If you've been researching wedding dresses or browsing bridal boutique events, you've probably come across the term trunk show. But what exactly is a trunk show, and why might you want to attend one?
At The White Dress by the shore, we love hosting trunk shows because they give our brides the opportunity to explore something a little different from our everyday collection. Whether you've had your eye on a particular designer or simply want to learn more about the experience, here's everything you need to know!
What Is a Bridal Trunk Show?
A trunk show is a special event where a designer sends us an extended selection of gowns from their newest collection for a limited time, often before they've officially arrived in stores!
This gives our brides the exciting opportunity to be among the first to see and try on these brand-new designs. While we carefully curate the gowns we carry from each of our designers, we're not able to purchase every gown in every collection, so trunk shows give our brides access to additional styles that aren't typically available on our racks.
What Makes a Trunk Show Special?
One of the biggest benefits of attending a trunk show is the opportunity to explore more of a designer's collection than you would during a typical bridal appointment. Many trunk shows also include exclusive offers or special incentives for brides who purchase a gown from the featured designer during the event. These offers vary, so we always recommend checking the specific event details.
Occasionally, the designer or a representative from their team will join us in person! This can be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the collection, ask questions, and explore possible customizations to make your gown uniquely yours. When a designer is attending, we'll always specify it in our event details.
How Do Trunk Shows Help Us Choose Our Gowns?
There's another reason we love hosting trunk shows, and it has everything to do with our brides! After more than 20 years in bridal, we've learned that some of our most valuable feedback comes directly from the fitting room. These events allow us to see which gowns our brides gravitate toward, what details they're loving, and what they might be looking for that we don't currently have in our collection.
We take that feedback seriously when making future buying decisions. After all, our goal isn't to have every wedding dress available. It's to thoughtfully curate a collection that reflects the brides who walk through our doors. Trunk shows also give designers the opportunity to hear directly from brides, helping them understand what resonates and potentially inspiring future collections.
Is a Trunk Show Right for Me?
Absolutely! While brides who already have a particular designer or silhouette in mind may find trunk shows especially helpful, you don't need to know exactly what you're looking for to attend. If you're interested in the featured designer, we recommend taking some time to explore their collection before your appointment so you can make the most of the additional gowns available.
And here's something we always want our brides to know: You can still shop our entire in-store collection during a trunk show! Just because we're hosting a special collection doesn't mean you have to be interested in that particular designer to book an appointment. Think of it as an added opportunity to explore even more gowns, not a restriction on what you can try on.
How Do I Attend a Trunk Show?
Our trunk shows are by appointment, just like our regular bridal shopping experiences. Because these events are only available for a limited time, we encourage brides to reserve their appointments early, especially if there's a particular designer or collection they're hoping to see.
Interested in attending a trunk show? Visit our Events Page to see what's coming up and reserve your appointment!
Xo, The White Dress by the shore