a&bé Bridal Shop: Top 5 Trunk Show Tips

december 2016

Everything you need to know about attending a trunk show — and why you DO NOT want to miss out!

If you're like most bride-to-be's, you've probably started planning your wedding dress shopping process with a pinterest board of inspiration, read up on blogs (including our bridal blog) of how and where to find your dream gown, and meticulously researched which designers and shops best fit your vision for your big day. In all of this prep work, you've most likely come across information about special events known as trunk shows. But what does that exactly mean, and why should it matter to you? Quite simply, a trunk show is an event that features a specific designer's collection of dresses for a short period of time. Each trunk show is completely different, though, and it can be tricky to navigate which events Here's a list of my tips, tricks and best ways to become a savvy trunk show shopper and score the latest, greatest, and most unique gown for your wedding.

TIP #1: Know your style.

If you've already been shopping or have an idea of what you are looking for, be sure to find the perfect event for your vision. It can be easy to get lured into the hype of a 'special event' (especially if there is an advertised discount), but if you're not interested in the style of the trunk show, or if the designer is out of your price range, attending a trunk show can add unnecessary pressure for you to say 'yes' to the wrong dress and can also add confusion and frustration to your gown shopping process.

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TIP #2: Research the details of the trunk show.

Every trunk show is different, so before you book an appointment, chat with a stylist about what the event will entail.  Sometimes a trunk show will feature the newest collection of dresses not yet in stores, and other times it may be the designer's favorite dresses from previous collections that the boutique doesn't normally carry. If you have your heart set on a specific design, make sure you ask the boutique well in advance if it will be available - sometimes they can even make a special request on your behalf! Also, not every trunk show offers a discount, so be sure to find out whether or not the event you are looking at will be offering a discount so you can come prepared with all of the information you would need to know before purchasing your dress.

TIP #3: Take full advantage of your appointment.

Trunk show dresses are available for one weekend only, so explore the entire collection and try things on you wouldn't normally try! Sometimes the designer will even attend the event and work with you one-on-one to find the perfect dress. Also, purchasing a trunk show dress often means you found a gown that isn't normally available in your area, which ensures that your guests will be completely wowed by your incredibly unique gown!

TIP #4: Book your appointment early.

Trunk show weekends still require you to book an appointment, and trunk shows often book up weeks in advance. You can see a list of events on a&bé's website, and can even book online for your convenience. The events page offers lots of helpful information including if the designer will be attending, if there will be a discount, and the price range of the collection. If you still have questions about whether or not a specific trunk show would be a good fit for you, call your local a&bé and let our expert stylists match you with the perfect event for your style and budget.

TIP #5: Come ready to find your gown.

The blessing and the curse of a trunk show is that the dresses (and potential discount!) are only available for a limited time, so if you've fallen in love with a gown, it won't be available for you to try on after the event ends. If you've gone through the effort of researching your dream designer, snagged a coveted trunk show appointment and attended the event where you were able to see a large selection of insanely unique and gorgeous gowns, then you can feel confident that it is finally the perfect time to say yes to the dress! Brides regularly tell us that finding their dress during a trunk show made their experience all the more special! How many people can say that they met the designer of their dress, or wore a gown before any other brides in the country even saw it in stores??? Finding your dress at a trunk show is the perfect way to ensure that your dress shopping experience is one to remember.

At a&bé bridal shop, we love the opportunity to host trunk shows that connect our brides with talented artisans and completely unique designs. We are constantly updating our calendar with new events, and occasionally, we will even bring in guest designers that aren't currently available in your area! Check out your local events page to see a complete list of events in your area, or give us a call at the shop and allow our team of stylists to match you with the perfect event!  

See you at the next trunk show!

Xoxo,

your aandbabes