You come across an ad that says “Fiore Couture Trunk Show this weekend.” What does it mean? Basically, a trunk show heightens the experience of selecting your bridal gown. Many designers have offered this option to salons in order to show more of their dresses on any given weekend, for that time only. Often times, it’s a sneak peak of what will be shipped for the upcoming season, an exclusive “preview”. You get to view and order from the designer’s brand new collection before it even hits the stores.

When a bridal salon carries a designer, it is not likely that they carry every style they offer. A trunk show is an opportunity for the salon to offer you an extended inventory from a particular designer for that short time period. An added bonus is usually a discount on these gowns that is offered exclusively during the dates of the trunk show. Since some designers prohibit discounting, waiting to purchase a gown during a trunk show might be worth the wait.

A trunk show might even offer the designer in person. When the designers make a special appearance at a trunk show, they share their knowledge and answer questions about anything; from their inspiration, why they chose a certain fabric, to what might be the best fit for you. While the bridal consultants should be skilled in this area, it is an added bonus to hear this right from the top, from the person that carefully designed each stitch of the most important piece of clothing you will ever wear.