Photo by Kelly Dillon

Planning a wedding is no small undertaking. But fear not, future brides and grooms—we’re here to help, with details on wedding shops and services voted tops in our annual “Best of” survey.

It all starts with the dress, and there is no better starting place than Sposabella Bridal in Hyannis. Owner Charlene Colon has been providing a one-stop shop for brides for over 16 years. The 3,000-sqaure-foot boutique on Barnstable Road offers hundreds of dresses for brides from over 20 vendors. Under the same roof, grooms are not forgotten, since Cape Cod Tux boasts the only full-service tuxedo shop on the Cape.

Colon says brides really aren’t looking for the latest trends, “They are looking for what’s classic, something that will stand the test of time as they look back at their photos.” The full-service salon helps brides identify the best dress for them, while taking into account style, fit and budget. “The options are endless; people should start with what they like,” says Colon. “By listening to the client, we can help them find exactly the right choice.” Colon says what she enjoys most about her job is “making people happy. This is a happy business.”

Making people happy is also the top priority at Hair Affinity in Chatham. Owner Laurie Murphy says she and her team of stylists set out to create a stress-free and enjoyable environment for brides on their wedding day. “We really have fun with what we do—and that’s part of what we offer,” she says. “It’s important to have fun on your day. A lot of people like to bring breakfast and make mimosas. Everyone can hang out here and let loose.”

At Hair Affinity, brides and bridal parties can get their nails and makeup done in addition to their hair. When it comes to wedding hairstyles, Murphy says the up-do is popular among Cape Cod brides. She says she and her team love doing various styles of up-dos—from an understated chignon to detailed braiding. For women with shorter hair, Murphy’s stylists can incorporate extensions to achieve the same look.

If a destination wedding on Nantucket is your dream, then David M. Handy Events can turn that dream into a reality. “We’ll design your full wedding weekend—the Friday rehearsal dinner, the wedding itself on Saturday, and then the Sunday brunch,” explains David M. Handy, who works alongside his husband, Donald J. Dallaire. “We spend the time with our clients to make sure that all of the details are exactly what they’re looking for, and especially emphasize the design element. We’re really creating a special wedding weekend for them that’s stress free, fun and exciting, and something that everyone’s talking about for years to come.”

Inside the company’s 3,000-square-foot design showroom, located at 126 Old South Road on Nantucket, Handy says couples can create a full mock-up of their décor. “It’s really like a wedding library,” he says of the studio, “where our clients pick their china, glass, silver, table linens, chairs, candle holders—everything.”