I'm going to have to agree with dah, if you want "lightweight", for the money boutique wheels offer no advantage.
If you really want lightweight, tubular wheels are really the only way to go. For example, using a Record 32h rear hub (251g WITHOUT SKEWERS), DT 15/16 (1.8/1.6mm) db spokes, aluminum alloy nipples and a "light" tubie rim, i.e., FiR ST-120L (formerly Isidis), 320-330g; Torelli Dominator SL (made by Ambrosio), 340-350g; Ambrosio F20 Chrono, 320g; and Wolber has a 320-330g rim, you can easily built up a wheelset as light, if not lighter than most boutiques.
One advantage that boutique wheels do offer over hand-builts is if you want low-spoke, aero rims. Its pretty hard to find rims with less than 24h and aero. About the only one I can think of is Ritchey rims, and those are only available in 24h and really are not that aero.
Besides price, another disadvantage of boutiques is replacement cost. If you crash or damage a rim or spokes, try pricing the cost of a replacement. Mavic Kyserium (sp?) rims start at like $150 EACH; Campy replacment rims are in the $180-250 range, EACH. Further, boutiques may or may not have proprietary spokes which can be very, very expensive, and really offer no advantage over DT or wheelsmith db spokes.
Bottom line, if ya got the dough and boutiques get ya riding, then get it!
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