Rugg Road Paper Company
This charming shop offers a jaw-dropping array of card stocks and designs for every occasion, from receptions to rehearsal dinners. You'll also find photo albums, rubber stamps, and embossing tools for scrapbooking—all of which will preserve the memories of your big day beautifully. 105 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, ruggroadpaper.com.
DePrisco Jewelers
This family-run business has helped grooms-to-be avoid the tyranny of the little blue box for 60 years. DePrisco's personable employees, wide-ranging stock of designer and in-house lines, and tendency to knock a few hundred bucks off the asking price can put the most nervous buyers at ease. 333 Washington St., Boston, MA deprisco.com.
Best Fit
The elegantly appointed changing areas and owner Lyudmila Sletkova's painstaking workmanship evoke a bygone era. They also ensure that, whether you've gone a touch brideorexic or decided to don Mom's '70s-era gown, Sletkova can nip your dress into shape without any skimpy-curtain indecency. 268 Newbury St., Boston, MA bestfitinc.com.
Rugg Road Paper Company
This charming shop offers a jaw-dropping array of card stocks and designs for every occasion, from receptions to rehearsal dinners. You'll also find photo albums, rubber stamps, and embossing tools for scrapbooking—all of which will preserve the memories of your big day beautifully. 105 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, ruggroadpaper.com.
A. Russo & Sons
We adore the cases brimming with imported and locally made cheeses (like fiore di latte from Everett's Mozzarella House), the boxes teeming with exotic Asian vegetables, and a deli counter loaded with top-notch finds. But the best part about a trip to Russo's is that we get whole foods without dropping an entire paycheck. 560 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 2472, russos.com.
Shining Rock Golf Club
Opened only recently, Shining Rock looks like it's been around for years. And actually, it has: The course was built in 2005, but never opened until ownership changed. With multitiered greens and views of the Blackstone Valley Corridor, your toughest challenge will be staying focused on the game. 91 Clubhouse Ln., Northbridge, MA 1534, shiningrock.com.
Scarlet Oak Tavern
Comfort food rules at this pub and restaurant, so it's no surprise that brunch here feels like a good, warm snuggle. The polished farmhouse décor adds to the experience, but it's the lemon-ricotta pancakes sprinkled with fresh wild Maine blueberries and the house-smoked brisket hash crowned with poached eggs that leave us truly content. 1217 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, scarletoaktavern.com.
Café Chew
Warm, comfortable, and blessed with a private garden, Café Chew is the sort of place that makes newcomers feel like regulars. Many ingredients, including the coffee and honey, are locally sourced; the pastries are made fresh by the in-house pastry chef; and the fare itself is exceptionally satisfying, despite—or perhaps because of—its simplicity. 4 Merchants Rd., Sandwich, MA 2563, cafechew.com.
Alexander Westerhoff Antiques
French Empire furnishings in rustic Essex? Believe it. A tastefully renovated church houses Westerhoff's rare finds from the 17th to the 20th centuries (like a settee that reportedly belonged to Henry Clay Frick). There's no bric-a-brac here, just exceptionally well-chosen fine furniture, priced accordingly. 18 Eastern Ave., Essex, MA 1929, westerhoffantiques.com.
Flair
Flair's gorgeous new Newbury Street store has everything you need to effortlessly choose frocks for your 'maids: the latest designs from Jenny Yoo, Alfred Sung, and Lynn Lugo in a wide range of colors and styles, and a cozy, elegant environment that invites conversation—not conflict. 140 Newbury St., Boston, MA flairbridesmaid.com.
Donuts with a Difference
Photograph by Keller + Keller. Styling by Catrine Kelty. Visit this delightfully retro storefront, and you’ll be rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth honey-dipped spheres, jumbo coffee rolls, and coconut cake rings with the perfect bite. Best of all: Each confection is affordable enough to justify buying a dozen any day of the week. 35 Riverside Ave., Medford, MA 2155, donutswith.com.
Steel & Rye
A restaurant is only as good as its service, and at this hot spot helmed by chef Chris Parsons, that service is impeccable, from the gratis valet parking to the warm waitstaff, who happily point diners to their favorite house-made pastas (don’t miss the bucatini with lobster and smoky pulled pork). 95 Eliot St., Milton, MA 2186, steelandrye.com.
SalonCapri
This white, bright Newton Highlands spot combines the look and feel of a sophisticated city salon with the soul of a warm, family-owned business. Owner and lead stylist Nicholas Penna Jr. will work quickly and methodically to create a hairstyle that frames your face in all the right places. 31 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 2461, saloncapri.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Photograph by Bruce Peterson. Styling by Kara Butterfield. Shoe heaven is, in fact, a place on earth—and you can find it at this second-floor salon, where heels from Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and other stalwarts mingle with pairs from rising stars like Tabitha Simmons and Sophia Webster. In short: If your soles need saving, look no further than Saks. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 2199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Hudson
Interior designer Jill Goldberg’s expertly merchandized eight-year-old shop has all the rugs, furnishings, and knick-knacks that make a house a home. You’ll leave with an Assouline book, a Brahms Mount throw, and a whole new design perspective. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.com.