Lizzie’s Bakery
Photo by Molly Quill It can feel like a travesty to destroy one of baker Lizzie Johnson’s cakes by cutting into one, but oh, how glad you’ll be that you did: Featuring intricate floral motifs, stripes, and ribbons, her buttercream-iced custom confections are that beautiful and that delicious. Having trouble making a choice? Not to worry — Johnson offers prospective clients tasting boxes featuring six flavors so they can ponder the options (a.k.a. stuff their faces with as much cake as they please) from the comfort of home. lizziesbakery.com.
Adamas Fine Jewelry
Photo by Melissa Ostrow This Newton jewelry shop’s ring designs may range from the unconventional (think: a domed ring with a heart-shaped sparkler) to the tried-and-true (a diamond eternity band), but they all have one thing in common: timeless and lasting beauty. That’s thanks to the wealth of gemology expertise possessed by brother-sister duo Anto Aboyan and Veronica Sagherian, who’ve been business partners for more than three decades. Whether you’re updating an heirloom, creating your own bespoke piece, or dreaming of something simple and classic, they have the goods — and the know-how — to make it a reality. 22 Lincoln St., Newton, MA 02461, adamasfinejewelry.com.
Willow Tree Films
Between the dress and the flowers and the happy tears, it might feel like you’re living in a movie on your big day. And watching your cinematic Willow Tree film after the event, you might as well have been. Videographer Greg Fisher captures weddings with all the elements of a big-budget romance, from sweeping drone shots to the intimacy of stolen kisses, and weaves it all together into an epic love story. willowtreeweddings.com.
The Garden at Elm Bank
Photo by Shannon Grant Photography You don’t have to fly to Europe for an Italian-style garden wedding. Just take a quick drive to Wellesley, where you’ll find the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden at Elm Bank. The venue’s 36 acres of lush gardens are perfect for photo ops and cocktail hour; the historical indoor and tented venues swathed in twinkling lights, meanwhile, appeal to nature lovers and hopeless romantics alike. But first things first: the ceremony. For that, the romantic Olmsted-designed Italianate Garden (one of two Italianate gardens open to the public in the Bay State) is a no-brainer. 900 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482, masshort.org.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza
Always dreamed of fairy-tale vows? Arriving in a flower-draped, horse-drawn carriage for your nuptials in the Fairmont’s Grand Ballroom — a historical space complete with ornate 30-foot ceilings, twinkling chandeliers, and gilded details — should do the trick. The Oval Room, with its frescoed ceiling mural and handcarved moldings, is also a top spot for large guest lists; for more-intimate events, there’s the St. James room, which boasts warm and inviting mahogany details. No matter which space you choose, one thing’s for sure: You and your guests are guaranteed to feel like royalty. 138 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116, fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston.
Boston Harbor Distillery
With a vibe that distillery founder Rhonda Kallman calls “refined grittiness,” this 1800s-era Dorchester mill building can be dressed up or down. For one event, that translated to candles and white tablecloths in the tasting room, outfitted with 40-foot Douglas fir post-and-beam ceilings and brick walls. For another, more-casual gathering, it meant comfy couches and whiskey-barrel tables. Then there are the bar offerings to take advantage of: From signature cocktails with BHD’s Putnam whiskey to a full-on tasting table, your guests will have the chance to sample all the goods. 12R Ericsson St., Boston, MA 02122, bostonharbordistillery.com.
9Tailors
Even the most fashion-unconscious of men understand that an ill-fitting suit is a no-no on your big day. Thankfully, this custom-suiting company has the guys covered. The 9Tailors team takes a modern approach to the customization process without scrimping on Old World craftsmanship: The first consultation, for example, takes place over cocktails at the studio’s in-house bar, where you can choose from endless fabric and style options. And for brides who wish to forgo a traditional gown, the team also designs beautiful bespoke suits for the female form. 132 Lincoln St., Ste. 1L, Boston, MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Photo by Ourtesy Photo If you’re going to request the honor of someone’s presence at your wedding, you better make sure the invite is enticing. That’s where Gus & Ruby comes in. Launched 14 years ago by best friends Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield, the Portsmouth, New Hampshire–based stationery business — which now has a brick-and-mortar outpost in Beacon Hill — specializes in creating customized invitations developed with each couple in mind. Experts in letterpress, the duo’s creative designs are true works of art that your guests won’t ever want to toss — right down to the envelope liners, which can include gorgeous illustrations of whatever you fancy. 99 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, gusandruby.com.
