Indie Wedding Guide

Welcome to the Indie Wedding Guide & Directory

2008-06-30T21:48:26-04:00

Welcome to the Indie Wedding Guide & Directory

The Indie Wedding Guide & Directory is your resource to turn to when looking to minimize waste and create your wedding with the idea of using indie designers, a do it yourself attitude and those famous three R's: reuse, recycle and reduce. This guide has been brought to you by Gabreial Wyatt editor of Vintage Indie and Emily Anderson author of Eco-Chic Weddings.

We will be back to celebrate the official Indie Weddings Month next March where we bring you the latest trends to achieve an indie wedding. Please visit our archives to your left, in each category you will find articles, tips and DIY projects.

Below you will find the categories to our exclusive directory where each business has been approved to meet our standards.

Thank you again for visiting!

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STATIC MESSAGE Please scroll down for new features until this massage disappears during our official end of season message coming this week 1st week of July.

A Gift for the Bride

2008-06-30T10:41:31-04:00

I recently featured Starry Deborah's Flower Pot Favors and have since followed her to the Cottage Style Street Team's Bride Gift Baskets, where she is a member.

If you are looking for gift for the bride, then you've come to the right place. One of these gift baskets would be perfect for the bridal shower. Each one is filled to the brim with various items from member's shops. You'll be giving a gorgeous gift, and the best part handmade items from independently owned businesses. Visit the Cottage Style Street Team shop at Etsy.Com.

Summer Weddings - How to pick a summer wine by Anu Karwa of Swirl Events

2008-06-26T20:23:23-04:00

Special Guest Anu of Swirl Events is back with another helpful feature for choosing a summer wine, perfect for your wedding day. Be sure to visit her previous series in the Indie Wedding Guide What Types of Wines are good for Weddings and Wine Talk Continued.

How to pick a summer wine:

Summer’s soaring temps beg you to step away from heavy Cabernets and check out the gentler, lighter side of wine. When choosing the perfect summer wine for your outdoor engagement party or wedding, think light, crisp, refreshing - and because people tend to drink more in the heat –lower in alcohol. Nothing more prettily suggests summer than a dry (i.e. not sweet) rose. Avoid the simple, syrupy versions and go for a
bit of spice with Spanish roses from the Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) grape such as the Casa Castillo Monastrell aspx or more complex roses from a blend of Grenache and Syrah from the classic rose region of Cotes de Provence such as the Domaine HouchartRosé Pick wines from countries where you imagine the locals sipping leisurely at sidewalk cafés while basking in the sun, like Spain. A Spanish fave is Albarino
from the Rias Baixas region. The Pazzo San Mauro Albarinomis a great example. Made to drink young, Albarino is a crisp, white wine with intense fruit, lively acidity and generally a lower level of alcohol. It pairs perfectly with summer foods from seafood to grilled vegetables. But you don’t need to swear off red wine for summer. Look for light bodied wines like Pinot Noir from Oregon like the Montinore Parsons'Ridge Pinot Noir or a Valpolicella from Italy , both capable of standing up to barbecued foods. And don’t be afraid to put a slight chill on your red wine. It is summer after all!

Visit Swirl Events to plan your next private event. They are kicking off a new series D-E-C-O-D-I-N-G the Restaurant Wine List that you won't want to miss.

Flower Pot Favors

2008-06-24T11:35:35-04:00

If you are looking for a unique wedding favor or something special for your bridal shower guests then look no further. Starry Deborah creates these adorable Petite Flower Pot Favors. You can purchase them with or without the embellished "flowers". Deborah will also custom create petite flower pots to fit the theme and decor of your wedding or shower.

Handmade Additions - Origami Roses

2008-06-16T14:06:52-04:00

Handmade additions can be so special at a wedding. Today's find is something unique and different. The Kawasaki Origami Roses are just breathtaking. Don't you think?

