South End Formaggio
Here's one neighborhood shop that wins big on several fronts. Hardcore foodies drool over its petite but unparalleled stock of spreads, produce, and exotic cheeses. Culinary novices appreciate such hard-to-find items as mini-Turkish plums, wild asparagus, and "capers in salt from the Islands of Salinas," thanks to the detailed descriptions that accompany them. Even grifters (the avid samplers and snitchers in all of us) find solace here in the many free tasting plates so generously left about. Don't cook? Take home a helping of duck breast or one of the other carryout dishes. 268 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA southendformaggio.com.
The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn
Courtesy of Chatham Bars Inn No need to forfeit the Cape’s sea breeze when you unwind with a treatment at the Chatham Bars Inn’s spa: Surrounded by nature and the salty air from the ocean less than a quarter-mile away, its private outdoor cabanas are the perfect spot to unwind with a bliss-inducing deep-tissue CBD massage. If you’re looking to make relaxation the full focus of your Cape getaway, book one of the hotel’s spa suites (in-room soaking tub, sauna, and steam shower included). 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, chathambarsinn.com.
Pelham House Resort
Courtesy of Pelham House Resort Should you take your spicy marg by the beach or the pool; the swanky rooftop restaurant or the cool firepit-equipped patio? These are the toughest decisions you’ll have to make at this newly Luxe Dennis Port Hotel, which reopened in 2020 with freshly renovated oceanfront rooms and a slew of fun amenities. And with the opening of two new satellite properties this summer — each with its own unique look but connected to the main resort’s beach bonfires and poolside live music via shuttle — the Cape’s newest hot spot is only getting hotter. 14 Sea St., Dennis Port, MA 02639, pelhamhouseresort.com.
The Catered Affair
Your wedding caterer should be, above all else, a perfectionist. You don't want boring and bone-dry chicken any more than you want poorly timed service or cheesy table settings. The Catered Affair owner Holly Safford is just that—a perfectionist who runs her tight ship with equal parts creativity, fabulous taste, efficiency, and soul. What's more, she's been doing it for decades, and her seamless organization and calming demeanor has kept many a girl from turning into Bridezilla. Take that, Martha Stewart. Accord Park, Hingham, MA thecateredaffair.com.
Paper Source
Located just a few blocks from the Porter Square T stop, this store beckons with a welcoming allure. Once inside, the right side of your brain is in overdrive. You may find yourself suddenly wanting to throw a party or wishing you were moving to a new address, just as an excuse to buy the unique invitations and announcement cards. In the back of the store is a separate room filled with a huge selection of stationery and in every possible shade and paperweight. An added plus: Workshops in bookbinding and paper-making are offered. 1810 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA paper-source.com.
Daily Paper
Find everything from lobster Benedict to big-as-your-face pancakes at this cheery diner, which also serves an excellent lunch. (Beware the enormous Daily Paper burger, topped with onion rings.) Service is beyond cheerful—our waitress handled an unwieldy party of 10 with genuine care. 644 W. Main St., Hyannis, 508-790-8800; 546 Main St., Hyannis, 508-775-9711. 644 W. Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601, dailypapercapecod.com.
Paper Source
E-mail, e-vites, e-cards—you've been there, e-done that. Lend your correspondence some off-line heft with a pilgrimage to this epistolary shrine, with its formidable collection of paper, cards, and craft supplies. Initially you may feel overwhelmed, so take advantage of the design-savvy staffers (many of them art school students), the nifty DIY invitation and letter-writing kits, and personal stationery consults—all of which can help give your every missive a signature style. 1361 Beacon St., Brookline, Boston, Cambridge, Wellesley, MA 2446, paper-source.com.
Camper Shoes
This international label caters to footloose folks with sandals and canvas kicks while delighting strait-laced types with leather loafers and refined cap-toes worthy of a suit. The possibilities are as varied as those at an upscale boutique; the atmosphere, far more laid-back. 133 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, camper.com.
A Mano Catering
Elyse Etling is Boston's hottest caterer, and for good reason. Her presentation is sublime, her service is flawless, and her fare is serendipitous, tapping into ethnic dishes and unusual spices. 301 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA .
Paper Moss
The owners of this local company, Emily Hostetler and Anna Fenno, use environ-mentally friendly cotton paper and soy-based inks to craft letterpress suites with quirky typefaces and motley patterns, ensuring couples look as good on paper as they do on their wedding day. Boston, MA
The Catered Affair
More than 20 years ago, Holly Safford decided that celebrations deserved better than the substandard fare served by many caterers. That may have been a revolutionary notion at the time, but these days, brides and grooms expect spectacular food for their spectacular Big Days—and Safford delivers. With executive chef Robert Smith and a smart, hard-working staff behind her, Safford provides impeccable service and foods that go far beyond formula menus—picholine olives stuffed with sweet sausage and goat cheese, chocolate profiteroles with caramel chip ice cream, and practically anything else a couple might desire. 70 Reservoir Park Dr., Rockland, MA thecateredaffair.com.
Paper Source
Gorgeous papers, including hand-printed wrapping paper from Zimbabwe, raffia, ribbons, and a wide assortment of stamps and pads make this a shop worth seeking out. Plus, an array of wonderful classes, from creating a wedding journal to designing 3-D greeting cards, from advanced origami techniques to desktop publishing. 1810 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
The Catered Affair
Partnering with some of the area's most exclusive venues, this catering company turns out artfully plated fare that would be at home in the city's finest restaurants: chorizo beignets with romesco, espresso-roasted lamb sirloin. Maybe that's because executive chef Shane O'Neill, a L'Espalier alum, is the culinary genius behind the seasonally inspired menus. 70 Ledgewood Place, Rockland, MA 02370, thecateredaffair.com.
Paper Moss
Photograph by Francine Zaslow, styling by Abby Bielagus/Ennis First impressions count, especially when it comes to wedding invitations, which set the tone for the entire event. Work with designers Emily Hostetler and Caitlin Snyder to create custom letterpress or flat-printed pieces jazzed up with on-trend hand lettering, funky geometric patterns, or intricate maps. Don’t have enough time (or budget) to go bespoke? Paper Moss’s ready-to-order collection offers just enough customization options to make it feel personal. papermoss.com.