The Ukrainian designer Milla Nova is among many wedding-gown styles available at Radiant Bride in Rocky River. Photograph courtesy of Radiant Bride

By LAURI GROSS
While weddings weren’t literally cancelled in 2020, the pandemic definitely put a damper on traditional nuptials. But now they’re back. Or getting there. And whether you’re a guest, a mom of the bride or groom, or the bride herself, you’re going to need something special to wear.
Lisa Moran, owner of Lisa Moran, Ltd. in Eton Chagrin Blvd., in Woodmere, said, “People are feeling very confident. They want to celebrate and wear long dresses.” Lisa’s shop features the finest in evening wear from casual cocktail to ball gowns including mother of the bride and groom. They also carry sportswear.
Despite the pandemic-related slowdown in supply chains, Lisa Moran, Ltd. managed to bring in long dresses and they are having periodic trunk shows. Lisa is seeing that “women want color,” she said, as she added, “there is still a lot of navy, plus hot pink, salmon, florals, jewel tones, periwinkle, and blush.”
As for fabrics, Lisa said, “One of my favorites is silk and wool. You get the sheen but it’s still natural fibers so it breathes. It’s a beautiful heavy hang but it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a heavy polyester dress. Silk chiffon is also wonderful and we have some beautiful crepes.”
Lisa also described a popular line of gowns from the Netherlands that features stretch lace on top of a stretch lining, in prints and solids. “It’s very contemporary, she said. “It’s as body conscious as you want it.” She explained that these can be worn really tight, form fitting, or just to skim the body. Lisa and her team work with the designer in the Netherlands to customize some aspects of these dresses, such as making the underlayer a nude color, or dropping the back lower.

Shoppers at Lisa Moran, Ltd. at Eton Chagrin Blvd. will find gowns like this featuring stretch lace on top of a stretch lining. The popular line is from the Netherlands. Photograph courtesy of Lisa Moran, Ltd.

Sometimes, the mother of the bride and groom come into Lisa’s shop together, to ensure the color of their dresses “don’t fight one another,” she said, as she added, “The moms are definitely getting more dressed up than the guests, which is how it should be.” Lisa’s offerings also include cocktail or tea-length dresses.
As for bridal gowns, Radiant Bride in Rocky River carries a balance of designers and a wide variety of styles, in addition to veils, hairpieces and jewelry. Owner Ellen McFadden said, “Our top selling line (of gowns) is Essense of Australia.  We love the Enzoani line and have just picked up the Milla Nova line from Ukraine.  We believe they may be an up-and-coming line globally.”
Ellen is still seeing styles reflect the small, intimate weddings from the Covid era. Currently popular wedding gowns, she said, are, “minimal, effortless dresses with corset-style bodices, low/wide square necklines, botanical laces and 3D lace/beaded appliques.”
To ensure that brides of every race are catered to, Ellen said designers offer linings, sheer illusion fabric and cups in a range of shades. She added, “They are also making sure that their photography/models are racially inclusive.”