Bridal Fashion: Say ‘I do’ while looking Uniquely U. By, Samantha Saifer Berngard

We are thrilled to have Chicago’s “it” Style Girl, Samantha Saifer Berngard, guest blog about her favorite topic…Fashion! A recent bride herself, she has the best advice to give about finding the perfect wedding dress that best represents you. Samantha is the Senior Marketing Director of the fashion pr, marketing and events firm SKOOG Productions where she represents national retailers such as LOFT owned by Ann, Inc. and orchestrates store opening events for them across the country. Prior to SKOOG Productions, Sam was the Marketing Director of Modern Luxury-owned publications CS Magazine, CS Brides, CS Interiors, Front Desk and Men’s Book for seven years, overseeing all marketing, events and pr efforts for each publication. Sam also currently serves as the Chicago Brand Ambassador for BCBG and was chosen in 2010 as the #1 ambassador nationwide where she was sent to New York Fashion week to meet Max Azria. In addition, Sam serves on the Joffrey Ballet Auxiliary Board, Fashion Group International and Dress for Success. She is also the co-founder of ‘Fit Club’ in Chicago, which offers women in media and pr the opportunity to network through the latest fitness classes in the city once a month. Honorable mentions include being chosen as Refinery 29′s 2012 ‘Hottest 30 Under 30 in Chicago’ as well as Cheeky Chick Chicago’s Top ‘Media Chick’ in 2011.

 Samantha’s wedding day. By Caleb Condit Photography

See the video of her wedding here:

Say ‘I do’ while looking Uniquely U.
By, Samantha Saifer Berngard

The age-old bridal advice: “Don’t wear anything too trendy.” “Be the classic bride.” “You don’t want to look back on your photos and have regrets.” “Play it safe….”

You know what I say? Whether it is trendy or not, wear something memorable and most importantly something that reflects your own personal style and taste. If you tend to go for the latest trends, then don’t let your wedding day be any different from your everyday. Princess Diana’s dress may be dated, but it certainly was memorable . . . in fact, it was iconic. Be iconic.

Every bride wants her own wedding to exemplify who they are as an individual as well as whom she and her husband are as a couple. So why shouldn’t the bridal trousseau reflect the bride’s unique taste as well? Does a sweetheart neckline really convey your own personal style? No. Of course it is a flattering and always a safe choice, but as more and more designers are thinking outside the box, so should you!

Vera Wang’s Scarlett Red Dress from Spring 2013 collection. See more in our “Red Dress” Fashion Friday post.

More than ever, designers are picking up on the shift from the classic bridal cuts and pooffy looks of the past to more modern silhouettes and trends pulled influenced by the ready-to-wear collections. Check out Vera Wang’s Scarlett red dresses from her 2013 Spring collection or even some of the black dresses that have popped up on the runway.

Black Bridal Dress from weddingdresstrends2012.com

If you tend to opt for the black dress for a night on the town, because that is the color that you feel your absolute best in—then why not wear it at your wedding? At least there is a greater chance that you will actually be able to wear that dress again. Not to mention, wearing black may be a great quick fix for those last few pounds you didn’t lose before the wedding. Kate Middleton’s dress may have been somewhat traditional, but the sleek, minimalist silhouette embodied the fundamental style principles that Kate tends to follow in her everyday looks as well.

Samantha’s wedding day: Caleb Condit Photography

More than bridal magazines, I looked to the red carpet for bridal inspiration at my own wedding. I looked at everything that celebs wore to the Met Gala to what showed up on the red carpet at Cannes. There is so much style inspiration out there that does not have to come from traditional looks found in The Knot. Think about your own personal style icons and the looks you tend to go for on a day to day basis and how those looks can easily be translated into your wedding wardrobe.

Inspiration Sketches of Drew Barrymore’s dress on Brides.com

Do you drool over everything romantic? Did you gawk over Diane Kruger’s bohemian feather-trimmed Prada frock at the Met Gala this year? Drew Barrymore definitely took a cue from this trend when she wore a feather trim Chanel dress at her wedding to Will Kopelman over the weekend. Do you tend to gravitate towards the sleek and sophisticated look a la Gwyneth Paltrow in the already iconic white Tom Ford cape dress from this year’s Oscars? Look no further than Jenny Packham’s 2013 Spring collection to emulate the star’s style.

Caroline Trentini wed photographer Fabio Bartelt in Brazil-Photo from Vogue

My favorite example of putting the perfect bridal spin on a modern trend was at the recent wedding of model Caroline Trentini to photographer Fabio Bartelt in Brazil. Both of her dresses were custom designed by Olivier Theyskens and while the first dress was reminiscent of Kate Middleton’s McQueen royal wedding dress, I was absolutely in love with the mini white leather dress she changed into at her reception. It was edgy and fun—the way that you typically see the Brazilian beauty photographed, and the soft leather look is right on trend this season.  As if the dress was not amazing enough, (can Theyskens please design a contemporary version?), Trentini topped off the look with gold studded Valentino flats—a definite modern take on the old fashion ‘wedding shoe’ and most importantly, shoes that can be worn again and again. The reception outfit change may be a new phenomena, but it certainly is a fabulous second chance to show off your own personal style. Even if you opt for that sweetheart neckline to start,  there is always another chance to show off your inner fashionista to your guests!

Ask Samantha (in our comments section below) your bridal fashion questions, such as what shoe would go best with your dress? Samantha will reply with her fashion advice!