The couple: Caroline Tucker, 33, a content producer at NBC4 for News4 Today (she writes and edits for the newscast) and freelance reporter; and Matt Blitz, 33, a writer (and regular Arlington Magazine contributor) and head of the D.C. chapter of the Atlas Obscura Society. They live on Columbia Pike near Bob & Edith’s Diner.
How they met: First day of freshman year at Syracuse University. (The campus is pictured on the custom ketubah they commissioned for their wedding.)
First date: Matt says it was ice skating with friends. Caroline says it was on her 19th birthday. Both say: “This will never be resolved!”
Great together because: “We are best friends, perfect travel buddies, and we love to laugh with one another. And eat!”
The wedding: May 21, 2017, at Glen Echo Park in Maryland—specifically in its Bumper Car and Cuddle Up pavilions. As is Jewish tradition, the ceremony included a chuppah and the rite of stepping on the glass.
Number of guests: 175
The theme: Playing along with the park’s whimsical atmosphere and Art Deco architecture, the event had an old-timey amusement-park vibe with carousel rides, popcorn boxes, ride tickets and cotton candy cocktails.
Plot twist: “I started my vows but then declared that they were not good enough,” Matt says. “So I ripped up the paper, explaining that I needed to speak from my heart. Luckily for me, I had anticipated this and had written better vows that were, in fact, from my heart—and pulled them from my pocket. Of course, it was all a joke. Later, my father picked up the ripped pieces of my first attempt. He thought it was funny the pages were blank.”
The music: The couple hired a klezmer band for the ceremony with a few special requests. Matt walked down the aisle to a live rendition of the Jurassic Park score. Caroline made her entrance to the theme song from Beauty and the Beast. During the reception, a deejay played tunes on vintage record players.
Family history: A commemorative table with photos and other keepsakes honored Matt’s late grandfather and Caroline’s late stepfather, both of whom were World War II veterans. The couple made a donation to Honor Flight, a nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure.
Oops: Not everything went perfectly. “A family friend brought a three-tiered homemade cake and it collapsed,” Caroline says. “Also, we tried to break plates during the ceremony,” Matt adds (Caroline is Greek), “but they just bounced instead!”
Photographer: Erin Covey Creative
Details: Flowers: Atelier Floral Design; Bridal Gown: Christina Wu; Invitations: Elena Karpova, Old City Press; Music: Lox & Vodka (ceremony) and The Dapper DJs (reception); Caterer: Rouge Fine Catering; Hair & Makeup: Bridal Artistry; Popcorn: Popped! Republic; Late-night Pizza: Ledo Pizza
The honeymoon: Greece
Favorite Hangouts: Pupatella, Peter Chang, the annual Arlington County Fair and all of the county’s running and walking trails