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Add an Indie Touch to Your Wedding With These 10 Vendors

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Welcome to Weddings Week 2013, our week-long ode to nuptials in Boston.


Photo by Julie Sterling

A wedding planner is nowhere in sight as DIY weddings, budget-strapped honeymoons, and Pinterest inspiration come into practice (hey, we can't ALL be married at the Boston Public Library, but if you are check out these). Whether the parameter is a small budget, a desire to support small business, or both, these ten vendors will deliver an offbeat touch that effectively brands your occasion as one-of-a-kind. Psst—if you like "shabby chic," just hit up New England Vintage to take care of all the finishing details.


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Smolak Farms

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If a rustic setting is part of your DIY wedding vision, check out this gem of a farm within an hour of Boston. They can arrange "I do" at a gazebo, dinner under a tent in the woods, an orchard ceremony, or a barn reception. Local caterers utilize produce from the farm's actual crop in your menu.

Necco Candy Factory

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Tap into local nostalgia with party favors from Revere's own NECCO candy factory. Design personalized wafers or conversation hearts at $20 per pound, then put your bridal party to work packaging the sweet treat.

Arts At The Armory

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This Somerville landmark was restored about ten years ago in a transformation to support local arts. The historic space has a large hall with a capacity of 395—but more importantly, it's perfection for any couple that wants to wed in a castle.

e. scott originals jewelry

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Artisan jeweler Emily Scott is on a mission to make the "new heirloom" of jewelry, which explains why she seems to design so many custom wedding and engagement bands. Her portfolio shows a variety of aesthetics, a good signal that she truly collaborates with the buyer.

Observatory

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This newly opened boutique near Huron Village is a wedding multi-tasker. Work with florist Laura Jean Pecci on custom floral design and jeweler Nicole Rueda-Watts on jewelry. The duo will even team up on bouquet ornaments that can later be turned into keepsake jewelry.

Albertine Press

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Owner Shelley Barandes left architecture when she developed a love for paper and letterpress printing, and since then, she's been garnering the attention of wedding-planning couples for detailed, colorful sets of both invites and save the dates. Shop her work at Black Ink, Xylem, Rugg Road, and more.

M. Flynn Accessories

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Sisters Megan and Moria Flynn are experienced in designing custom fine jewelry with 3D computer models. Having a whole room dedicated to bridal pieces (Faire La Fête), they can consult and rework old stones into a fresh style with ease.

Arnold Arboretum

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This giant Olmstead-designed park allows couples to marry for free (with significant stipulations). The arboretum must remain open, size is restricted to 40 people, and outside props (food, furniture) are prohibited. It works for a stripped-down, picturesque ceremony prior to a dinner elsewhere.

Sugar Bakery

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Residents of the Parkway area have long obsessed over Sugar Bakery and its delicious buttercream-frosted cupcakes. Any flavor and any style cake or cupcakes can be requested with two weeks notice (ask for Debbie).

Clambakes, Etc.

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Voted best clambake wedding by The Knot, this Osterville-based caterer is a prime option for hosting a classic New England party for under $50 per person. Choose pot style or pit style, both of which offer a mix-and-match menu.

Smolak Farms

If a rustic setting is part of your DIY wedding vision, check out this gem of a farm within an hour of Boston. They can arrange "I do" at a gazebo, dinner under a tent in the woods, an orchard ceremony, or a barn reception. Local caterers utilize produce from the farm's actual crop in your menu.

Necco Candy Factory

Tap into local nostalgia with party favors from Revere's own NECCO candy factory. Design personalized wafers or conversation hearts at $20 per pound, then put your bridal party to work packaging the sweet treat.

Arts At The Armory

This Somerville landmark was restored about ten years ago in a transformation to support local arts. The historic space has a large hall with a capacity of 395—but more importantly, it's perfection for any couple that wants to wed in a castle.

e. scott originals jewelry

Artisan jeweler Emily Scott is on a mission to make the "new heirloom" of jewelry, which explains why she seems to design so many custom wedding and engagement bands. Her portfolio shows a variety of aesthetics, a good signal that she truly collaborates with the buyer.

Observatory

This newly opened boutique near Huron Village is a wedding multi-tasker. Work with florist Laura Jean Pecci on custom floral design and jeweler Nicole Rueda-Watts on jewelry. The duo will even team up on bouquet ornaments that can later be turned into keepsake jewelry.

Albertine Press

Owner Shelley Barandes left architecture when she developed a love for paper and letterpress printing, and since then, she's been garnering the attention of wedding-planning couples for detailed, colorful sets of both invites and save the dates. Shop her work at Black Ink, Xylem, Rugg Road, and more.

M. Flynn Accessories

Sisters Megan and Moria Flynn are experienced in designing custom fine jewelry with 3D computer models. Having a whole room dedicated to bridal pieces (Faire La Fête), they can consult and rework old stones into a fresh style with ease.

Arnold Arboretum

This giant Olmstead-designed park allows couples to marry for free (with significant stipulations). The arboretum must remain open, size is restricted to 40 people, and outside props (food, furniture) are prohibited. It works for a stripped-down, picturesque ceremony prior to a dinner elsewhere.

Sugar Bakery

Residents of the Parkway area have long obsessed over Sugar Bakery and its delicious buttercream-frosted cupcakes. Any flavor and any style cake or cupcakes can be requested with two weeks notice (ask for Debbie).

Clambakes, Etc.

Voted best clambake wedding by The Knot, this Osterville-based caterer is a prime option for hosting a classic New England party for under $50 per person. Choose pot style or pit style, both of which offer a mix-and-match menu.