version): We matched, we chatted… and then went our separate ways. A whole year passed before Richard reached back out. Communication was light, until one morning during quiet time with the Lord, I felt this nudge to reconnect. So I did—and we finally set a date.
We met at Buvette in the West Village on July 9th, 2022. I saw him standing in line and instantly swooned. (I mean… look at him!). That four-hour brunch flew by, and I walked away knowing I had just met someone really special. I called my parents and cousins right after like, “Guys—I think I just met my husband!” Their response? “Girl, slow your roll!” But deep down, I just knew.
(Richard’s version): We met on Bumble… eventually. She ghosted me (a few times), but I stayed hopeful. Funny enough, we were going to the same church the whole time—just different services. God’s timing, right?
Our first date at Buvette was unforgettable. Within 15 minutes, she asked if I’d spent quiet time with the Lord that morning (thankfully, yes!). I knew immediately she was different. Her love for Jesus and her deep care for others stood out in the most beautiful way.
She’s patient with me in ways I didn’t know I needed, and after she met my parents—and won them over—my dad pulled me aside and said, “Son, you’re not going to do much better than that.” He’s a wise man.
Where Did You Get Married & Why Did You Pick That Location?
We got married in Tarrytown, NY at the Abigail Kirsch Tappan Hill Mansion. Richard’s family is from Texas, and mine is from Baltimore, so we felt like this could be a special “in-between” for both sides of our family. We knew from the start that we wanted to get married in New York because it’s where our love story began. Tarrytown is just a quick train ride from the city, which made it perfect for anyone traveling in—it gave our guests a chance to explore and enjoy a little NYC magic before our big day.
We went on quite the venue tour that day, and honestly, after a handful of visits, we were feeling a little discouraged. I remember sitting in the back of an Uber with Richard, praying that the Lord would lead us to the right place—that we would feel peace and confidence when we found it. When we pulled up to Tappan Hill Mansion, it truly felt like an answered prayer.
The moment we arrived, we were greeted by Caitlin, who immediately made us feel so welcome. Even before we asked our questions, she was already answering them. As we walked through the space, we both felt a deep sense of peace and clarity—it was unlike anything we had felt on any of the other tours. We fell in love instantly.
What we loved most was that each part of the day had its own unique setting. There were different rooms for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, each with its own atmosphere and charm. When we stepped into the Pavilion, it took our breath away. Richard and I looked at each other and, for the first time, could truly picture our wedding day.
Choosing Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill Mansion was the easiest decision we made—it felt like the Lord went ahead of us and made the way clear. It was more than just a venue; it was the place where our marriage would begin, surrounded by the people we love most, with a deep sense of purpose and joy.
What Was The Most Important Thing To Each Of You When Planning Your Wedding?
The most important thing to us was keeping God at the center of everything. From the very beginning of planning, we knew we wanted our wedding day to reflect the Lord’s faithfulness and to honor Him in every detail—big or small. We weren’t just planning an event; we were preparing for a sacred moment, the start of our marriage, and we wanted to approach it with hearts full of gratitude and purpose.
We also knew this would be one of the only times in our lives that all of our favorite people—our closest friends and family—would be in one place together. That felt incredibly special. So it was really important to us that every guest felt loved, seen, and honored the second they arrived. We made a conscious effort to build in time throughout the weekend to connect with each guest, to thank them, and to just be present with them. Their presence meant the world to us, and we wanted them to feel that.
On a fun note—entertainment and food were also high on the priority list! I’m an artist, so incorporating live music throughout the day was a non-negotiable for me. There’s just something about live music that carries so much emotion and energy—whether it was the string quartet at the ceremony or the band that kept everyone dancing all night, it brought our day to life in such a meaningful way.
Richard, on the other hand, is a total foodie, so he took the lead on curating our menu—which, let me tell you, was no easy task because everything Abigail Kirsch makes is beyond delicious. Narrowing it down was honestly the most fun (and filling!) challenge. Our tasting felt more like a celebration than a decision-making moment—we left with full hearts and very full bellies. Richard did such an amazing job crafting a food experience that felt thoughtful, elevated, and completely true to us.
At the end of the day, our hope was that people didn’t just feel like they attended a wedding—but that they encountered love, warmth, intention, and the joy of the Lord throughout it all.
What Does Family Mean To You?
Family means everything to us. It’s something we talk about often—especially the idea of family culture and how the way we were both raised has shaped so much of who we are today. The love, traditions, values, and even the small everyday rhythms we grew up with made a deep impact on us, and we’re really passionate about carrying those things into our future family together.
But for us, family goes beyond just blood. Our community—the friends who have walked with us through seasons of joy, growth, and even challenge—are just as much our family. We’ve been so blessed by people who have shown up for us in meaningful ways, and it’s helped us see that family isn’t only who you’re born to, but also those who walk alongside you with love, commitment, and care.
At the heart of it, family is about deep connection, intentional care, and creating a place where people feel safe, seen, and truly known. That’s what we hope to continue building in our marriage and in the family we grow one day.
What Tips Would You Give To A Couple Planning Their Wedding?
Our biggest piece of advice? Don’t forget—you’re getting married to the love of your life! That alone makes the day incredibly special, no matter what happens. It’s so easy to get caught up in the little details or feel stressed if something doesn’t go exactly as planned, but those things rarely stick with you. What you remember most is how the day felt—the love, the laughter, the presence of your people, and the joy of stepping into marriage together.
Have fun with it! Be creative, be intentional, and make the day a true reflection of who you are as individuals and as a couple. It doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be yours.
One thing we found really helpful was intentionally carving out little moments throughout the day to pause, check in, and remind each other to stay present. The day moves quickly and you’ll be pulled in a million directions, but making it a priority to experience everything together is what makes it so meaningful. Stand side-by-side, soak it all in, and let the beauty of the moment settle into your hearts.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the perfect timeline or flawless décor—it’s about starting your forever with the person you love most. And that’s the most magical part.
