How To Shop A Bridal Designer Trunk Show

Photography by Chris Nicholls. Dress and veil by Oscar de la Renta from White Toronto. First published in Weddingbells' Fall & Winter 2013 issue.

As you’ve been on the hunt for your wedding dress you’ve likely come across several retailers offering designer trunk shows. These are typically weekend events (Friday through Sunday are the days most bridal trunk shows run) where a specific designer collection is showcased and promoted by a retailer giving you the chance to get up close and personal with the dresses, the designer or a representative from the company who is a bridal fashion specialist.

We recently attended Engage!14 in the Cayman Islands and gleaned some tips for shopping a bridal trunk show from Tara Maietta, global bridal sales director for Oscar de la Renta. “A trunk show is an opportunity to see a designer’s most recent bridal collection before it is available in market,” Maietta shares. “These dresses are the newest of the new, and are designs that the retailer does not yet have in stock—think of it as a special designer preview.”

Maietta says a bridal trunk show will feature an extensive collection of gowns by a designer and can be more than a little overwhelming if you are not prepared when you head into the shopping experience. Here are her three essential tips for successfully navigating a bridal trunk show.

Do your research. “Look at the designer’s collections and figure out what you love about them. Come prepared with an idea of specific dress styles and designs. It’s so important to pre-shop a designer before you commit to booking a trunk show appointment.”

Bring your decision maker with you. “Trunk shows are typically very busy events so there isn’t room for you to bring a lot of people with you to your appointment. Bring your number one confidante with you to your appointment who will provide you with honest feedback.”

Prepare to commit. Trunk shows typically offer special event pricing and incentives. Often times the designer or company representative will be able to make custom changes to gowns that would not be available at another time. Gifts with purchase can include a veil, shoes or another amazing bridal accessory. All of these offers are only available during that trunk show weekend so you have to be ready to make a decision.”