Should You Shop a Trunk Show for Your Wedding Dress?

You’ve devoted countless hours to perusing Pinterest and meticulously crafting your vision of the perfect dress for your significant day. By now, you’re completely captivated by a few designers that seem to share your vision. And while you may be ready to book a bridal appointment, you have another dress-shopping option to consider. 

If you’ve fallen in love with a specific designer, a trunk show presents a golden opportunity to try on their designs straight from the runway, including dresses that aren’t typically available in stores. Not familiar with trunk shows? Here’s what you need to know before booking an appointment. 

What is a trunk show? 

A trunk show is your best opportunity to view an expanded assemblage of bridal gowns from your favorite designers. Retailers don’t carry a designer’s complete collection, so attending a trunk show may be your one and only chance to try on certain styles from your favorite designers.

These special events highlight the newest wedding dresses brought in especially by the designer, oftentimes allowing brides their first chance to try on gowns not yet available in stores. A brand representative — or even the designer —  will be there to speak directly with brides and answer questions. 

Keep in mind, a trunk show is not a sample sale — it’s an exclusive look at the collection. You may, however, have the opportunity to take advantage of limited-time perks. Make sure you contact the retailer to ask for more details. 

Creating your own custom look 

Beyond getting to try on an extensive selection of styles from a designer collection, trunk shows offer brides the unique opportunity to find their dream dress, even if that entails creating a custom look. 

If you find a dress that’s almost perfect but may need a little something extra, a trunk show is the perfect time to talk to the experts about your vision. Is your heart set on combining the bodice from one dress with the skirt from another? With the designer or representative on-site, you can discuss customization options that can make your dream dress a reality. 

From gown customization to finding the perfect matching accessory, the expert stylists on hand can guide you in finding your best look for the big day. 

What about the appointment? 

You don’t just have high hopes for your dress — you’re probably hoping for a memorable bridal appointment with friends, family, and a glass or two of champagne. Don’t worry, beyond exclusive access to dresses, you’ll get the full experience when you make a bridal appointment during a trunk show.

You’ll work with a bridal stylist to select which gowns you’ll want to try on, and your inner circle will get to fawn over their favorites. And while a trunk show offers you the chance to dive into the featured designer’s collection, that doesn’t mean you can’t try on other designers’ dresses. You have plenty of time to look through the other available gowns and try on styles that catch your eye.

Is a trunk show right for you? 

Before you book an appointment during a trunk show, do a bit of research. While trunk shows are excellent opportunities for brides who have their heart set on one designer, you may not be ready to attend a trunk show if you’re in the early stages of exploring designers and silhouettes. 

On the other hand, if a particular designer has populated your Pinterest board, schedule an appointment at their nearest trunk show — these coveted spots often fill up fast. But do a fair amount of research first. While the entire collection will be available to you, there won’t be time to try them all. Instead, come with knowledge about your preferred silhouettes, fabrics, and favorite looks from the collection. Your stylist will help you find the dresses that fit your vision.

At Anne Barge, we love meeting brides from all over the world and seeing them in our dresses at trunk shows. We hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming events. Check out our newest designs, and see them in person at one of our upcoming trunk shows.