WellWed on the Cape

When Melissa Hellenbrand and Eric Hill think back to the beginning of their love story, they still find it hard to believe that it all began as a fourth grade prank. It was April Fools’ Day when Melissa and Eric’s elementary school class decided to confuse their teacher by switching seats. As fate would have it, Eric ended up at Melissa’s desk, and the two struck up a friendship that would eventually lead them down the aisle. Years passed with nothing more shared between the couple than sandwiches on the beach and late night card games with friends. It wasn’t until one afternoon at Eric’s house, over a decade after that fateful April Fools’ Day, that their platonic relationship changed. Eric, his roommates, and Melissa were having a great time together, and at one point, Melissa looked over at Eric and suddenly realized how important he was to her—and how much she loved him. “I suddenly saw Eric from a different perspective, and it was the moment I fell in love,” she says.

Just before Thanksgiving of 2009, Melissa and Eric found themselves on the beach where they used to spend their sunny Saturday afternoons together, snacks in hand. There, Eric escorted Melissa to a bench on the bluff and got down on one knee. “He said simply, ‘There is only one important question left in my life,’” says Melissa.

With the help of her floral designer, Soiree Floral, Melissa was able to create a sophisticated yet bright atmosphere. Melissa and Eric have the benefit of a long shared history, having grown up together, and they took advantage of it for some smaller elements of their wedding. For table markers, Melissa’s aunt created signs from quarter boards with the names of local spots from the couple’s hometown. As a surprise for Eric, Melissa attempted to fulfill one of his life-long dreams—riding on a motorcycle along a beach road—in cake form, at least. This whimsical groom’s cake was an extra personal touch that both the groom and guests found amusing.