Our guest blogger Kacey Bradley shares the 7 Must Visit Trunk Shows throughout the U.S.!
If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding, then chances are you have a packed to-do list. However, none of the items on the list matter quite as much as the first one: finding the perfect dress. If you don’t feel like a stunner when you put on your wedding gown, then none of the other details of your day will really matter.
If you want to have access to a huge array of dresses at your fingertips, more than you typically would in any given bridal shop, consider attending a trunk show. Trunk shows are special events in which designers come to the store and showcase their entire new line of gowns. Occasionally, they’ll also offer a discount, but trunk shows are more about getting early access to new looks and having a larger variety of options. Here are seven upcoming trunk shows worth traveling for.
Berta Trunk Shows, Philadelphia — Oct. 26-28
If you’d describe your style as chic, contemporary and just a little bit sexy, then you’ll love the streamlined ball gowns and curve-hugging bridal dresses from Berta. You can try on all of them when Berta comes to Philadelphia for a trunk show this October. While you’re in the city, visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell for a dose of national history.
BrideCon, Anaheim, CA — Sept. 23
BrideCon isn’t your average trunk show because it features more than one designer — in fact, hundreds of them. Instead of trying on the dresses yourself, BrideCon showcases the latest trends in a fashion show. This allows you to get a glimpse of what’s popular and then snatch up dresses online or in stores before anyone else knows they even exist. It’ll be in Anaheim in a few weeks, so after the show, hit up Disneyland for some rides and memory-making.
Allure Bridals, Thousand Oaks, CA — Sept. 28-30
Allure Bridals offers lines that run the gamut from simple and traditional to lavish and modern, so anyone should be able to find a gown from the collection that suits their tastes. It hosts trunk shows all over the country, but it’s holding one in Thousand Oaks at Bella Bridal Couture this autumn you don’t want to miss. After all, once you find your dress, you can work on your wedding body by hiking the nearby trails that celebrities often frequent.
Ashley & Justin Bride, New York City — Various Dates
New York City plays host to some of the most iconic bridal salons in the nation — think Kleinfeld Bridal, which boasts its own TV show. So it only makes sense that you would travel here for a trunk show. After you check out the sleek and stunning bridal gowns from Ashley & Justin Bride, head to Central Park, see a Broadway show, or check out Times Square. Upcoming trunk show dates fall in November, December and January.
Dallas Bridal Show, Dallas — Jan. 26-27
The Dallas Bridal Show is another unconventional trunk show that takes an expo-style approach to wedding planning. Its featured designers will host fashion shows both days of the expo, giving you ample opportunities to figure out the style you like, and you can also chat with other vendors, like photographers and DJs. Afterward, enjoy a taste of Texan life by heading to Klyde Warren Park or the Dallas Museum of Art.
Long Island Bridal Expo, Long Island, NY — Various Dates
The Long Island Bridal Expo plays host to wedding dress designers from David’s Bridal and Village Bridal & Boutique, and their bridal experts will be on-hand at the expo to help you track down your dream dress. Then you can enjoy the food and culture of Long Island or hop a boat and explore Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
12th Wedding Show for the Modern Bride, Los Angeles — Nov. 18
If you love all things luxe, don’t deprive yourself of the chance to visit a city known for its decadence and check out an over-the-top trunk show at the same time. The 12th Wedding Show for the Modern Bride unfolds at the illustrious Beverly Hills Hilton this November with a roundup of dresses and designers that embrace all ethnicities and cultures with their couture designs. After the show, check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame or tour a movie studio.
As a soon-to-be bride, you already know wedding planning can be stressful. When you scour trunk shows and bridal expos for the perfect gown, you can rest easy knowing you won’t see another bride wearing the same dress — after all, the designer has only made it available to a select few. If you fold a vacation into the trunk show experience, you can also decompress before the big day. So choose one of these trunk shows, find your dream dress and enjoy some down time before tying the knot.