Silver Whisk Bake Shop
Photo by Jessica K. Feiden Textured buttercream, edible gold leaf, and handmade sugar flowers aplenty: Owner Nancy Zhou’s attention to detail is simply stunning. And sure, you could go with plain old vanilla, but where’s the fun in that? Select from unique flavors such as Key-lime coconut or chocolate-matcha-and-black-sesame to treat yourself to a cake that tastes as good as it looks. silverwhiskbakeshop.com.
Sydney Smith Design
Photo by Flavio D Photography These days, designing floral arrangements for weddings means so much more than fashioning bouquets and centerpieces. Lush flower walls, bloom-dotted ceremony arches, and gravity-defying ceiling installations are all part of the job — and we know Sydney Smith is just the pro to pull it off. Whether she’s crafting succulent-filled charger boxes, greenery-forward garlands, or refreshingly simple bud vases with sunset-hued roses, the Roxbury native never misses an opportunity to show off her creativity and flawless service (as many glowing reviews attest). sydneysmithdesign.com.
Your Dream Bridal
There’s a reason brides call Malinda Macari “the wedding-gown whisperer.” During her two-hour tête-à-têtes with clients in her intimate Sudbury boutique, the dress doyenne taps into her deep knowledge of bridal fashion to steer customers toward just the right frock in her handpicked collection — replete with sustainably made gowns from leading ateliers around the globe. Designs by Sassi Holford, Lea-Ann Belter, and Jesus Peiro (among others) all have a place here — and Macari knows them inside and out. 730 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA 1776, yourdreambridal.com.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Photo by Henry + Mac You don’t have to be an art lover to appreciate the grandeur of a wedding at the ICA. With skyhigh ceilings and swaths of glass (to say nothing of the city and harbor views), the museum’s customizable event spaces are truly in a league of their own. But it’s not just the architecture that stands out; with artfully prepared cuisine from the seasoned wedding vets at the Catered Affair, the ICA’s exclusive caterer, you’ll be more than satisfied even if you don’t duck out to enjoy the galleries (although you totally should). 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, MA 02210, icaboston.org.
Peirce Farm at Witch Hill
While the Victorian mansion on this 19th-century estate in Topsfield boasts a Gilded Age past, it’s the newly refurbished 1873 barn that delivers memorably rustic events. Swap vows outside amid the foliage — and maybe even snap a pic with the property’s resident animals — before hightailing it to the transformed space. Inside, high-set windows stream in sunlight across hardwood floors, while a shimmering chandelier suspended from the two-story ceiling emits a soft glow for evening revelry. How’s that for romantic? 116 Boston St., Topsfield, MA 1983, peircefarm.com.
Mill 1 at Open Square
Housed in a refurbished paper mill out west in Holyoke, Mill 1’s brick walls and pine beams take full advantage of the 5,000-square-foot space’s historical details while keeping elegance at the forefront. Better yet, the staff of expert event managers can deck out the venue to suit your style — from a white-linen affair among glittering bistro lights to a more pared-back fete with wooden farm tables and paper lanterns. Bonus: Open Square is a net-zero-energy development (it generates as much energy as it uses), so your wedding will be both beautiful and carbon-neutral. 4 Open Square Way, Holyoke, MA 1040, mill1events.com.
Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Courtesy of Gus & Ruby Letterpress Whether they’re teaming up with other A-list local vendors on gorgeous editorial shoots or churning out gasp-worthy stationery suites for in-the-know couples (think: handmade deckled-edge invitations, sleek velvet folios, and foil-stamped RSVP cards), Gus & Ruby always impresses. And now, nearly two years after debuting their third brick-and-mortar location, owners Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield show no signs of slowing down. Just this March, the duo announced they’ll be opening a brand-new space for meetings and custom design work (their specialty) one door over from their adorable Charles Street shop — as good a reason to pay them a visit as any. 99 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, gusandruby.com.
Glamour Cosmetics
Photo by Jessa Schifilliti Bid farewell to the days of overdone contouring and powdery foundation: Makeup artist Garineh Ashjian helps you nail that glowy, I-woke-up-like-this vibe. (She’s also all about making you feel confident, so if that means rocking a bold red lip, by all means.) Specializing in what she calls “soft glam,” Ashjian and her team ensure you’ll look and feel like a leveled-up version of yourself, no matter how little sleep you get the night before. glamourcosmeticsofficial.com.
Laura Preshong
Courtesy of Laura Preshong Looking through this South End designer’s compendium of engagement rings and wedding bands, two words spring to mind: heirloom quality. Gleaming and guiltless thanks to the brand’s exclusive use of conflict-free and lab-grown diamonds, the wide array of locally made bling runs the gamut from art deco-inspired sparklers boasting emerald-cut center stones to simple solitaires paired with knife-edge bands in rose gold. Opt for a “prix-fixe” style, choose your setting and stones separately via the à la carte service, or custom-design something entirely new. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, laurapreshong.com.
Designed by Delsie
Requiring serious organization skills, fine-tuned attention to detail, and unbridled creativity when it comes to design, modern-day wedding planning is not for the faint of heart. Yet somehow, Pearl “Delsie” Farquharson — the mastermind behind Boston- and Rhode Island–based Designed by Delsie — makes the whole thing look easy. Past collaborators rave about the expert’s poise under pressure, on-point vendor suggestions, and proactivity, while her smoothly executed (and highly personalized) events at posh venues including the Boston Harbor Hotel speak to her unwavering commitment to her clients’ visions. Consider us impressed. designedbydelsie.com.
BHLDN
Rallying the troops for a shopping sesh isn’t so easy when your ’maids live in different places. Thankfully, BHLDN’s virtual styling appointments make cross-country celebrating a breeze, ensuring each gal can successfully browse and shop online. As for the dresses? Catering to a range of sizes, styles, and budgets, BHLDN’s selection of gowns in a rainbow of easy-to-match hues — accessible via the shop’s new swatch program — all but ensures your girls will be wearing their picks long after your special day. 220 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, bhldn.com.
Russell Morin Catering & Events
With an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients — and the know-how to pull off every part of your meal, from cocktail hour to dessert — Russell Morin Catering & Events excels in making your guests feel like they’re at a high-end farm-totable restaurant. Sip orange-pomegranate Old Fashioneds and slurp oysters from the raw bar before sitting down to seared scallops with champagne-infused beurre blanc. The best part? The do-it-all caterer prepares its cuisine on-site, so you can rest easy knowing whatever you serve will be hot and fresh. morins.com.
Tiffany Von
No one encapsulates the “fine art” photography style of atmospheric, painterly perfection better than Tiffany Von Noronha. Although she’s been cultivating national clientele with weddings in far-off destinations and appearances in Martha Stewart Weddings, the Boston-based virtuoso is still right at home in the Hub’s finest indoor and outdoor venues — effortlessly capturing moments and details in romantic, unposed shots you’ll want to hang on your wall forever. tiffanyvon.com.
Epic Entertainment Boston
One thing’s for sure: These DJs know how to keep the party going. Owner and disc jockey Sheldon Gentles, or DJ Shelly Shell, and his Canton-based team bring undeniable energy and upbeat jams to weddings big and small. But they don’t need gimmicks or hype tricks to get people on the dance floor. Full of hip-hop, pop, and throwbacks, their action-packed playlists — built from special requests and good ol’ fashioned crowd reading — do that all on their own. epicentertainmentboston.com.
Love Notes by June
Known by one bride as “nothing short of a miracle worker,” Love Notes by June owner June Leung pulls off everything from simple romantic sweeps and tousled curls to textured low ponies and effortlessly stunning chignons accented with bedazzled combs. Hoping to add volume? The beauty buff and her talented team of stylists will gladly hook you up with extensions, too. lovenotesbyjune.com.