What Is a Bridal Trunk Show? Your Guide to Lovely Bride Events
Everything to know about Lovely's trunk shows, sample sales, and designer sales events, and how to make the most of each one.
There's always something exciting happening at Lovely Bride, and trunk shows are one of our favorites! So, what is a bridal trunk show? It's an event where one featured designer sends a hand-picked selection of wedding dresses to your Lovely shop for a short window, so you can try on lots of that designer's styles in one visit.
From trunk shows featuring your favorite designers to sample sales and special sales events, our shops host a variety of events that make finding your wedding dress even more special. Whether you're hoping to discover a new collection, find a beautiful gown to take home right away, or shop a favorite designer with a little something extra, there's an event worth adding to your calendar.
Lovely Bride hosts 3 types of events, each offering a different way to find the one. Here's the good news: there's no wrong place to start. Every Lovely event comes with a stylist by your side (and a fitting room full of options), and any one of them can end with your yes moment.
Lovely's 3 event types at a glance:
- Lovely Bride shops host 3 event types: trunk shows, sample sales, and sales events, and a Lovely stylist guides you at each one.
- A bridal trunk show brings a hand-picked selection from one featured designer to your shop for a short window, and your gown is made-to-order.
- A bridal sample sale offers shop sample and off-the-rack wedding dresses that can go home with you right away.
- A bridal sales event features one designer and gives you 10% off your purchase from that designer during the event.
- Book ahead for trunk shows and sales events, ask your shop how its sample sale runs, and bring a wishlist of 5 – 10 styles to any of them.
What is a bridal trunk show at Lovely Bride?
A bridal trunk show is a Lovely Bride event where one featured designer sends a hand-picked selection of wedding dresses to your shop for a short window. You book an appointment during those days and try on that designer's styles in person, with your Lovely stylist pulling gowns for you.
Here's what it looks like from our side of the fitting room. Every Lovely Bride shop carries its own selection from independent bridal designers, and during a trunk show one designer's collection takes over the racks. You might see new arrivals, extra colorways, and styles your shop doesn't keep year-round, all in one visit.
The name goes back to designers traveling from shop to shop with their gowns packed in trunks. Today a trunk show gown is made-to-order after your stylist takes your measurements. Perfect for brides who already have a favorite designer, or who want to see a new collection in person before anyone else.
What to know about Lovely Bride sample sales
A bridal sample sale is a Lovely Bride event where a shop sells its sample wedding dresses, the gowns brides try on in the fitting room, along with off-the-rack styles. Sample sale dresses can go home with you right away.
An off-the-rack dress is ready to wear, with nothing to order. Since the shop already has the dress in hand, there's no production wait between your yes and taking it home.
Every Lovely shop has its own selection, so the styles and sizes at each sample sale are a little different. Getting married sooner? A sample sale is a happy place to start.
What to know about Lovely Bride sales events
A bridal sales event at Lovely Bride features one designer for a short window, and you receive 10% off your purchase from that featured designer during the event. Your gown is made-to-order in your measurements, just like any Lovely order.
Think of a sales event as the sweet spot for a wishlist full of one designer. Depending on the event, you'll shop a hand-picked collection the designer sends in or that designer's gowns already in your shop.
Each Lovely shop plans its own sales events, so the featured designer changes from shop to shop. Ask your nearest Lovely Bride which designer is up next.
What's the difference between a trunk show, a sample sale, and a sales event?
| Bridal trunk show | Bridal sample sale | Bridal sales event | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Shop a curated selection of styles from a featured designer, available at Lovely for a limited time | Shop sample and off-the-rack wedding dresses from the designers your shop carries | One featured designer, with 10% off your purchase from that designer |
| How long it's in the shop | A short window | A special event at your shop | A short window |
| How you buy | Made-to-order after your measurements | Take your dress home the same day | Made-to-order after your measurements |
| Booking | Book an appointment ahead | Ask your shop how it runs | Book an appointment ahead |
| The perk | Shop a curated selection of styles from a featured designer, available at Lovely for a limited time | Take your discounted dress home with you on the same day. | 10% off your purchase from the featured designer |
| Perfect for | Brides who love a designer or want to see a new collection in person | Brides getting married sooner or who'd love their dress right away | Brides whose wishlist is full of the featured designer |
Finding the Lovely Bride event that's right for you
Every Lovely Bride event offers something a little different, so the best one for you depends on what you're hoping to find. Have a designer you've been dreaming about? A trunk show is a wonderful opportunity to explore more of their collection and discover styles you might not have seen otherwise.