L’elite Bridal Boutique
Photo by Alisha Norden It’s okay to admit it: Many brides dream of feeling like a princess when they’re walking down the aisle. Good thing you can expect to be treated like royalty at L’élite Bridal Boutique. The luxury boutique’s extensive selection of gowns is, in a word, dazzling: Expect to find dresses by Carolina Herrera, Elie Saab, and Oscar de la Renta sharing the racks with gems from Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa Notte, and Vera Wang for Pronovias. The cosseting service from the bridal consultants, meanwhile, ensures you’ll have a regal experience, from the gown selection and the alterations to the dress preservation after it’s all over. 137 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, lelite.com.
Orly Khon Floral
Photo by Lisa Rigby Talk about versatile: This South End designer works magic with roses and eucalyptus for more-traditional couples but also knows how to pump up the volume with unique additions like bubblegum-hued sweet peas, double-petaled brownie tulips, tropical laceleaf, and maidenhair ferns for more-daring brides and grooms. No matter the style, each arrangement is purposefully lush and overflowing, setting the scene wherever you’re getting married. 141 Malden St., Ste. 103, Boston, MA 02118, orlykhon.com.
Flair Boston
Always a bridesmaid and never a bride? That’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re shopping at Flair. Carrying a range of dress designers plus elegant accessories, the Newbury Street boutique offers both style and substance, thanks to amiable staffers who can help find the best ensemble for every body type. Bonus: The personalized shopping experience is by appointment only, so bridesmaids can relish the spotlight for at least a little while. 140 Newbury St., Ste. 202, Boston, MA 02116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Meritage Entertainment
A good DJ can get everyone from your three-year-old nephew to your great grandmother on the dance floor. Meritage Entertainment’s impressive lineup of DJs pride themselves on reading the room and getting the party started with hits, throwbacks, and all of your super-specific “must-plays” in between. Not only can they please the masses with great tunes, but they can also provide colorful uplights to set the mood and a GIF photo booth to capture all of the fun. meritagedj.com.
Peak Event Services
Ensuring everything in your event space is in sync with your wedding is a top priority — after all, no couple wants their tent coming down or their tabletops folding up at the wrong time. With Peak Event Services at the helm, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is showing up at the altar. The industry pros offer decades of experience, exceptional service, and a vast, varied inventory of everything from sailcloth tents to delicate china to champagne hedge walls (yes, that’s really a thing). And with six showrooms in New England, including one right in Boston, you won’t have to go far to find the party setup of your dreams. Multiple locations, peakeventservices.com.
Maricruz Hairstyles
Maricruz Polito believes brides look their most beautiful when they feel comfortable — and as a result, she’s a pro at just about any style under the sun, from updos and twists to loose waves, braids, and buns. The former Newbury Street stylist has a Waltham studio where she conducts hair trial runs during the week — along with classes for professionals — but come Thursday to Sunday, the mane master is on-site with her brides, creating fresh and elegant looks for their big reveal. maricruzhairstyles.com.
The Catered Affair
This culinary juggernaut is the in-house caterer for a slew of the city’s high-end venues, including the Boston Public Library, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boston Athenaeum (where it also runs a brand-new café open to the public). Which begs the question: If they trust the Catered Affair to handle their cuisine, shouldn’t you? The answer: Yes, you absolutely should. With the goal of creating unforgettable dining experiences, the team here can curate a personalized menu for your big day — think king-crab tostadas and broiled oysters with sea urchin and black lime — that looks as good as it tastes. thecateredaffair.com.