The Hipster Handbook to the Anti-Wedding

Steve's is a magical place. Inside, you see nautical bric-a-brac everywhere, and you wonder if you've been transported to an early 20th-century fishing outpost. From chocolate-covered key lime pies on a stick to the tart original, Steve's is a lovable institution of Red Hook. Why not order a bunch for catering?

This avant-garde artistic florist features geometric glassware, unconventional flowers, and fun window displays. I love going in to browse -- who wouldn't be pulled in by flowers that wind around Sonic Youth album covers? Be ready to pay, but for weddings, this place can make your dreams come wildly true.

Happy hour is packed at this cavernous DUMBO spot, when burgers can set you back as little as $5 and beers $3. Add a duck fat popcorn and shoestring fries and settle in for the night.

With a fun selection of vintage kitchen tools and high-end new gagdets, SCRATCHbread delivered daily, classes in the beautiful sun-filled kitchen, and instructional videos online about shucking oysters and sabering champagne, Brooklyn Kitchen is an excellent local resource. The store has grown as Williamsburg has grown and matured, moving from a smaller spot and adding more tools and classes. The space is shared with The Meat Hook, the best butcher in Williamsburg.

With lovely engagement and wedding rings by Satomi Kawakita, Katie Diamond, Digby + Iona, Erica Weiner, and Elisa Solomon, as well as a host of other jewelry, Catbird is a beautiful little jewelry box of a shop. Ask for unique and personalized jewelry -- they may be able to help.

Housed in a cavernous high-ceilinged former horse stable, this former Williamsburg venue known for cabaret, burlesque, variety and music is much lusher in Dumbo, with circular seating for large parties and a fancier bar than before. Weddings are happily situated here, where parties can watch a comedy or trapeze show from seating above in the mezzanine or dance below on the ground floor.

Did you know that Berry Park has weddings? I happen to know because several couples I know have gotten hitched on Berry Park's rooftop, with yummy food catered by the bar. If there's a gorgeous sunset, an outline of Manhattan, plenty of food, and enough folding chairs, what more do you need? Head to The Gutter for a dive bar reception of bowling afterwards.

This lovely Red Hook bar and restaurant is known for its excellent rotating menu of cocktails, which often harken back to vintage recipes from say, The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book of 1935 or The Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930. Bitter, refreshing flavors play an essential role in many of the drinks.

Whisk is not your mother's kitchen store, or even your cool aunt's. Whisk is for the young gal or guy who pickles, jams, makes unicorn cookies, and cleans it all up while whistling along to Hot Chip remixes. If you're getting married, you can register here.

Tu-Lu's opening was a big splash in the GF community. Unique items like GF quiche, panini and donuts, and a warm, cute interior have made this small spot a favorite for celiacs tired of the GF cupcake. Red Velvet birthday cakes can be special ordered.

With a humble attitude, brag-worthy pizzas, greet-each-table hospitality, and a gorgeous reclaimed wood interior designed by the Haslegrave brothers, Paul Giannone has the right formula in Greenpoint. From the Ricotta Da Vegan with vegan fennel sausage, cashew ricotta and arugula, to the Bacon Marmalade Piccante with red onion, everyone except celiacs will be satisfied here.

The first time I stumbled upon Brooklyn Winery, there were actual grapes hanging on a vine not too far from the entrance. It felt like ... viticultural serendipity. All signs pointed to this large, beautiful space, with a large back patio, multiple rooms, a photo booth with costumes, an impressive selection of wines, and a host of classes, from tasting to making. And then someone told me AC/DC made wine there together. That's it, Brooklyn Winery. You're a magical place.

Champu pup Chloe welcomes you as you step into this vegan salon, where my stylist made thoughtful suggestions about my idea for a cut and carried it out very professionally. No razor was used (I prefer a scissor cut) and my stylist took her time perfecting the cut. Unite Eurotherapy vegan products are used here, and I have found them to be very effective. The shampoo was gentle and relaxing, and my hair was styled beautifully for going out.

Delicious little treats like rice krispie bars, mexican choco brownies, peanut butter cookies and caramel cream oreos await you at this magic cookie jar of a truck. Hire them to vroom right up to your wedding reception and provide sweets to sugar rush up the outdoor dance floor!

This food truck has slogged the long haul through several years in NYC and is going strong. With delicious Belgian frites, a rarity in Midtown, for $3, and burgers like The Texan, a grassfed Angus with provolone, applewood bacon, Cajun onions and Maker's Mark BBQ sauce, for $9.50, that's no surprise.

Is it good? No, it's amazing. So out of control buttery and delicious, you start thinking about your NEXT Butter Lane cupcake while you're STILL eating the current one. Made with organic ingredients, their towers of cupcakes make a fun, easy wedding sweet sans silverware or plates. Select from vanilla, chocolate, cream cheese, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, lemon, key lime, coconut, espresso, peanut butter, or one of their personalized flavors for you for your tower.

A cozy vegan diner and bakery on the corner next to a major bike path, Champs was destined to succeed from the start. Try the faux sausage piggies in blankets, tofu scramble, nachos, French toast and all the desserts, especially the amazingly moist red velvet cake balls.

Dun-Well is warm, well-decorated and delicious, with amazing doughnuts and a completely decadent doughnut sundae -- a doughnut with a scoop of ice cream and syrup on top.

"I Can't Believe It's Vegan" lunch truck also offers breakfast: bourbon hazelnut pancakes with cranberries, beer syrup and pine nut butter.

Noon feels better with a bloody mary from Pine Box. Lovable local bar that features the Vegan Shop-Up market, trivia night, and empanadas with vegan daiya cheese.