The bride wore a custom silk gown by Brazilian designer Marco Castioni.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
The couple exchanged vows beneath a banyan tree. The groom’s mother sang "The Prayer," by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. "It was beautiful and very moving," Christina remembers.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
The bride carried a bouquet of Virginia roses and small spray roses. "My gown was breathtaking, so I wanted something simple and understated for my bouquet," she says.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
At the reception, held at the home of close friends, tables were decorated with centerpieces of calla lilies and hydrangeas by Dany Morillo. Boxes of brigadeiro and beijinho—traditional Brazillian truffles—were offered at each place setting.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
"I tried on several different gowns at Marco’s atelier in Brazil, and he incorporated the elements I liked best to create a unique gown for me," Christina says. The handmade dress included floral details on the skirt, which also glistened with Swarovski crystals.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
Christina borrowed her diamond tiara from Antonio Carlos Joalheiros, a jeweler in Brazil.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
Guests dined on exotic Asian fare prepared by Chef Sinu Pramono, the couple’s friend.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
The vanilla rum buttercream cake was from Edda’s Cake Designs in Coral Gables. After tasting one of Edda’s cakes at a party, Christina was hooked. "I scheduled three tastings just so I could eat more cake," she jokes. A sugar magnolia blossom was a nod to the bride’s Southern upbringing.
Bride: Christina West
Groom: Matias Alem
Location: Fisher Island, FL
Theme: Ballroom wedding
