What Are Wedding Dress Trunk Shows?
A trunk show is the American way of saying a Designer Weekend – confusing – huh? Here, I am going to explain to you what they are, how they work and how to make the most from a Trunk Show appointment. They're an event you won't want to miss as it's a great way of finding something pretty unique and exclusive!
Trunk Shows (Designer Weekends)
What Are Trunk Shows?
A wedding dress trunk show or a bridal trunk show is where a wedding dress designer sends all of their new collection to a bridal boutique for a short period of time, usually a weekend. The bridal boutique often stocks that designer prior to the trunk show event but it’s impossible for boutiques to stock all the dresses from one collection as it would simply be too many! A Trunk Show means extra choice!
These events are always by appointment only. It’s a great opportunity to see more dresses from a designer you like and there are fabulous offers and promotions on the dresses!
When And Where Are They Held?
Trunk Shows often happen every year and take place at the boutique. Trunk Shows are planned well in advance, so you can see a list of dates and designers on both the designer’s websites and of course on the boutique’s website. Mine can be seen below.
Trunk Shows At Elaine Rawlings Bridal Boutique
These weekends are usually extremely popular so book early to avoid disappointment.
How Is This Different To A ‘Normal’ Appointment?
Most bridal boutiques have a selection of gowns from a select group of designers. Trunk Shows give you the opportunity to try on a wide range of dresses from one specific designer that would not normally be for sale at the boutique. If you’re a fan of a certain designer, this is a great way to try on all your favourite styles. All the ‘normal’ dresses will still be in the boutique but at these appointments we mainly focus on selecting dresses from the designer’s Trunk Show Collection.
What Are The Benefits To Me?
You will have far more choice than is normally available in the boutique! You will have a sneak peek at the designer’s new collection which has usually come straight off the runway and is not stocked at boutiques yet. The best bit is these weekends are often accompanied by great offers and promotions!
What’s The Difference Between A Trunk Show & A Sample Sale?
A Sample Sale is when dresses that are used as samples in the boutique are sold off usually because they have been discontinued by the designer to make way for new styles. These dresses are called samples because they’re the ones brides try on in store before a new version of that dress is ordered specifically for that bride and her measurements.
A Trunk Show is NOT a sale – this a brand new collection of dresses (often for the upcoming season). The dresses at a Sample Sale can often be taken away on the day with no need to return to the boutique but a dress purchased at a Trunk Show will be brand new and ordered directly with the designer to your requirements and measurements.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
With love
Elaine x
