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.
The Boylston Rooms
ERIN WITMER Nestled inside a former textile factory, this alluring Pioneer Valley venue offers everything you’ll need for a killer party: a talented catering team to prepare your wedding feast, access to scenic outdoor areas for endless photo ops, and a much-needed bridal suite for when you need a break from schmoozing with guests. Dress up either of the Boylston Rooms’ function spaces with your choice of décor, or simply let the celebration spots speak for themselves: Effortlessly cool with swaths of white-painted brick and oversize windows, the high-ceilinged rooms are already rich in character. 122 Pleasant St., Easthampton, MA boylstonroom.com.
Spectacle
Choosing a new pair of glasses or sunnies is one of the most difficult shopping tasks, second only to shopping for jeans. One glance in the mirror is hardly enough to determine whether you’ll like this new addition to your face next month—to say nothing of whether the style will still look au courant next year. Enter Spectacle, a small shop that sells logo-free, non-branded glasses in a bevy of timeless shapes and colors. Its 60-day exchange policy lets you actually live with your new look before making any major commitments. Imagine if the same rules applied to denim. 505 Tremont St., Boston, MA spectacle-eyeware.com.
Polkadog Bakery
Walk your pooch within a block of any Polkadog location, and you’re guaranteed to feel a sharp jerk on the leash pulling you toward the store’s front door. Perhaps Fido can smell the drool-inducing Clam Chowda strips. Maybe he remembers the free snacks generously doled out by pet-loving staffers. Whatever the reason, it’ll be worth the embarrassment of being walked in by your dog, given that you’ll also love browsing the shelves stocked with colorful toys and leashes. Too bad most cats don’t go for walks, because a lot of this is available for felines, too. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
Hive & Colony
Why rent when you can make your newlywed debut in something entirely custom? The always-friendly suit savants at Hive & Colony take the guesswork out of creating a wholly unique getup, helping you navigate thousands of Italian, Australian, and English fabric options — from beachy linen to elegant virgin wool — plus design details such as cuff and lapel styles. And with an assist from the team’s snazzy 3-D body scanner, which captures 300 measurements, your new duds are guaranteed to fit like a glove. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, hiveandcolony.com.
Blue Hills Ski Area
Want to teach your little snow angel to ski, but don’t feel like trekking up north just for a lesson? Try hopping on the bunny slopes right in your own backyard. Despite the black-diamond trails and 300-plus foot drop, the Blue Hills Ski Area is actually perfect for beginners, too, with programs for all ages and levels, including private lessons. We’re also a fan of the equipment rentals, which will save you from dropping a fortune on gear the kids might grow out of in a year or two. 4001 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021, bluehillsboston.com.
Tiina Smith
Sporting a piece from Tiina Smith’s jaw-dropping collection of vintage sparklers feels like being transported back in time. Art deco rings, dripping with sapphires and diamonds, recall Gatsby-esque cocktail parties, while beaded Marina B cuffs celebrate the boldness of ’80s style. Worried about taking care of your new heirloom? Don’t be: Smith’s lengthy roster of concierge services ensures you’ll know just how to clean and store your precious bling when you’re not showing it off. 33 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, tiinasmithjewelry.com.
Eye Adore Threading
It’s been said that eyebrows should look like sisters: similar, but not identical. If yours look more like total strangers, spend some time with Eye Adore owner Akriti Shrestha Maes. Her skill in threading — an ancient hair-removal technique that uses thread to remove unwanted hair — was honed in her native Nepal. The result? Beautifully sculpted brows every time. And if you want to make the look last longer, Maes also offers brow lamination, which can keep your perfect shape for up to six weeks. Multiple locations, eyeadorethreading.com.
Breve Spa at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport
Sick of the assembly-line nail-salon experience? Swap your clothes for a robe and slippers, sit back in one of Breve’s five full-massage chairs, and prepare for the spa mani-pedi of your dreams. Many of the nail techs here came over from the recently shuttered Bliss Spa at the W, so they know how to turn a buff-and-polish sesh into a memorable day (see: the red-algae-infused, anti-aging “cocoon wrap”). Also upping the Zen quotient is access to the co-ed relaxation room, where you can savor a cold beverage or a light snack and forget about the hustle and bustle of the outside world. 450 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210, omnihotels.com.
Barra
The blue-corn tortillas are things of beauty at this Somerville hideaway, lovingly hand-pressed and shrouding morita mayonnaise-slathered fried fish and pork al pastor with grilled pineapple. But that’s not the only thing we adore: Deep-fried empanadas and enchiladas doused with rich house-made mole sauce join drinks that celebrate less-seen spirits such as sotol and nixta (a silky liqueur made of corn) on a menu quite different from any other Mexican restaurant in town. Whatever you order, do try the house margarita with the rim of chapulines, or ground fried grasshoppers — another tasty way to enjoy the Mexico City vibe. 23a Bow St., Somerville, MA 02143, barraunionsquare.com.
Umami Omakase
A piece of nigiri at Umami Omakase. / Photo by Kristin Teig Uni alum Gary Lei opened this exceptional North Cambridge sushi destination in late 2019, so perhaps it escaped your notice in the turmoil of the next few years. Now it’s waiting for you with 18 delightful courses of sashimi, sushi, Wagyu, and more (sake pairings optional but very recommended). The space is fairly no-frills — all the better to train your full attention on exquisite bites like a spoonful of quail egg, ikura, and tuna tartare, and luscious chawanmushi with shrimp and scallop. À la carte takeout is available, but this is a worthy splurge for a dine-in omakase feast. 2372 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, umamiomakase.com.
Farmacia
A cocktail at Farmacia. / Photo by Chris Vela This buzzy bar has just nine seats — so be sure to book your prepaid ticket far in advance. It’s well worth the effort to take a journey around the world through several cocktails. Whether it’s flavors of the Caribbean or the American South, the theme changes every few months, which means you’ll probably want to set a reminder to book a seat for the next, and the next, and the next. Light snacks accompany the drinks, but we recommend padding your stomach with a carb-y North End dinner beforehand. 5 North Sq., North End, MA 02128, farmacianorthend.com.
Pini Swissa, Pini Swissa Salon
In a sun-drenched studio high above Newbury Street's more fashionable end, Pini Swissa studies your head from every angle, scrupulously analyzing your hair before he makes his first snip. It's that attention to detail that makes Swissa, born and raised in a small Israeli village where he got his start trimming shrubbery, the preferred hairstylist of Boston's first family: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen. As you sip a cappuccino from a silver plate while Swissa crafts a dapper coiffure straight out of GQ, you, too, will feel like a five-time Super Bowl champion. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Laundromutt
What’s worse—a dog in desperate need of a bath, or one that returns from the groomer smelling like cheap air freshener? At Laundromutt, the emphasis on all-natural products means your pooch will be shampooed with olfactory-pleasing scents like honey-almond and pomegranate. Fido, meanwhile, will be in great hands with the company’s expert groomers, who handle matted fur and overgrown coats with ease. And if a romp in the mud needs urgent attention, there’s also the DIY bath, which doesn’t require an appointment. Waterproof smocks are included—hair in the drain of your home tub, mercifully, is not. 489 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, laundromutt.com.
Veiled in Motion
Who better to capture your wedding day than a couple of lovebirds themselves? The husband-and-wife team behind Veiled in Motion, Mark and Valery DerHovanessian, incorporate candid glimpses, toast highlights, and breathtaking drone footage to create a film that transports you back to the precious sights and sounds of your big day. Whether you choose New England nuptials or, when it’s safe to travel again, a destination elopement, the Boston-based pros will have you reliving those first married moments with the press of “play.” veiledinmotion.com.