This post was updated on January 16, 2023.

“Bridal trunk show” is an all too familiar phrase for those of us in the bridal industry. But as a newly-engaged bride, you might already feel overwhelmed with the wedding planning. Let alone needing to learn all the new lingo that now surrounds you as you start your wedding dress search.  Don’t worry though! We’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll help you understand what a bridal trunk show is and how they work. Plus, we’ll tell you what you can expect when you make an appointment during one.

What is a bridal trunk show?

A bridal trunk show is a limited-time event when a bridal boutique hosts a curated selection of styles from a bridal designer.

The featured designer might be a designer they already carry or a new designer they want to test out.  Whether it’s an existing designer or a new one, trunk shows are a chance to see and try on styles that are not usually available at the boutique! And once it’s over, the styles that are not permanently stocked at that boutique are gone.

How do trunk shows work?

All trunk shows have a start and end date. How long a trunk show lasts varies by designer. So, it might be as short as a weekend and as long as several weeks! There are instances when a trunk show can be extended, but that’s not always a guarantee. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to check the dates on the designer’s and/or the boutique’s website and schedule an appointment.

Also, since trunk shows are for a limited time, make sure to book your appointment asap! The limited dates mean that there are limited appointment times. So, you don’t want to wait too long and risk not being able to get in to try the styles you want to try on before they leave.

At the end of a trunk show, the styles get packed up and sent along to the next bridal boutique. Most designers list the trunk show schedule on their website so that you can see what city/boutique the show is headed to and when it’ll be there.

What can you expect during a trunk show?

​At an Edith Élan trunk show, we send along the newest collection plus a handful of favorites from collections past. If a store or bride requests styles that aren’t on the trunk show list, we will do our best to accommodate the request!

In general, however, the appointment experience during a trunk show shouldn’t be any different than the appointment experience outside the trunk show dates. What will be different is that you have access to try on styles that may not be permanently stocked year-round.

Oftentimes, the hosting boutique will also have an incentive or special offer that applies when you say “yes” to a style from the featured designer. It might be a discount on the style, a free veil/accessory, a gift with purchase, or something else. But once the trunk show ends, that special offer or incentive is no longer valid. Not sure if your local boutique has an incentive or special offer? Reach out to them and ask!

What happens if you say “yes” during a trunk show?

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉 🥂 No matter where you buy it or which designer it’s by, saying “yes” to the bridal style that speaks to you is an exciting moment!

In our case, after you say “yes,” the boutique will submit your order. Once we receive the order (including any customizations), we get it queued up in our production schedule. If it’s a rush order, it’ll get bumped to the top. But normally you can expect it to take at least 4 months for your bridal style to come in.

If you aren’t ready to purchase your dress during a trunk show, that’s 100% okay. Don’t feel pressured to say “yes” if you aren’t ready. Shopping doesn’t need to be stressful!

Where can I try on Edith Élan styles?

To see the current lineup of trunk shows head to our Find Us page and scroll down till you see “Trunk Shows + Events.” If there isn’t a show close by, contact us. We’ll do the legwork to bring Edith Élan bridal styles to you. Otherwise, please get in touch with the bridal shops directly to book an appointment and to confirm if your favorite styles are in the store.

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