1. Real Weddings

A Modern Wedding in Miami, FL

Friendship came before romance for Charlene and Lester, who met in architecture school, but love seemed to be in the cards from the beginning. The fir

Friendship came before romance for Charlene and Lester, who met in architecture school, but love seemed to be in the cards from the beginning. The first time Lester's sister met Charlene, she reported back to their mother that she'd found her brother the one. Coincidentally, Charlene went home and told her mother that if she and Lester ever did end up going out, they'd wind up married -- and within six months, they were a couple. The Bride Charlene West, 30, architect and interior designer The Groom Lester Rey, 32, architect The Date May 31 Seven years later, Lester proposed at the couple's favorite restaurant. Unlike their courtship, their engagement was brief; just four months long. The urban wedding Charlene designed was minimalist and modern, with elements inspired by nature, including bird's nest–like decorations. A crisp, white hue with gold accents kept up the contemporary vibe.

The three tiers of the fondant-covered cake were wrapped in two-tone gold ribbons to create a clean, banded design. Gold eggs added embellishment to each layer, and a bird’s nest served as the topper.
The bride wanted to create a dramatic contrast with the minimalist decor by going all-out with her dress. Her pick: a mermaid silhouette with cascading layers of lace and pleated ruffles.
Suspended arrangements made from willow branches and white flowers appeared to float above the candlelit tables. The earthy decorations looked like birds’ nests—smaller versions decorated the cake.
Classic groupings of all-white roses stood out from the rest of the wedding’s ultra-modern details. The light flowers popped against the bridesmaids’ richly colored dresses
Lush, white peonies were accented with a touch of vibrant pink at the center of each bloom. The bride loved the fullness of the soft, feathery look.
Each square porcelain plate held a single bird’s nest with a sprinkling of metallic eggs. Dinner napkins were folded length-wise so they could hang over the edge of the table for extra elegance.