Museum of Fine Arts
Even the merest trifle takes on special significance when wrapped in one of the beautiful gift papers form the MFA gift shop. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Today's Bread, Ltd.
A neighborhood secret, already discovered by top caterers. Get here early, or it's gone. 701 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Chef Lee's Famous Soul Food
From collard greens to pig's feet to fried chicken to sweet-potato pie, Chef Lee's offers a full menu of homey cooking. they cater, too. 1140 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA .
Forklift
Mediterranean, Asian, classic American—this Union Square caterer will happily hop from cuisine to cuisine for your wedding spread, incorporating vegan and gluten-free menus with ease. Chefs Dennis Tourse and Jamie Rogers are tight with local farmers, which translates to personalized menus featuring natively sourced ingredients whenever possible. Top requests include avocado beggars' purses and fava-bean crostini with wild mushrooms. 5 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA 02143, forkliftcatering.com.
Alpha Omega
To some, time is commitment. To others, it's a luxury. Alpha Omega caters to both types with its selection of designer watches well worth locking on your wrist. Watch the minutes tick by on a solid gold Rolex, diamond-studded sparkling Ebel, or sturdy sterling-silver TAG Heuer. Good timing was never so easy. 1380 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Pendragon, Ink
For 20 years, Massachusetts native Maria Thomas has been designing hand-lettered, hand-painted stationery. Now she has hit the big time with a line of elegant wedding papers for Crane and Company, the Renaissance Collection, which is destined to be coveted by all who receive them. Crane & Company Papermakers, Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Park
Park Restaurant This well-decorated, approachable spot caters to the Harvard crowd with a stellar late-night menu and dining areas that have a scholarly feel—"The Classroom" space, for example, features lounge chairs and shelves filled with books. What to Order: The meat pie of the day; patty melt. 59 JFK St., Cambridge, MA parkcambridge.com.
Kenzie Kids and K Girl
This is where all the best-dressed kids in school shop. One side of the store caters to wee ones with Little Giraffe onesies, Deux Par Deux dresses and jeans, Splendid tees, and Montclair jackets. The other side, meanwhile, features trendy designer looks (Chloe dresses, Armani jackets) for budding fashionistas in their tweens and teens. 200 Linden St., Wellesley, MA kenziekids.com.
Eileen McNamara, <em>Boston Globe</em>
She had no qualms writing a column criticizing disgraced fellow Metro writer Patricia Smith by name. But when the Globe's Steve Bailey tried to write a column criticizing McNamara by name, she complained to her bosses and voila—her name was removed from the column before the paper went to press.
Fête Collection
When it comes to paper goods, Fête Collection is in a league of its own. Co-owners Julie Pike and Eileen Sherman have serious experience with the etiquette, timelines, and wording of a full invitation suite, not to mention the design decisions that go into creat 345 D St., Boston, MA 02127, shopfete.com.
East Meets West
As challenging as combining two families may seem to a bride and groom, the caterer has an equally tough job: feeding them. East Meets West's creative menus promise to keep both sets of in-laws happy—chicken stuffed with mozzarella and pesto for his Mediterranean clan, mushroom ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes for her vegetarian relatives. Now, if only there were a way to get everyone on the same page about the reception music... 212 Old Colony Ave., Boston, MA eastmeetswestcatering.com.
Season to Taste
Season to Taste’s creative farm-to-table menus make a big impact at wedding receptions without creating a big carbon footprint. Chef-owner Robert Harris is passionate about sustainability in catering, showcasing the season’s bounty in ever-creative ways: take his summer heirloom-tomato bar, which offers six or seven varieties prepared to order with mozzarella, basil purée, balsamic-cider reduction, and crusty bread. Staffers will even deliver leftover food to a homeless shelter upon request, making sure absolutely nothing goes to waste. 2447 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2140, seasontotastecatering.com.
Bunker Hill Barber Shop
Set in a row of clapboard Colonials, this Chucktown haunt is the ideal neighborhood spot for reading the paper, chatting about the game, and—oh, yeah—getting a great cut. 26 Common St., Charlestown, MA .
Boston Symphony Orchestra
From its historical digs on Mass. Ave., the BSO manages to cater to both Liszt fans and those who just want to hear what the Star Wars theme sounds like live. bso.org/.
Snyder's
Snyder's, 601 Washington St., has more canteens than the armed forces of Poland. If it hired a few more salesman, it would immediately become the ninth-ranked army in the world. The choice of knowledgeable campers. 601 Washington St., Boston, MA .