Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Romantic milestones and favorite songs help inform Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield's custom suites, all printed on an antique Chandler & Price press. Design elements might include barn doors that open to reveal a tri-fold invitation to a farm wedding, or die-cut pennants and a nautical-chart envelope liner for a seaside affair—anything that helps tell your special tale. 29 Congress St., Portsmouth, NH gusandruby.com.
Janie Haas Events
It's the thoughtful details that make weddings so unforgettable. But who has time to sweat the small stuff? Leave it to Janie Haas. A 36-year industry veteran, Haas will coordinate vendors, secure rentals, review contracts, and make sure everything is picture-perfect for your walk down the aisle. She and her planners will give you plenty of face and phone time, making the whole process stress-free and—dare we say it?—fun. 125 Coachmans Ln., North Andover, MA janiehaasevents.com.
Long's Jewelers
Finding a life partner takes patience, persistence, and considerable luck. Finding the right ring should not. The army of jewelers at Long's assesses your preferences before working with you to compare styles by Scott Kay, Memoire, Ritani, and the store's own brand. No matter if you're in the market for a blinding rock or subdued sparkler, the store will have something suitably special. After all that time spent looking for the right one, this search, mercifully, can be a cinch. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.
Bryan Rafanelli
If the words "wedding coordinator" call to mind a shrieking, melodramatic worrywart, think again. In the calm, confident hands of Rafanelli and his efficient crew, weddings seem all but effortless. Rafanelli molds wedding dreams into reality, based on the clients' own ideas, personalities, and tastes. From the elegant invitations and arrays of gorgeously fresh bouquets to every last perfectly placed fork (all four types of them), Rafanelli whisks away the stress of the event. 142 Berkeley St., Boston, MA rafanellievents.com.
Vows Bridal Outlet
Upgrade the honeymoon, put the foie gras back on the menu, and order more Cristal. Vows just freed up thousands from your wedding budget, thanks to its ever-revolving selection of first-rate designer markdowns. The shop is a low-pressure, low-cost treasure trove of dresses. Best of all, weekday visits are by appointment only, so you can rifle through the crisp Badgley Mischkas, flowing Vera Wangs, and silky Richard Tylers in peace. 334 Watertown St., Newton, MA bridepower.com.
Roger Plourde, James Joseph Salon
Roger Plourde gives humanity what nature didn't, from born-with-it blond highlights to look-at-me strawberry luster. Sure, he's up on the latest color trends and can certainly let fly if you want that. But foremost, Plourde works to give you exactly what you ask for and does so with that rarest of qualities: good taste. And, as the ultimate kicker to your fresh color, he happens to also be a superb stylist. 30 Newbury St., Boston, MA jamesjosephsalon.com.
Zayna Gold, Boston Body
When Zayna Gold tells you to do a pushup, you do it. You do it because she's an expert in forging top-condition bodies, because she's always at the cutting edge of new fitness moves and methods and because her devotion to you breeds your devotion to her. With more than 15 years of Pilates experience, hundreds of devoted clients, and multiple feather in her professional cap (including an appointment as trainer for Self magazine's 2002 fitness challenge), Gold has reached near-celebrity status. 364 Boylston St., Boston, MA bostonbody.com.
Maria Rodriguez, Salon Mario Russo
A manicure by Maria Rodriguez is, hands down, a tour de force. Her perfectionist's eye to detail (from clipping and buffing to lengthy hand massages) is impeccable, her conversation keeps the process interesting, and her easygoing demeanor makes the often-impossible task of choosing the perfect color a cinch. She takes the extra time to make sure nails are dry, offers pointers on how to sustain manicures, and sees to it that every singer, by the time leaves her table, feels positively regal. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Mark Bensky
Searching for real estate is as much fun as a bad case of hives. Mark Bensky of Hunneman's Back Bay office is like a dose of hydrocortisone. Kind, funny, very professional, and ever-patient, Mark will help you see that the adorable garden flat you've set your heart (and collateral) on is actually a resort hotel for vermin. Call him first. Hunneman/Caldwell Banker, 227 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA .
Bloomingdale's
Hell-o-o-o! Can anybody help me? Where is everybody? The hardest thing to find in a department store these days is a salesperson. And even when you find one, too often they're clueless in helping match you with your quest. Not at Bloomingdale's. Time and again, the sales staff is on hand, pleasant, knowledgeable, and resourceful. That's shopping. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA .
Lululemon Athletica
Because the pants are preshrunk and consummately flattering. Because the tops are sexy and comfortable. Because (heads up, yoga dudes) the men's apparel is styled like normal, nonhumiliating athletic gear. And because Lululemon's eco-friendly workout mats, gym bags, and other yoga accessories mean that you can strike a pose, discover your center, and leave behind the outside world—in more or less the same pristine shape in which you found it. 337 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, lululemon.com/boston/newbury.
Long's Jewelers
If the accessories you keep in heavy rotation include a diamond-studded Leslie Greene bracelet, cultured Mikimoto pearls, and an arty Casa Gi ring, chances are you're a Long's customer. This branch of the esteemed local chain stocks more than 50 diamond, fashion, and bridal brands, as well as a collection of exclusive estate and vintage pieces. Flashy not your thing? Pick up a sleek timepiece by top-tier watchmakers like Cartier or Baume & Mercier. 250 Granite Ave, Braintree, MA 2184, longsjewelers.com.
Wheelworks
What do former Olympians, triathletes, and collegiate cycling champs know about bikes? A lot—and many of them work at Wheelworks. So whether you're a commuter, recreational cyclist, or professional competitor, the amiable staff here can help you select the right bike, adjust your gears, and direct you straight to the nearest bike path—all in the name of a good ride. 145 Elm St., Somerville, MA wheelworks.com.
Kitchen Arts
A good cook knows a sharp knife is the fundamental ingredient of any recipe, and Kitchen Arts is the place to find a knife that will satisfy your inner Mario Batali. (It also sells sharpening steels for gourmands who want a surgeon's edge.) Once you get past the knives, you're ready for the nirvana of kitchen tools and accessories here, from tea strainers and seafood forks to copper pots and pans. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Optica
Four eyes never looked so good. Optica offers homegrown and imported couture for the face, as well as a staff that bends over backward to match a customer's eye shape and face size to the right pair of high-quality specs. Exquisite frames by Cartier and Sama share shelf space with the store's own designs, which range from nearly weightless modern shields to new takes on iconic classics, Prudential Center, Boston, MA .