Alison Dana Bick and Maxim Elisha Zaslavsky celebrated their wedding on August 15 with an unconventional poolside ceremony at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. Opting for a first swim rather than a traditional first dance, the couple marked their union by plunging into a semi-Olympic pool in front of approximately 50 guests.
The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Rebecca Kaufman, ordained at Hebrew Union College, who presided over the couple under a chuppah. To honor Zaslavsky’s Ukrainian-Russian heritage, the reception featured pelmeni, traditional dumplings, during cocktail hour. The main fare included burgers and hot dogs from the grill, with desserts featuring ice cream sundaes and a chocolate sheet cake inscribed with “Just Married Alison + Maxim.” The wedding party embraced the relaxed setting, celebrating with a poolside hora in which the newlyweds were lifted on chairs amid the festivities.
Bick and Zaslavsky first met in September 2019 at a Princeton alumni event hosted at Stanford University. Both had earned bachelor’s degrees from Princeton—Bick in mechanical engineering in 2015 and Zaslavsky in computer science with highest honors in 2017—but had not crossed paths until the gathering. At the time, Bick was completing doctoral studies in mechanical engineering at Stanford, while Zaslavsky was beginning his own doctoral program in computer science.
Their courtship developed gradually through campus events, shared outings, and digital correspondence. Early dates included a Stanford Orchestra concert, an environmental documentary screening, and visits to the campus art museum. Over time, they bonded over shared interests and mutual appreciation, leading to a formal relationship shortly after their first kiss in late 2019.
Following years of graduate studies and travel across 14 countries on four continents, the couple relocated in March 2024 to Jersey City, New Jersey. Zaslavsky founded Immunera, a diagnostic start-up applying artificial intelligence to gene sequencing for autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, Bick works as a research and development engineer at Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Raritan, New Jersey.
The engagement occurred in April 2026 during a weekend outing along the Long Branch boardwalk. After Zaslavsky proposed, Bick revealed she had already secured the wedding date and location at her family’s country club. Together, they planned a celebration that departed from traditional wedding customs to reflect their personalities and shared history.
The event underscored the couple’s blend of professional achievement, cultural heritage, and a relaxed approach to life’s milestones. Their choice to prioritize meaningful experiences over convention was evident in the distinctive combination of formal ceremony, casual pool party, and lively celebration, marking the start of their marriage with both joy and individuality.