We’re Getting Married!

Winta Tewolde

— and —

Joel Buckner

Friday, March 13, 2020

Tulum, Mexico

#joelforthewinta #buckwildwedding

Our Story

Winta was born, raised, and cultured in the suburbs of Washington, DC. She is her parents’ favorite child (sorry, Sami!) and wears the title proudly. Some of her favorite memories growing up are spending the holidays with her big, loud, and loving family. If she had to pick her favorite holiday, it would be Thanksgiving, which has been hosted her entire life by her mom who executes the event as if it were a presidential state dinner! Winta enjoys the idea of working out more than actually doing it. Nonetheless, on most weekends, you can find her at some boutique workout class… because she is a millennial… followed by window shopping at home goods stores, and checking out new restaurants around town with Joel. She is a Management Consultant at an advisory services consulting firm where she gets to put her logic driven left-brained nature to good use. She likes to describe her job as helping her clients work smarter, not harder.

Joel is one of four boys, none of whom have outgrown their childish sense of humor, even though they’re in their 30s (if you’re pranked during our wedding weekend, you can probably blame one of them!). They’re super competitive, especially when it comes to board and card games. Don’t play spoons with the Buckner boys unless you are willing to risk a broken table or chair. Joel has lived in Dayton, OH, Nashville, TN, Miami, FL, and now Washington, DC. Joel says he knew DC was a long-term thing because it’s such a melting pot for art, food, and culture - all of his favorite things! Not to mention it’s where he met the love of his life! Joel is the Director of the Education and Leadership Development Programs (Protégé and Internships) at National Community Church. He also leads worship at the church’s Lincoln Theater campus. He loves that his job allows him to use his creative energy (hello, right-brain!) for a productive purpose and that he gets to coach and develop young adults as they round out their transition into adulthood.

To read more (and see photos) about how we met, the proposal, and why we picked Tulum for our destination wedding, CLICK HERE!