Sunflowers + Vintage Vibes on Tilghman Island

Real Weddings

See here: 2020 did have good things, like Nicole and Mark's perfect Black Walnut Point Inn wedding.

The couple: Nicole Vichot, a 26-year-old elementary school teacher, + Mark Diaz, a 27-year-old immigration attorney

Wedding date: September 19, 2020

Number of guests: 40

// How They Met

In hindsight (or hound-sight), Nicole’s pup Hercules was doing everything in his power to bring this pair together. Nicole and Mark were both students at the University of Central Florida, living in the same condo association, but they had hardly said hello, except Mark to Hercules. Finally, one day, a friend of Mark’s invited Nicole to a party, and Nicole made it clear to Mark that she a) didn’t bark and b) was definitely interested in human conversation. After that, Mark and Nicole became actual friends. They started dating later, after lots of hanging out with other friends and going to parties. “Eventually, we realized that finding someone that always makes you happy and makes you into a better person is someone you should try to keep,” Nicole explains.

// The Covid Shuffle

Although Nicole and Mark didn’t plan on having a family-only wedding when they got engaged, the pandemic forced them to do some major tweaking. They cut their guest list down from 110 to 40 and decided to postpone the larger celebration. “Honestly, it was still absolutely amazing,” Nicole says.

// Paradise Found

Nicole heard about Black Walnut Point Inn from a friend of a friend, and “when I looked it up, I knew it was the one,” she says. She set out to find a beachy or grassy spot that felt like a little slice of paradise. “This was the perfect mixture of gorgeous water views, room to play in the grass, and beautiful florals,’’ Nicole says.

// Sunflower State of Mind

For decor, Nicole was certain of two things: she wanted to be surrounded by flowers and she didn’t want anything cookie cutter. As her favorite bloom, sunflowers were the obvious starting point for the latter, and once that was settled, every other decision came into clarity. “Honestly, I just chose things that make me happy,” Nicole says.

// Try, Try, Try Again

When Nicole envisioned her dream wedding dress, the chief adjective that came to mind was flowy. She wanted to find a frock she could dance in uninhibited, which was easier said than done! After a marathon day of try-ons at two shops, Nicole was feeling dejected. But, naturally, the third stop, at the Bridal Room, was the charm. She recognized her gown, by Stella York, as soon as she tried it on.

// Woman with a Plan

Nicole tackled plans early and was able to book the majority of her vendors within a few months of her engagement. “My mom and my best friend were a huge help with planning and crafting for my day, and, of course, my father, who made everything happen financially.”

// Credits

Bride's gown: Stella York (designer) + The Bridal Room (shop) / Bride's makeup: herself / Bride's hair: her aunt, Melissa Zanfardino / Bridesmaid dresses: Kennedy Blue / Catering: Two If By Sea / DJ: Steve Moody's Entertainment Connection / Flowers: Kaleidoscope Florals / Groomsmen attire: Men's Warehouse / Photography: Anna Lowe Photography / Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents & Events / Venue: Black Walnut Point Inn