Indie Wedding Guide

Groom: Up-cycled Bow Ties

If you are looking for something unique and recycled, why not go for a bow tie created from vintage fabrics and vintage ties. XOElle creates unique bow ties with adjustable bands, that are freestyle (self-tying).

To purchase visit xoelle on Etsy.

Indie Alternative - "Ties That Don't Suck"

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

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.

Outdoor Wedding Series - All in a Nest

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, maybe it's time to think outside the box. That's what today's company does. They take you outdoors and create beautiful accessories that are truly unique. That's what I love most about independent companies, they dare to be different.

Mosey Handmade is a company formed around the ideas of reconstructed, recycled and re-loved.

If you are planning a garden wedding Mosey Handmade makes an adorable line of "nest accessories" These nesting birds in yellows would be a perfect adornment as a cake topper.

These Groom Boutonnières are so whimsical, I love that they are created with vintage millinery supplies, real acorns and acorn tops, wool roving and real moss.

Head over to Mosey for these delightful accessories "all in a nest".

- Gabreial Wyatt, Vintage Indie

Emily's Pick of the Day - Ashley Hilton

Ethical gold and sustainable jewelry are at the center of what's often referred to as "green washing." This is because the practice of mining gold and other precious metals and gemstones can rarely be done in a non-impactful fashion. Because of this, I most often recommend choosing vintage pieces. Ashley Hilton and his lovely work is an exception. Living in New Zealand, Ashley knows exactly where his materials come from--he can actually visit the mine near his home. And he is so serious about reducing his impact that he even learned how to fabricate his own metals. Not only are his designs ethical, they are also quite beautiful. And because each of his designs have not been mined or manufactured in a way that's destructive, his pieces have an intrinsic beauty that is truly rare.
- Emily
Eco-Chic Weddings

DIY Groom's Boutonnières - Guest Katherine Rothschild

Boutonnières from a florist are pricey, wasteful, and may wilt in warm weather. So, choose a less expensive and more fun DIY ways to dress up his lapel.

    An home herb garden can render thyme, rosemary, or sage for a simple herb boutonniere. This is the most simple, most masculine option. You'll need: three stems, floral wire, wire cutters, green floral tape, and a yard of narrow ribbon (green or brown are good colors for the ribbon).
    A boutonnières should be about three inches in length, so cut your herbs to about three inches, then position them in a triad, and wrap the stems in wire, then floral tape. Wind the ribbon over the floral tape and secure with a strait pin. The pictured boutonnière was made from rosemary and deep green ribbon.

Or, for a more colorful option, create a one-of-a-kind rose ribbon boutonniere. You'll need: one half yard to one yard of 1 1/2 inch wire-edged (recycled or vintage) ribbon, floral wire, wire cutter, floral tape, thread, and a yard of narrow ribbon in a shade of green. (See set-up photo.)

To make the rose, pull the wire ends of one side of the ribbon out, fold them so they don't slip back, and gather one side of the ribbon up. It should make a circular shape. Cut a four-inch piece of floral wire and fold it in half.

Roll the ribbon into a rose shape around the top of the looped wire, leaving a wire "stem." Sew the rose ribbon in place at its base with matching thread. Wrap the stem in floral tape, then in ribbon, and secure with a single pin.

- Katherine Field Rothschild

A Special thanks to Katherine Field Rothschild for this wonderful tutorial. Please be sure to visit her fabulous indie shop Lady Handbags!

{All contributed content/photos in this feature © Katherine Field Rothschild  Please do not copy or redistribute without permission}.