They Got Married Twice. This Was the Real One.
After a small courthouse ceremony in Boston, Nicole and Tucker celebrated for real in the Poconos — with 100 guests, two languages, and a cake they baked themselves.
A Bilingual Wedding in the Poconos
On September 6th, I had the chance to photograph a very special wedding in the Poconos.
I had already photographed Nicole and Tucker's civil ceremony in Boston back in July, so it was wonderful to see them again — this time surrounded by nearly 100 family members and friends who came together to celebrate their marriage.
Two Languages, One Celebration
Their wedding was bilingual, with both Russian and English spoken throughout the day. Speeches, announcements, stories, and even jokes were translated so everyone could be part of the moment. Sometimes hearing the same joke twice, in two different languages, made it even funnier. It created such a lively atmosphere, with both sides of the family laughing, reacting, and celebrating together. The language difference never felt like a barrier — if anything, it became part of the fun.
Handmade Everything
One of my favorite things about this wedding was how personal everything felt. Nicole and Tucker created and decorated many of the details themselves, giving the celebration a cozy, handmade character rather than the feeling of a perfectly staged event.
Two Cultures, Two Outfits
Later in the evening, they changed into traditional Ukrainian clothing, adding another beautiful cultural element to the celebration. There's something powerful about seeing a couple honor their heritage in the middle of their most personal day — and photograph it as a distinct moment.
The Cake
And even the wedding cake had their personal touch. They made a huge cake themselves and decorated it together. It was beautiful, a little playful, completely personal, and — most importantly — actually delicious.
The Whole Day
The entire day had an easy, relaxed atmosphere. It was an outdoor wedding filled with family, friends, laughter, traditions, dancing, and little handmade details everywhere. Romantic and festive without being overly formal — and that's exactly what made this wedding so memorable to photograph.
Two Weddings, One Story
From their quiet civil ceremony in Boston to this big celebration in the Poconos, I'm so happy I was able to capture another chapter of Nicole and Tucker's story.
Nicole and Tucker, in two parts
- A Boston Courthouse Wedding
- They Got Married Twice. This Was the Real One. (this entry)
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