East Meets West
This caterer has been a mainstay at Boston’s classiest affairs since 1989, for good reason: Its food is all over the map, in the best way. Proper salmon with dill? Taco buffet? Pork-belly sliders? There are no fixed menus or cookie-cutter ideas here; the only limit is your imagination. Best of all, the team behind East Meets West doesn’t stop with menu planning: With such deep industry ties, they’ll recommend just the right DJ, florist, and venue to suit your vision. eastmeetswestcatering.com.
MKS Design
A former pastry chef, MKS Design owner Adam Simha deftly marries form and function with his steely treasures, crafted from scratch for novice home cooks and local celebrity chefs like Jody Adams. Just tell him your culinary aspirations and material preferences, and he’ll deliver your one-of-a-kind gyuto, petty, boning, steak, or cimeter knives in six to eight months. mksknife.com.
LexRx
A professional-grade facial is more accessible and convenient than ever thanks to the pros at Beacon Hill’s LexRx. Its new Lex Refine + Peel treatment, which promises to exfoliate, brighten, and cleanse, starts with a personalized phone or video consultation, during which a nurse practitioner will pinpoint your skin type and coach you through the application process from the comfort of your home. It’s an effortless way to get that post-quarantine glow—and it’ll set you back just $45. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, lexrx.co.
FBN Construction
Transparency tops FBN Construction’s list of priorities, and that’s a good thing. The firm’s commitment to communication—to say nothing of its proven planning and building skills—practically guarantees satisfaction, whether you’re overhauling the kitchen in your high-rise condo, creating the ultimate master suite in your suburban Colonial, or simply designing a functional yet elegant home office with loads of built-ins. 17 Wolcott Ct., Boston, MA 02136, fbnconstruction.net.
Newbury Tailoring Company
Taking your clothes to this stunning Back Bay space feels less like an errand and more like a visit with friends. Whether you’re a new client or a regular, the Rivas family will welcome you with a smile, a compliment, and calm solutions to your biggest clothing conundrums: a tear in an expensive leather dress, for example, or a panicked need for last-minute tailoring. Thank goodness their work is also impeccable. 324 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Bellacquer
Word to the wise: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, because you’ll need extra time to choose from Bellacquer’s seemingly endless wall of colors—more than 1,500 hues, actually. Once you’ve picked your polish, it’s time to move on to the pampering, administered by technicians who wield a nail file and cuticle trimmer with particular precision. Salon connoisseurs will appreciate the blissful hot-stone massage that comes standard with each classic pedicure. 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA bellacquer.com.
Musette Bridal
Want to look runway-ready for your fete? Musette's airy Newbury Street showroom offers a tightly curated selection of gowns from Jenny Packham, Peter Langner, Yolan Cris, and other high-fashion designers. And for the bride who wants something truly unique, the on-site atelier can craft a custom gown to your specifications. 123 Newbury St., Boston, MA musettebridal.com.
Crane & Co. Papermaker
Dalton-based Crane's 100 percent cotton paper has been used exclusively to make U.S. currency since 1879. And while your wedding invitations may be slightly less official than that, they're no less important—and should be no less grand. Crane's seasoned staff sees to it that your stock and print quality are the finest possible, and that you've got everything covered, from save-the-date cards to envelope linings and thank-you notes. Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA crane.com.
Monkia Ramuzi, Salon Mario Russo
When the big day arrives, what could be better than a visit to Mario Russo's chichi salon? Here's what: having this seasoned stylist come right to your hotel room to construct your sophisticated 'do (no stiff, tiara-topped nest of curls for you!) as you sip a mimosa. Plus, Ramuzi's got more than a decade's worth of experience dealing with brides, so prewedding hissy fits don't faze her. 9 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 2116, mariorusso.com.
Goodwin's High End
Whether you're after an MTV Cribs-worthy home movie theater, a multiroom system that lets you watch in your bedroom and bath, or a 7.1-channel surround-sound setup, the audiophiles here will help you find it. Aesthetics are also a consideration: Avalon speakers come in a range of veneers, and if you desire installation services, Goodwin's will collaborate with your architect. 899 Main St., Waltham, MA 2451, goodwinshighend.com.
Orchard
In the epicenter of Boston's skateboard scene, this Allston hangout takes things way beyond your typical shoes and decks purveyor. The profusion of brands (hats and tees from Somerville-bred Raw sit alongside national names like Nixon) is reason enough to make it your go-to, but Orchard also has cultural cred to spare: After taking a run or catching a demo on the store's mini ramp, pop upstairs to its Extension Gallery and check out works by local artists. 156 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA 2134, orchardshop.com.
Daryl Christopher
From the second your big toe hits the steamy peppermint, rosemary, and lavender foot bath to the final drop of clear topcoat, Daryl Christopher's signature pedicure is pure nirvana. The exfoliating scrubdown, filing, and alpha hydroxy acids (no medicinal scents here; these are squeezed from passion fruit) are deliciously invigorating. And the massage—noticeably longer and more intense than most—can be followed by a separate paraffin treatment that makes your tired, dry dogs as velvety soft as a baby's feet. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA dchristopher.com.
Ronnie Sullivan, True Colours
No matter how stressed your tresses, Sullivan can fix them at his new color-only salon in the South End. Brassy blondes and lackluster brunettes alike have all been transformed. Sullivan has even been known to foil short hair (most colorists force single-processing). While he can't promise a mane as glorious and glossy as it-model Gisele Bundchen's, he'll at the very least take your hair to a higher level. 55 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA .
Julie Michaud
She does runways, she does catalogs and photo shoots, and can do you just as fabulously. Julie's full pro, but loves to get girly about makeup (she came out with her own cosmetics line last year) and weddings (yours, as well as hers, just last month). Her artistry is designed to last, with minimal touch-ups during your special event. She'll even run you through a test drive before a big day: $40 for a coif and $45 for a makeup application. Solus, 155 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Daryl Christopher Salon & Day Spa
There are different facials for every skin type. If yours is the type tat responds well to 90 minutes of lying naked between fresh sheets in a private room with candles and soothing music while someone gives your face a workout, the Guinot super hydradermic facial with eye treatment is for you. If you want pampering but you're acne-prone or the words "manual extraction" make you nervous, consider a pedicure instead. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA .