Rebekah Brooks
Melissa Stimpson “Jewelry is the oldest currency we have.” So says bling maker Rebekah Brooks, who combines classic grandeur with ethereal whimsy for both engagement and wedding rings. Her stunning sparklers run the gamut from vermeil bands inlaid with purple-magenta sapphires to yellow-gold scroll rings that look like waves on the sea—all totally on-point for an indie jeweler who crafts her pieces in artsy Northampton. 96 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, rebekahbrooks.com.
Silver Whisk Bake Shop
Hannah Cochran Photography You personalize so many elements of your wedding day—why have a basic cake? Silver Whisk Bake Shop works with each couple to create a confection unique to their style, with two constants: understated elegance and surprising flavors (think: matcha and lychee). And while COVID-19 temporarily puts a pause on parties, the Stoneham bakery has been staying busy delivering wedding-cake tasting boxes and packaged petit fours—jewel-like sponges coated in Swiss-meringue buttercream and sealed with chocolate that are a perfect taste of sweeter times to come. silverwhiskbakeshop.com.
O Luxe Design
DW Digital Photography Thoughtfully crafted with a keen eye for color and scale, the bold centerpieces, runners, and greenery-forward installations dreamed up by Erica Jones and her team at O Luxe Design feel showy in all the right ways, bringing personality and creativity to every space they touch. One recent standout? A circular sweetheart-table arch, wrapped with trendy pampas grass and Italian ruscus for a barn bash in Groton. oluxedesign.com.
Fête Collection
Julie Pike Receiving a wedding invitation in the mail is always exciting. But when your guests open the envelope and discover, say, a custom illustration of your venue or a folding card with the weekend’s agenda, it’ll be even more so. Along with personalized invitation suites, these Southie-based stationery savants can dream up vellum menus, playful cocktail cards, and foilstamped napkins. And if you don’t have the time (or the calligraphy skills) to address the envelopes yourself, they’ll make sure each one is signed, sealed, and delivered. shopfete.com.
Urban Soirée
When up-and-coming event planner Renée Sabo launched her own boutique firm in 2017, she quickly established herself as one of the city’s go-to vendors. While her creativity and attention to detail shine through in each wedding the Urban Soirée founder brings to life, it’s her deep commitment to her clients and community that impresses most. When the coronavirus outbreak threatened to derail untold brides’ and grooms’ big days, for example, Sabo sprang into action, sharing crucial postponement and rescheduling advice on her blog and teaming up with fellow pros to offer gratis planning consultations for local couples in distress—true leadership, if ever we’ve seen it. urbansoireeboston.com.
Your Dream Bridal
Bridal-gown stylists deal with a cross-section of the touchiest subjects: our relationships with our bodies, our closest family members, and our money. Your Dream Bridal’s Malinda Macari expertly guides you through that emotional minefield, landing you and your perfect gown—handpicked from designers such as Jesus Peiro and Truvelle—securely on the other side. The icing on the cake? Macari insists on booking just one client at a time, so you and your squad get the boutique all to yourselves, ensuring that the experience is both meaningful and safe. 730 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776, yourdreambridal.com.
Mr. Sid
When you finally get to strut your stuff down the aisle, you want guests to remember the smile on your face—not the ill-fitting suit on your back. With locations in Newton and now the Seaport, Mr. Sid offers private consultations for made-to-measure bespoke tuxes (plus high-end lines such as Brioni) that will make even the most reluctant shopper feel—and look—special. A fortifying cocktail before or after a fitting doesn’t hurt, either. 49 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, mr.sid.com.
Entertainment Specialists
You’d be hard-pressed to find a local planner or vendor who hasn’t heard of (or worked with) this talented team of DJs. Led by Mike Amado, an industry vet who’s spun records for A-listers including Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi and Gladys Knight, these savvy artists consistently earn high marks for their ability to create mixes that keep the energy high (and guests on their feet) all night long. entertainmentspecialists.com.
Maricruz Hairstyles
Entrusting someone with the most photographed hairstyle of your life is no small decision—unless, of course, that someone is Maricruz Polito. With years of experience behind every tendril she curls, pins, or spritzes into place, the savvy stylist doesn’t just create memorable ’dos for clients preparing to walk down the aisle. Polito—who recently debuted a shiny new studio in Waltham—brings peace of mind to brides looking for a stress-free (and decidedly elegant) wedding day. 681 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, maricruzhairstyles.com.
Carly Michelle Photography
In a crowded field of wedding photographers, Carly Yarbrow has emerged as a visionary. Her images’ signature rosy-hued aesthetic instantly elevates any wedding, elopement, or engagement shoot to a heavenly realm. One especially bright spot in Yarbrow’s divine portfolio? Her portraits, in which even the most camera-shy of subjects radiate with natural joy and love. Plus, her eye for detail is unmatched (see: her skill in sending a veil billowing beautifully into the breeze). carlymichellephotography.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.
Stonover Farm
A glistening pond dotted with ducks. A century-old farmhouse, made bright with eggshell-blue trim. A soaring barn adorned with bistro lights. That’s what awaits those who tie the knot at this sweetly rustic Berkshires venue. 169 Under Mountain Rd., Lenox, MA 01240, stonoverfarm.com.
Olio
Yes, the industrial-chic look is still in—and no one nails the aesthetic better than Olio, an early-20th-century theater turned 6,000-square-foot event space. 43 Main St., Peabody, MA 01960, oliopeabody.com.
The Mount
For weddings awash in nature, there’s no rivaling the flower power of the Mount’s lush French and Italianate gardens. And did we mention the Berkshires estate was once the residence of novelist Edith Wharton? 2 Plunkett St., Lenox, MA 01240, edithwharton.org.