Events
A Designer Weekend, sometimes known by its American name, a 'Trunk Show', is an event where a boutique will preview a selection of the latest gowns from a designer. This will usually take place over a weekend, hence the name, Designer Weekend.
It's a great idea to shop for your wedding gown at one of these special events as the collection will preview a variety of styles that the boutique doesn't usually stock. Boutiques tend to know what sells well locally and will pick similar gowns at similar price points to stock in-store, therefore at a trunk show you might pick up something more unique or something you wouldn't have usually got to see. With the focus on one designer you will be able to get to know their quality and style in-depth, pick up catalogues, view their matching accessories and maybe even benefit from a discount.
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event29th - 30th SeptemberThe Wedding Wardrobe4 KENNINGTON ROAD, LONDON, SE17BLTel: 0207 928 8809Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event30th September - 1st OctoberASHLEIGH RICHARDS BRIDAL4 CEMETERY WALK, EASTWOOD, NOTTINGHAM, NG163TUTel: 07305 552 548Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event7th - 8th OctoberAll About Eve Bridal7 CLYTHA PARK ROAD, NEWPORT, GWENT, NP204NZTel: 01633 243943Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event14th - 15th OctoberWife to Be3-5 FENNEL STREET, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE, WA12PATel: 01925 570 093Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event21st - 22nd OctoberIVY ROSE BRIDAL54 CASTLE STREET, DOVER, CT161PJTel: 07880 731 820Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event28th - 29th OctoberTimeless Elegance Bridal1ST FLOOR ST JOHN CHAMBERS, HIGH STREET ARCADE, CARDIFF, CF101BDTel: 02920 229915Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event4th - 5th NovemberCONFETTI & LACE LTD529 BROMPTON WALK, LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTRE, WEST THURROCK, ESSEXTel: 01708 890353Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event4th - 5th NovemberTickled Pink2-4 MANOR ROAD, HATFIELD, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, DN76SBTel: 01302 842 234Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event11th - 12th NovemberIvory and Lace Bridal BoutiqueMILTON BARN, HERNE MANOR FARM, PARK ROAD TODDINGTON, BEDFORDSHIRE, LU56HHTel: 01525 838141Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event11th - 12th NovemberThe Dressing Room Bridal24 MANOR LANE, HALESOWEN, WEST MIDLANDS, B628PYTel: 0121 423 2777Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event18th - 19th NovemberAURORA BRIDE460 LONDON ROAD, CHEAM, SUTTON, SURREY, SM38JBTel: 0208 641 6041Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event25th - 26th NovemberDEBORAH JANE BRIDAL171 EUSTON ROAD, MORECAMBE, LANCASHIRE, LA45LQTel: 01524 411 042Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event27th - 28th JanuaryGRACIE BLEU BRIDAL LTD22 MATLOCK GREEN, MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE, DE43BTTel: 01629 580011Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event3rd - 4th FebruaryBRIDES DREAM35-37 COUTTS ROAD, WALKERGATE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE64RBTel: 0191 224 0644Attend
You’ve spent hours on Pinterest researching wedding gowns and have fallen in love with a certain designer. Want to be the first to see their latest collection, even before it hits stores? You need to visit a trunk show!
What is a trunk show?
Back in the times of the travelling salesmen, designers would literally take a trunk of clothes to a shop and leave it with them for a few days, then collect the trunk and move onto the next shop. Today, bridal trunk shows, or the more British term “Designer Weekend” are based on this concept of a store exclusively borrowing a collection of dresses for their customers to come and have a look and try on the latest gowns. These usually take place as the name would suggest, over a weekend. Focusing on just one designer each weekend gives brides to be the option to really find out more about the chosen designer and they can see the quality, fit, different materials used and get to know signature style of the designer. These exclusive events usually happen just once in each town, and once in each shop, so you won’t want to miss out! Retailers really do make these into lovely events and may have promotions, prosecco, nibbles and special people in store to chat to about your dress such as the seamstress or even the designer themselves!
When a designer releases their new collection, retailers order the dresses they would like to stock in their boutiques. These dresses then take time to be made and, in the meantime, holding a trunk show means they can borrow a collection of dresses, fresh of the catwalk, to showcase to brides-to-be before they are in the shops. If you’re a fashion-conscious trend-setter you will want to be wearing the latest designs before anyone else, so getting to a trunk show would be ideal for you!
Why shop at a trunk show?
Bridal boutiques will usually only stock dresses from a handful of designers, and only certain styles from each collection – determined by the boutique owners’ experience and knowledge of what sells well locally and what suits their customers taste and price point. Shopping during a trunk show means that as well as seeing all the dresses the boutique currently stocks, you will also get to see the very latest designs from the designer you love and things that the boutique might not usually stock... perhaps dresses which are a bit more unique or daring! Most boutiques offer a discount for ordering your dress during a trunk show too!
It’s incredibly important to know your budget before you start visit a trunk show – don’t forget to factor in extras such as alterations and accessories like your veil, accessories and shoes. You need to know how much you can spend and be prepared to commit – the dresses borrowed for the trunk show won’t be available in your local store again for a while, if ever!
How do you find out about trunk shows near you?
Social media is your friend here. Find out who your local bridal boutiques are and which designers they stock, ensure you are following their pages and check out their events listings. If they don’t have any trunk shows booked be sure to let them know what you are interested in seeing.
You can also find out about all the upcoming Ronald Joyce trunk shows on our events page.