Marcia Weaver is an expert at adding that certain je ne sais quoi to an event, albeit a beachside soiree or metropolitan nuptials. Well known in the industry as a professional cigar roller, Weaver’s story began in 1990 when her friend, Angel Garcia, fled Cuba with eleven other men on a handmade raft. After escaping the onslaught of Castro’s soldiers, the men remained lost as sea for nine days—suffering dehydration and sun stroke; “lighting their way through the darkness with fireflies captured in glass jars,” Weaver recalls—until they were rescued and boatlifted to Guantanamo Bay.

After settling into Key West, Fla., and gaining his US citizenship, Weaver apprenticed Garcia, eventually bringing the art of cigar rolling in Cuban tradition to Boston in 1996 as the Boston Cigar Factory. Weaver works hard at maintaining a successful business with her partner, Jack Keating, and they now share two downtown locations and travel to events all over the world. 

Recently joined by her daughter Madeleine and Keating’s daughter Lizzie, Weaver smiles at the thought of her daughter joining her at events. “I see us working together for a very long time, and taking it with her wherever she wants to go,” she says, enthusiastically adding: “ My favorite part of my profession is not only making a beautiful product that is full of history, but that everyone always looks forward to seeing us! We have been told that not only do we roll, but we rock!”

With weddings being one of the most popular events on their vitae, the rollers at the Boston Cigar Factory typically roll for an hour and a half or two hours during cocktails or following dinner. “Live cigar rolling brings the excitement of live entertainment reminiscent of exotic places,” notes Weaver of the unique service that also acts as the perfect party favor. Nodding to rollers like her friend Garcia, it also “brings an ancient art to life, piques the senses of taste and aroma and brings people together in celebration.” 

With flavored cigar options like vanilla, chocolate, rum and cognac, this doesn’t seem to be entertainment that is geared solely for the men anymore. It is very popular among female guests and makes a great addition to anything from cigar trolley tours to birthdays, corporate events, anniversary parties and more. 

To personalize your event all the more, they also “provide custom-labeled cigars complimentary with any order of one box or more.” Weaver proudly points out: “We can put anything on a label,” and it is all designed and produced in-house. Working toward other goals, the Boston Cigar Factory also plans to farm their own leaf wrapper this season, as well as launching a “luxurious on-sight airstream mobile cigar lounge.” And those are just a couple of the things to look forward to.