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Add an Indie Touch to Your Wedding With These 10 Vendors

By Susie Kostaras
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By Susie Kostaras

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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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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

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.
315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA 01845
978-682-6332
978-682-6332

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.
135 American Legion Hwy, Revere, MA 02151
(855) 696-3226
(855) 696-3226

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.
191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 718-2191
(617) 718-2191

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.
199B Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-2814
(617) 776-2814

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.
270 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

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.
561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 666-7395
(617) 666-7395

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.
46 Waltham Street, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 292-0079
(617) 292-0079

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.
125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 384-5209
(617) 384-5209

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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).
1884 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02132
(617) 327-8427
(617) 327-8427

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.
2952 Falmouth Road, Osterville, MA 02655
(508) 420-0500
(508) 420-0500
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Smolak Farms

315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA 01845
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.
315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA 01845
978-682-6332
978-682-6332

Necco Candy Factory

135 American Legion Hwy, Revere, MA 02151
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.
135 American Legion Hwy, Revere, MA 02151
(855) 696-3226
(855) 696-3226

Arts At The Armory

191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
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.
191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 718-2191
(617) 718-2191

e. scott originals jewelry

199B Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
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.
199B Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-2814
(617) 776-2814

Observatory

270 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
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.
270 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Albertine Press

561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA 02143
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.
561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 666-7395
(617) 666-7395

M. Flynn Accessories

46 Waltham Street, Boston, MA 02118
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.
46 Waltham Street, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 292-0079
(617) 292-0079

Arnold Arboretum

125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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.
125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 384-5209
(617) 384-5209

Sugar Bakery

1884 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02132
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).
1884 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02132
(617) 327-8427
(617) 327-8427

Clambakes, Etc.

2952 Falmouth Road, Osterville, MA 02655
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.
2952 Falmouth Road, Osterville, MA 02655
(508) 420-0500
(508) 420-0500