What Is a Bridal Trunk Show? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve been looking for your wedding dress, you may have seen bridal boutiques talking about a trunk show and wondered what that actually means.

Despite the name, it doesn’t involve someone arriving with a trunk full of wedding dresses.

A bridal trunk show is a limited-time event that gives brides access to a special selection of gowns that wouldn’t normally be available in the boutique.

Sometimes it means a designer sends us an extended collection of physical samples to try. Sometimes it may be a preview of a new collection. And increasingly, trunk shows can also be virtual, giving us access to gowns, options or designs beyond what is physically hanging in the boutique.

Whichever format it takes, the idea is the same: more choice, for a limited time.

And at Accapella Bridal, we love them.

How Is a Trunk Show Different From a Normal Bridal Appointment?

During a normal appointment at Accapella, you’ll try gowns from the collection we have carefully chosen to keep in the boutique.

No bridal store can carry every gown from every designer, so we select the styles we believe will work beautifully for our brides and offer a good variety of silhouettes, fabrics, fits and aesthetics.

A trunk show gives us the opportunity to temporarily expand that collection.

A designer may send us gowns that we don't ordinarily stock, new-season styles that have only just been released, or pieces we are considering bringing permanently into Accapella.

For a little while, there is simply more to discover.

The dresses may just be visiting Accapella Bridal, so it's a limited time event.

Are All Trunk Shows the Same?

No.

Every designer works a little differently, so one trunk show can look quite different from the next.

Some involve a large collection of physical gowns arriving at the boutique for brides to try.

Others may feature a smaller edit of gowns, new-release styles or dresses that aren't normally available through our permanent collection.

We may also host virtual trunk shows, where we are given special access to a designer's wider collection without every sample physically travelling to the boutique.

Depending on the designer, this may allow us to show you additional gowns, fabrics, colourways or design options and talk through what can be ordered especially for you.

We’ll always explain exactly how each trunk show works when we announce it, so you know what will be available before you book.

Why Do We Host Bridal Trunk Shows?

One of the things we love most about a trunk show is that it gives both our brides and Accapella Bridal the chance to discover something new.

We’re continually looking for gowns that feel interesting, beautifully made and a little different from what brides are seeing everywhere else.

A trunk show allows us to explore a designer or collection more fully without every single gown needing to become part of our permanent range.

It also lets us see what our brides respond to.

Sometimes a visiting gown becomes such a favourite that we decide it deserves a permanent place at Accapella.

Other times, its brief visit is exactly that — brief.

And that is part of the fun.

Can a Dress Really Be Available Only During the Trunk Show?

Yes.

This is one of the most important things to understand about trunk shows.

Sometimes it is only the sample gown that is temporary. The dress may still be available to order after the trunk show finishes, but the sample will have moved on and you may not have another opportunity to try it.

However, with some trunk shows, particular gowns or collections can genuinely be available to order only during the trunk show period.

Designers may open a collection for a limited ordering window, offer preview styles before their general release, or make certain gowns available specifically for the event.

Once that window closes, we may no longer be able to order that dress.

That doesn’t mean you should feel pressured into making a decision. But if you fall in love with a trunk show gown, it is worth asking us exactly how long it will be available so you know your options.

Is a Trunk Show the Same as a Sample Sale?

No — they are quite different.

A trunk show brings additional gowns, collections or ordering opportunities to Accapella for a limited period.

A sample sale is when the actual boutique sample gown is available to purchase, usually at a reduced price.

During a traditional trunk show, the gown you try is generally there as a sample so that you can decide whether you would like us to order a new gown for you.

If a particular trunk show includes anything different, we’ll always make that clear.

What If the Trunk Show Sample Doesn't Fit Me?

Don't be discouraged.

Like the gowns in our permanent collection, trunk show samples only arrive in selected sizes. It simply isn't possible to have every gown available in every size.

The sample not fitting perfectly does not automatically mean the dress isn't right for you.

We can clip, pin and position gowns to help you understand the silhouette and proportions. We can also talk you through how the dress should sit when ordered in the appropriate size and what can be achieved through alterations.

Sometimes wedding dress shopping requires a little imagination — especially when the gown you love isn't hanging on the rack in exactly your size.

That is very normal.

Should I Book a Trunk Show If I Don't Know What Style I Want?

Absolutely.

You don't need to arrive at Accapella knowing your exact silhouette, fabric, neckline and bridal aesthetic.

In fact, trunk shows are a wonderful opportunity to try something you might not normally have considered.

A different neckline, a stronger bodice, a fuller skirt, a fabric you hadn't thought about or a completely different silhouette can be surprisingly beautiful once it is actually on your body.

Wedding dresses can be very difficult to judge from a photograph.

Sometimes the gown you nearly walk past becomes the one you don't want to take off.

Why We Love Trunk Shows at Accapella

We want the collection at Accapella Bridal to keep evolving.

Trunk shows allow us to introduce new designers, explore different collections and give our brides access to gowns they may not otherwise have the opportunity to see or order locally.

They also allow us to offer something beyond the permanent gowns hanging on our racks.

For a few days or a few weeks, the boutique changes.

New dresses arrive. New possibilities appear. And sometimes, a bride discovers her wedding dress simply because it happened to be visiting Accapella at exactly the right time.

Keep an Eye Out for Our Next Trunk Show

We’ll announce upcoming trunk shows on our website and social media, including the dates, designer and details of what will be available.

Because every event is different, some may involve physical gowns in the boutique, while others may include virtual access or limited ordering opportunities.

And because certain gowns may only be available for the duration of the event, it is always worth booking early if a particular designer or collection has caught your eye.

You never quite know what might be coming to Accapella next.

And that is exactly why we love a trunk show.