Love the idea of finding your dress and taking it home that day? A sample sale might be just what you're looking for. Already have your eye on a particular designer? A sales event gives you the opportunity to shop their gowns with 10% off your purchase during the event.
And remember, you don't have to choose just one! Each event is another opportunity to explore, try something new, and get closer to finding your dress.
How to attend a Lovely Bride event
For a bridal trunk show or sales event, book an appointment ahead so your stylist has time set aside for you and your favorites waiting in the fitting room. For a sample sale, ask your nearest Lovely Bride how that shop runs its event.
You can book an appointment online at lovelybride.com, choosing a Lovely Bridal Gown Appointment for a more intimate group experience or a Lovelier Bridal Gown Appointment if you're bringing a larger group or would like more time, space, and privacy.
Once you're booked, the Lovely Bride Guide walks you through what to expect before, during, and after your visit.
How to prepare for your next Lovely Bride event
The best prep for any of Lovely's 3 events is a wishlist, a quick chat with your stylist, and the right people by your side. Our guide on how to prepare for your bridal appointment has even more tips.
- Book your appointment as soon as your shop shares the event dates, so you get a day and time that suit you.
- Browse the featured designer on our DRESSES page, where every dress shows pricing, and "heart" your favorite 5 – 10 styles to your wishlist in your Lovely portal.
- Share your vision, style, and priorities in your pre-appointment consult, so your stylist can pull your wishlist plus a few surprises.
- Call up your I Do Crew and invite the people who make you feel most like yourself.
- Pack the essentials from your Lovely Bride Guide, including the undergarments you'd wear on the day.
- Ask your shop which styles and sizes are part of the event, since every Lovely event runs a little differently.
What happens if you find the one at a Lovely event?
At a trunk show or a sales event, your Lovely stylist takes your measurements and places your order, and the designer makes your gown to order. At a sample sale, your dress can go home with you right away.
Want to know the best part? Your stylist can help you finish your whole look while you're there, with veils, sleeves, toppers, and jewelry. Getting married sooner? Rush options vary, so ask your shop.
There's no "right" reaction to finding the one. Your yes moment should feel like you.
Where to find upcoming Lovely Bride events
Check with your nearest Lovely Bride shop and follow Lovely on Instagram, where shops share their upcoming trunk shows, sample sales, and sales events. Each of the 19 Lovely Bride shops plans its own calendar, so dates and designers change from location to location.
Start by choosing your shop on our find your nearest shop page. Then follow along on Instagram and TikTok so you hear the moment a designer you love is coming to town.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bridal trunk show?
A bridal trunk show is an event where one featured designer sends a hand-picked selection of wedding dresses to a bridal shop for a short window. You book an appointment and try on lots of that designer's styles in one visit.
What is a bridal sample sale?
A bridal sample sale is an event where a bridal shop sells its sample and off-the-rack wedding dresses. At Lovely Bride, sample sale dresses can go home with you right away. Ask your nearest Lovely Bride shop which styles and sizes are part of the sale.
What is a bridal sales event?
A bridal sales event at Lovely Bride features one designer, and you receive 10% off your purchase from that featured designer during the event. Your gown is made-to-order after your measurements. Ask your nearest Lovely Bride shop when its next sales event is and which designer it features.
What is the difference between a trunk show, a sample sale, and a sales event?
A bridal trunk show brings one designer's hand-picked collection to the shop for made-to-order gowns, a sample sale offers dresses you can take home the same day, and a sales event gives you 10% off one featured designer.
Do I need an appointment for a trunk show, sample sale, or sales event?
Most Lovely Bride events are best enjoyed with an appointment, so your stylist can give you the time and attention you deserve. Appointment requirements may vary for sample sales, so check with your local shop before attending.
Can I buy a dress the same day at a Lovely event?
You can order your wedding dress the same day at a trunk show or a sales event, and your Lovely stylist takes your measurements and places the order. Those gowns are made-to-order, so they don't go home with you that day. A sample sale dress can go home with you right away.
Ready to find the one?
Trunk show, sample sale, or sales event, every Lovely event is a happy excuse to try on wedding dresses with a stylist who's cheering you on. Browse every gown with transparent pricing on our DRESSES page, heart your favorites into your wishlist, and book an appointment at your nearest Lovely Bride. Then follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest so you can catch the next event IRL. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
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