Simply Timeless is the business behind this selection of handmade Kawasaki Roses. Handcrafted from a timeless tradition originally modeled and designed by origami theorist Toshikazu Kawasaki.

Imagine the possibilities with paper roses that will last, longer than any other fresh flower.

Simply Timeless offers custom sizes as well.

Wedding Profile Melissa & Alan

2008-06-12T10:19:59-04:00

How did you meet?

I met my husband through friends while we were in college. We attended different colleges, but my friends from high school met a group of people that knew my husband. Eventually, three friends from high school married three college roommates! We were together for five years before getting married.

What did you do to make your wedding "green" or "eco-friendly"?

We ended up taking a DIY approach to many of the wedding details. Instead of real flowers, we used silk flowers. I made all of the bouquets, boutonnières, and centerpieces by hand. The great thing is that I still have my bouquet and ended up reusing the centerpiece flowers for other crafts.

I also made save-the-date cards, invitations, and programs. This was my favorite part, because everything turned out how we wanted it We were able to choose the motif and go with it. Our wedding was 1940s/autumn themed, because we were married in November.

The invitations and programs had a beautiful and simple hummingbird on them. For our save-the-date cards, I used clippings from a damaged book about weddings and gave them new life. People are still asking my mom where we had these items made! She proudly tells them I made everything!

What was your favorite wedding detail?

This may sound cliche, but my favorite detail was the jewelry. My grandparents have been married for 67 years. For my wedding, my grandmother let me borrow the pearls my grandfather gave her for their 25thh wedding anniversary. It was wonderful to have something rich with romantic history on hand, something that is a true testament to long-lasting love. Also, I borrowed a pair of earrings from my mother, so including my engagement ring, I had something from three generations of women.

And one more thing I cannot leave out-we had four candles lit during the ceremony. They sat on a table beside us, representing grandparents and a great-aunt that we lost in previous years. After the wedding, we gave the candles to their significant others.

Any vendor recommendations?

Yes, go local and try to support smaller businesses. They will pay an incredible amount of attention to every detail that you want. Also, if you are planning to make invitations or bouquets, buy on clearance in the off-season from places like Hobby Lobby or JoAnn Fabrics.

Anything else, you must share about your special day?

To this day, almost two years later, everyone that attended our wedding still says it was the best time they have ever had at a wedding because of all the personal touches and magic radiating from us. The key to having a great wedding is to make sure you, the couple, are having a great time!

A special thanks to Melissa & Alan for sharing their special day with us. If you're looking for fabulous wedding accessories visit Melissa's Etsy shop Relishdress for some fab picks under her Relishbridal Wedding category!

Shop Indie Wedding Party Details - Baby Accessories

2008-06-10T15:15:44-04:00

Do you have very little ones in your wedding party? Today's Indie Wedding find is not only organic but eco-friendly too.

Can you say darling? These wee little booties are made of organic fabrics, gentle enough for a baby's skin on the inside and out. This one is adorned with a hand cut cotton flower and leaf detail. You can find this shoe and others like it at Mia Joie.

Today must be the day for white flower accessories. I found this adorable Laila Headband© at Mia Joie as well. Also made of skin loving organic fabrics. (not to mention the adorable modle)

The best part Mia Joie packages all of their items in eco-friendly reusable gift bags.

Head over to their shop on Etsy for more.

the Renegade Craft Fair/Mosey Handmade June 14 & 15 2008 - Brooklyn NY

2008-06-10T13:53:17-04:00

Did you hear? Are you going? The Renegade Craft Fair is this weekend in Brooklyn NY. I wish I were going, but alas I can't make it. I hope you'll go and check it out for me. There are going to be a TON of my favorite shops and a bunch that have been featured on Vintage Indie Mag as well as the Indie Wedding Guide.

Best of all, our very own sponsor Mosey Handmade will be their with their fabulous creations. Stop by their booth and pick up your cake toppers and other nature inspired goods and accessories, hurry I'm sure they won't last long!

