Real Bride
Karly’s Corner - What is a Trunk Show?
What to bring, what to expect, what it’s all about!
WHAT IS A TRUNK SHOW?
Karly: "Very simply put, a trunk show is an event that a store will host, where the bridal designer will send us additional dresses that we do not normally have in store. Usually these dresses are from the most current collection that they have just most recently come out with. And then, it’s an opportunity for a bride to be able to try on, fall in love with, and purchase a wedding dress that the store doesn’t normally have. A lot of the times, for the trunk shows, the designer will actually send in a representative to be there in store to help facilitate with questions, customizations, anything you need. They may actually have somebody from the line there to kind of help out -- which is also a really nice touch, if you are somebody that knows that you want to make some tweaks to a dress, to have somebody in-store, in-house, that can answer all those questions for you instantaneously!
One big note about trunk shows: These dresses are not available to purchase off the rack. This is not a first come, first served type of situation. So, if you come on a Friday, you’re going to see the same exact dresses that are there on Sunday. That is a big misconception that we hear. People ask, 'If I come on Sunday, is everything going to be gone?' You’re not buying it off the rack; it is just like a regular bridal appointment in the sense that you are going to put it on, if you fall in love, and that’s it, we’ll take your measurements, we’ll check the size chart, figure out what size is best for you, and order you your own brand-new dress. So, you do not need to worry about things going away over the course of the trunk show. Everything will be there, from start to finish!"
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HOW SHOULD I PREPARE BEFORE GOING TO A TRUNK SHOW?
Karly: "So now you know what a trunk show is. Here’s my advice for the rest. Number 1 being: do your research before a trunk show. A lot of the time, people hear the phrase 'trunk show' and they’re like, 'I want to go!' but they don’t know what it entails, or what it means, or what it’s all about. So the best thing you can do for yourself is to make sure you’re attending trunk shows for designers that you’re really interested in. You know? Because if you’re not interested in the designer, and then you get there and it’s just not your style, then…it’s totally fine, you can absolutely try other dresses but, kind of defeats the purpose of attending a trunk show. So, do your leg work, find some designers that you’re really interested in, that you’re really drawn to, and then check their website, check the website of the bridal store that carries the line. They both should have lists of when their trunk show events will be, so you can figure out the best time to go in, and check out those dresses that you are definitely interested in.
On that note too, say you do go to a trunk show, and you get there and you realize you’re not really vibing on anything -- absolutely yes yes yes, you can still try on other dresses. That’s a big question we usually get. 'Do I only have to try the trunk show dresses?' No, you can try anything in store during the trunk show, but obviously, the trunk show is there [for a limited time] so if you can make sure to kind of hone in on that, that’s the best."
Photo: Sincerly Media
Karly: "Big tip here, most important tip actually, I think, for trunk showing. The number 1 tip: While following all the designated safety guidelines and store protocol, bring everybody that you need to say yes to the dress if you find it -- or make sure they are available virtually to share in the experience with you! The trunk show is only here for a limited amount of time.
You don’t know how many times I’ve had people come in, not really realizing how all this works, and then they find a trunk show dress they love, and they’re like, 'Oh my gosh, my mom will be in town next Tuesday, can I bring her in?' And then I’m like, 'I’m so sorry, the dresses will not be here.' So make sure you are bringing anybody and everybody that you need to say yes to the dress to the trunk show appointment so they can see it in person or onscreen. You can have your magic moment. If people aren’t in town, or unavailable, or guests at your appointment are limited, make sure FaceTime is an option, Zoom, whatever works for you. But make sure you have those people on deck for you, in case you find it! It’s very exciting to find your dress at a trunk show."
Photo: Major Tom Agency
