Melissa & Brian at Winslow Estate

When both the bride and groom are moved to tears on their wedding day, you just know it’s a match made in heaven. Add a gorgeous waterfront wedding venue on Cape Cod, a sunny summer day, and stunning details to the mix, and you have the makings of Cape Cod wedding perfection!

Before we dig into the juicy details, let’s talk about the happy couple. Yes, there were tears – of joy – but there were also epic smiles on the faces of both Melissa and Brian throughout their “Big Day.” Most expressive couple ever!

Melissa and Brian were married at the Winslow Estate in South Orleans. With nine bedrooms and sleeping space for up to 19 people, the century-old Mediterranean-style estate is the perfect place for a destination wedding on Cape Cod. Wrap-around water views and a private beach make it all the more so.

Brian and Melissa’s wedding day started with a first-look ceremony. The bride chose a simple-yet-elegant gown and flat Badgley Mishchka shoes: perfect for dancing the night away on a warm June day! When Brian saw his beautiful bride, he was moved to tears!

After the “first look,” the couple was joined by their wedding party and family for a quick portrait session with the talented husband-and-wife team of Merrisa Caroline Photography.

With portraits completed, it was time to say “I do.” Decorations for the ceremony were kept to a minimum, which let the amazing ocean view and happy couple take center stage. After completing their vows, with more tears and smiles, Brian and Melissa immediately joined their guests under a sailcloth tent that was billowing gently in the soft sea breeze. Love the jubilant look on Melissa’s face as they were announced into the reception!

Right after the first dances, Melissa and Brian cut their cake. They decided on just a cutting cake for the traditional ceremony, with an array of petite pastries for dessert later in the evening.

Like the ceremony and its décor, the reception décor was simple, elegant, and deeply personal. For guest favors, there were beautifully packaged bamboo seedlings, with a sign saying they “enhance the flow of good vibes.” The music-loving couple opted for vintage vinyl in lieu of a more traditional guestbook.

Under the tent, a blend of farmhouse tables and linen-clad round tables were topped with floral arrangements and fresh greens; nothing overshadowed the 180-degree view of Pleasant Bay just outside.

With portraits, first dances, and the cake cutting already attended to, once dinner was served Brian and Melissa and their guests were free to enjoy an evening of fun, friends, family and love.