You’ve heard about bridal gown trunk shows but what does that even mean? Are there trunks? Are the gowns shown? Do you get to try them on? Do you really need an appointment? What makes them so great for bridal gown shopping?
At a trunk show, you’ll get access to exclusive designer gowns, personalized consultations, and maybe even some perks like discounts or champagne—what’s not to love? Before sharing all the details, here are a few quick tips to make the most of your trunk show experience.
What Is a Trunk Show?
A wedding dress trunk show is a bridal shop event in which the newest dresses from a bridal designer will be temporarily available for customers to try. Typically bridal gown trunk shows last for a weekend, but sometimes they run for the span of one or two weeks.
Generally, every designer will send their new season of gowns on a tour to visit retailers—these visits are called trunk shows. Sometimes, trunk shows also feature a selection of gowns from previous seasons, and some events may even include accessories.
Why Do Bridal Shops Have Trunk Shows?
To stock their shops with delectable frocks, boutique owners choose which dresses they’d like to have in store for their specific brides. As such, most bridal boutiques don’t carry the entire collection of Lea-Ann Belter, Astrid & Mercedes, or any one designer’s gowns.
A wedding dress trunk show offers a store an opportunity to showcase an entirely new collection to customers. In addition to providing brides with even more choices, trunk shows enable stores to work with all the new gowns. Sometimes a dress they hadn’t chosen for their shop is one their customers love, so they order a sample to keep it in store.
Bridal Trunk Show Tips
What Makes a Trunk Show Special?
Think of a trunk show as an in-store pop-up shop. Whatever comes in for the trunk show is available for a short period—usually just one weekend. After that, they’re boxed up and shipped off to the next store.
Because it takes time to fill retailers’ sample style orders, trunk shows are perfect for women who fall for just-unveiled collections. In the case of our couture Lea-Ann Belter gowns and the modern wedding dresses of our Astrid & Mercedes line, each dress is made by hand in our Toronto bridal workshop. That ball gown you saw walking the runway on Instagram? It takes months to reach shops. If you spot a dress during Bridal Week that makes your heart flutter, your chance to try it on (without a wait) is during a trunk show.
what happens at a bridal trunk show?
Sometimes the designer or a representative will arrive with the dresses to work with brides, which always makes things super exciting. When our designer, or Karen, our rep joins our trunk shows, all kinds of customization magic happens—brides may even receive a sketch of their unique gown. Boutiques also generally offer incentives (such as 10% off) to purchase a gown during a trunk show event.
Appointments during a trunk show are typically managed the same as they usually are—brides work one-on-one with a boutique’s stylist to find just the right timeless wedding dress. Unless, of course, the designer or a rep is present, in which case the experience becomes even more special.
To add to the awesome, boutiques are known to offer champagne, snacks, goodie bags, or even invite some favorite wedding vendors. In other words, get ready for a seriously fun time!
Are trunk shows cheaper?
Very often, yes. For the duration of the trunk show, many boutiques offer a one-time discount. Usually, this is around 10% off, but sometimes a bridal shop will offer a free veil or another incentive. The purpose of this is twofold.
The presence of trunk show gowns is temporary, so if a bride falls for a trunk show style, it likely won’t be available to try a week later. Choosing a wedding dress is very much an emotional decision, and sometimes that causes brides to feel they should shop as much as possible. While this can be helpful if you have yet to find a gown you like, if you do find The Dress, worry that there is something else out there should not hinder your yes! A trunk show discount is intended to help you make your decision. It is also there to help stores. Having to tell a bride that the gown she liked is no longer available when she calls two weeks later is disappointing for her and the store.
Find a Bridal Gown Trunk Show Near You
Your perfect gown is waiting! Find a trunk show near you and book your appointment. Don’t miss the chance to fall in love with exclusive styles and enjoy a unique shopping experience.
