Sara L. Ambarian
The Mistress of Matrimony

"I can honestly say I love weddings. They really excite me!!!" Sara Ambarian adamantly states this in the introduction to her recently published book..."A Bride's Touch: A Handbook of Wedding Personality and Inspiration".

Sara Ambarian graduated with honors in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in 1985. After graduation, she received her first job as a custom bridal designer. Since then she has concentrated on custom bridal gown and accessory design, as well as silk floral arrangements.

According to Ambarian, "my time at FIDM was very important to me. I enjoyed every part of my educational experience." Sara credits her love of 1930's to 1950's movies with her original interest in fashion design.

The costumes of Ory Kelly, Walter Plunkett, Helen Rose, and Edith Head intrigued her greatly. This burning desire to capture the professional expertise of designers like Edith Head then catapulted her into a career based on "vision, precision and taste".

Favorite costume designer... "EDITH HEAD!!! She understood her clients' figures, movie roles and personalities. She knew how to make the most of them, whether the scene required an evening gown, a bathrobe, or a peasant dirndl."

Favorite part of current career... "Being able to express romance, flamboyance, solemnity, simplicity, and whimsy through my designs. And getting to work with the most beautiful and interesting fabrics, trims, beads, and details."

Most inspirational part of bridal design... "Anything can be inspirational--a mood word; a flower; a song; a piece of fabric or lace; an historical era; a comment by the bride and/or one of her family members. But the most inspiring thing to me is the bride herself."

Greatest skill... "My ability to understand, visualize and interpret a woman's taste, desires, and ideas."

Advice for anyone who wants to do custom design... "Remember that it is an intuitive business. Focus on your client's tastes and needs. Learn how to become an expert in fitting formal gowns to each unique body shape. Keep careful records. Deliver customer satisfaction, not just customer service!!!"

Biggest success & surprise of career, thus far... "A Bride's Touch... The reason I actually started writing my book was that I kept hearing about brides who were struggling with problems I could have helped them prevent. The book was 'writing itself in my head' and keeping me up at night, so I started typing out of self-defense."

Personal philosophy... "When I design for brides, it is not about my personality, my preferences, or my vision. I am not the arbiter of bridal style. I help brides create and express their own style. My job, first and foremost, is to understand what each bride is envisioning, to tap into her desires and expectations, and then to execute her dreams."

Purpose of book... "My book is not meant to teach brides my wedding style, but to show them how to focus on and reflect their own unique style, personality, and relationship."

Future aspirations... "I have been asked if I will continue with writing instead of design. And the answer is 'No'. I don't think I'll be an author exclusively from now on. I really love the challenge and creativity of design--and the opportunity to work one-on-one with brides. I have a passion for the design industry, and my work has given me the deepest rewards you can ever imagine."

Most important advice you can give to any bride reading this... "Your wedding can be fun and memorable. You can make it close to your dream. It may not be perfect--most weddings are far from it. But I truly believe that most wedding dreams can come true--when brides have a steady focus and a can-do, innovative attitude. "Remember that a wedding is a celebration of love and the beginning of a new life."

Indeed, Sara Ambarian's book is a celebration of her love for the design industry and the beginning of a brand new life...as America's favorite wedding book author.

portrait photo by Joel Bogeberg