The vendor list is huge, so head over to their website and make plans to attend.

If you'd like to do some guest reporting for us, let me know!

Have a great day!
Gabreial
Vintage Indie Mag

Vintage & Indie Ring Bearer Pillow & Accessories

2008-06-09T22:28:54-04:00

It's easy to fall in love all over again with the details of your wedding. When you find something as sweet as the handmade Ring Bearer and accessory featured below.

This is a Vintage Lace Ring Bearer Pillow from Paper Hill. Made from a vintage wedding dress, vintage lace and new and ivory buttons. I just love the detail, put into this piece.

Eco-Friendly and fashionable this Bridal Blossom Ribbon Necklace is made from a reclaimed wedding dress. Wear it around your neck or around your wrist for an indulging chic accessory.

You can find these and many other wonderful accessories at Paper Hill on Etsy.

Indie Wedding Guide "Out & About" N.E.E.T Magazine!

2008-06-09T11:04:46-04:00

Indie Wedding Guide has been "out an about." We recently sponsored N.E.E.T Magazine with an ad in their latest edition! We are in good company this month with Beloved Endeavour!

N.E.E.T is a non-profit online publication. It's full of fabulous indie companies, designers, vintage shops and the latest fashions. Stop by and check out our ad there and the Vintage Indie ad as well as many other fabulous sponsors and features.

Indie Gifts for the Bride or anyone!

2008-06-06T18:05:24-04:00

Ah..... gifts, you love to get them and if you are like me love to give them even more. It just so happens the lovely Chic To Chic is sponsoring a fabulous giveaway on Vintage Indie but they have something spectacular for weddings too.

I wanted to tell you about their gorgeous My Best Friends Wedding Retro apron. A super chic and perfect shower gift for the bride to be. This white eyelet apron offers a little glam with its "foil" finish giving it a shimmery silver look. Not only that, but the pocket is lined and embroidered with the bride new monogram or name.

Maybe you'd like to spoil your bridesmaids with their own monogrammed apron. Head over to Chic to Chic for an array of gorgeous hostess aprons and something for the flower girl too!

Indie Alternative - "Ties That Don't Suck"

2008-06-04T10:00:00-04:00

Go alternative or go home with Toy Breaker's line of hand screen printed ties. They carry a line of amusing and sophisticated ties. Not your ordinary groomsmen line, but something quite unique which is what we like.

This print is their Victorian Gear teal ink on silver. Toy Breaker offers this design on a variety of colored fabrics.

Colors and designs that stand out on your wedding day like these "iris" ties.

How about skipping the traditional every groomsman wears the same and give each one their color of choice with your pattern of choice.

You can find all of these ties, and skinner varieties at

Cyberoptix TieLab

Simply Wood Rings - Designer Profile

2008-06-03T22:09:49-04:00

The Indie Wedding Guide would like to thank our returning sponsor Simply Wood Rings again this month. This month we talked with the designer himself Mr. Gustav Reyes. We love we he does with wood and know that movement of environment friendly and fair trade is hitting the world of wedding rings, and he remains the cream of the crop in our book!

Wood Rings seem like a genius idea for those who are environmentally conscious, but what are some of the other reasons to purchase a wooden ring bridal set?

To begin with, there's going to be a lot of overlap between a customer base that seeks exclusively environmentally healthy products, and one that would choose a wooden ring for any other reason.
A lot of our customers feel connected with the specific woods because of it's significance in their life or in their culture. We create rings out of wood salvaged from musical instruments, ancient woods that connect the wearer to a long-gone past, and woods chosen and paired for their symbolism and historical significance. I have crafted commissions for people out of wood from a tree on their land, one from where they grew up, from family heirlooms or relics, and from places people have traveled that they don't want to forget.

We use conflict free sources for our metals and stones, as well. Again, there's a lot of overlap between sourcing that's going to be conflict free or ensure fair trade and labor conditions and sourcing that will be environmentally conscious, but they are not explicitly the same thing. We seek out both, as a business, but a customer could be coming to us for either.

