Meagan Tandy and Branden Wellington Discuss Newlywed Life and Family Plans

Branden Wellington and Meagan Tandy reflect on newlywed life as a journey of learning and adapting. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE during the 16th Annual African-American Film Critics Awards on February 19, the couple, who married in September, described their experience as historic for both.

For Tandy, this is her first experience living with someone as an adult. "I've only ever lived with my parents, and when I moved out, I lived alone," she shares, recognizing the adjustments required in their new shared life.

Wellington humorously notes that he has given up significant closet space in the name of marital harmony. "I sacrifice most of the closet for her. I give up the majority of shoe life for this lady," he jokes, reflecting on the negotiation that comes with living together.

As Tandy and Wellington navigate their newfound cohabitation, they are also discovering more about each other daily. Wellington comments on their relationship's development, stating they have established routines to aid their daily lives.

"I'm an early bird, so I handle the dog in the morning. It helps her get more sleep," Wellington explains. He emphasizes the importance of supporting each other, saying, "How can who I am compliment you?" He acknowledges the learning curve involved in this partnership. "We had a couple of false starts. We’re taking advice from others with more experience."

Tandy expresses she has been working on patience and flexibility. "As independent women, we have our ways. Adapting means recognizing how he does things," the Batwoman actress notes, highlighting her efforts to evolve within their relationship.

With their life together becoming more settled, Tandy and Wellington now envision their future, including starting a family. "We definitely want to start a family at some point," Wellington states, prompting Tandy to light-heartedly acknowledge his assertion.

Wellington adds that family is part of life’s natural progression, though the timing remains uncertain. "We don't know when it will happen," he admits. Tandy expresses her hope for it to be soon. "I hope God has it for us this year, honestly."

The couple first crossed paths in 2017 while Tandy was filming "Survivor's Remorse" in Atlanta. They managed a date before Wellington returned to New York to shoot "Orange Is the New Black." By 2018, they officially began dating, culminating in Wellington's Christmas Day proposal in 2023.

The two married in Lytle Creek, California, on September 1, with 175 guests in attendance. Tandy had previously expressed her excitement about building a life with Wellington. "Life has always been about connection; I’ve never seen it as something to navigate alone," she said.

For Wellington, marriage signifies critical milestones into manhood and fatherhood. "I’ll be the sixth generation married in my family," he reflects, sharing his anticipation not only for marriage but for the lessons that accompany a long-lasting partnership.

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