And of course, you always have customers who are attracted exclusively to style. A wooden ring is going to be a fundamentally different kind of accessory from something made of metal. We sell wedding sets to couples where the man wants to wear a wedding band, but isn't comfortable wearing a metal piece of jewelry. A wooden band makes a statement that he's hip and eco-conscious, but it's a very masculine style of ring. There are people who have allergies to metals and can't wear any kind of jewelry other than something like what we provide, which makes us the natural choice when trying to select a wedding band.

What inspired you to begin crafting rings out of wood?

I was working for a cabinet-maker, trying to figure out where I wanted my craft to go, when my wife asked me if I could create a ring out of wood for her. She has metal allergies, so that first ring was an entirely practical request that gave birth to a new direction for my work as an artist.
That first ring, a labor of love to find a way to create these rings that would be elegant and durable, is how I discovered the method used to create these pieces. Each ring since then has been an opportunity to improve this method. When I started selling the rings, it was the support of a community that was eager for a product like this that allowed it to grow so quickly into the business with which I support my family. I owe a lot to Rob Kalin over at etsy.com who supported my work from vary early on, and helped to get it in front of the right consumers.
The craft has come a long way since those early days, but my wife still has the first ring, and the basic principal involved in the rings? creation has remained the same.

What are the important factors in caring for and maintaining wood rings?

Most of the same things that can damage your skin will damage the rings. Exposure to harsh chemicals, over-frequent washing/drying, rough treatment (wearing the ring while lifting or operating machinery) are all things that could compromise its finish, and thereby the integrity of the ring itself. The finish is the most important factor in keeping the ring in good condition, and if it is worn down, scratched, or chipped it can allow water into the wood which damages the ring from the inside. The rings are designed to be lived in and incorporated into the pacing of our lives, so most of your daily activities are fine. Although we recommend the ring be remove during hand washing the occasional wash will not harm the ring as long as the finish is in good condition. The rings do require a bit of extra thought and care, and we hope we have the kind of customers who are willing to put that in to owning an item that is both an art object and a piece of jewelry, but I am here to support them in that endeavor. Whether it's refinishing a ring as it gets older, or fixing it when it has gotten damaged, I will always work with the owners of these pieces to help them enjoy their ring for as long as possible.

Again a special thanks to Mr. Reyes, you can find more of his collection at his website Simply Wood Rings.

Emily's Pick of the Day - Bermuda Bags

2008-05-29T08:32:07-04:00

Did you have a Pappagallo Bag, aka Bermuda Bag when you were younger? I did, and I also had four different covers that I would change everyday to match my outfit. For real. So when I happened upon this cute yellow number, I thought about what a great gift a Bermuda bag would be for the girls in your wedding party. Maybe you could even throw in a monogrammed cover to boot. Of course, you'll have to search around for another used one, because I already bought this one for myself! Check out valeriellen's Etsy shop for more great retro finds.

Or, maybe you can try your hand at making the bags yourself with these step by step instruction available on Tall Poppy Craft

You will also need to purchase the handles (also available on Tall Poppy Craft)

And go to Repro Depot for some really cool vintage fabric:

- Emily Anderson Eco-Chic Weddings

Indie Alternatives - Bridal Shower

2008-05-28T13:01:44-04:00

Bridal showers are often a great way to bond the women in both families or bring family and friends together in general if you decide to do a couples shower. Either way today's indie alternative is creative, fun and memorable for anyone looking to give their bridal shower that special touch.

First up from Nifty Pear are these Victorian Bridal Advice Cards. Something to cherish, a family, friend or loved on writes a special message of advice for you to keep. These can be personalized for your shower and colors customized t match.

Second, add a little fun to the party with these coordinating Bridal Shower Scratch Off Game Pieces. Customizable and creative, these will be a perfect conversation starter. All you need to do is provide the winner a gift!