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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.

  1. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    29th - 30th September
    The Wedding Wardrobe
    4 KENNINGTON ROAD, LONDON, SE17BL
    Tel: 0207 928 8809
    Attend
  2. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    30th September - 1st October
    ASHLEIGH RICHARDS BRIDAL
    4 CEMETERY WALK, EASTWOOD, NOTTINGHAM, NG163TU
    Tel: 07305 552 548
    Attend
  3. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    7th - 8th October
    All About Eve Bridal
    7 CLYTHA PARK ROAD, NEWPORT, GWENT, NP204NZ
    Tel: 01633 243943
    Attend
  4. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    14th - 15th October
    Wife to Be
    3-5 FENNEL STREET, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE, WA12PA
    Tel: 01925 570 093
    Attend
  5. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    21st - 22nd October
    IVY ROSE BRIDAL
    54 CASTLE STREET, DOVER, CT161PJ
    Tel: 07880 731 820
    Attend
  6. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    28th - 29th October
    Timeless Elegance Bridal
    1ST FLOOR ST JOHN CHAMBERS, HIGH STREET ARCADE, CARDIFF, CF101BD
    Tel: 02920 229915
    Attend
  7. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    4th - 5th November
    CONFETTI & LACE LTD
    529 BROMPTON WALK, LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTRE, WEST THURROCK, ESSEX
    Tel: 01708 890353
    Attend
  8. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    4th - 5th November
    Tickled Pink
    2-4 MANOR ROAD, HATFIELD, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, DN76SB
    Tel: 01302 842 234
    Attend
  9. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    11th - 12th November
    Ivory and Lace Bridal Boutique
    MILTON BARN, HERNE MANOR FARM, PARK ROAD TODDINGTON, BEDFORDSHIRE, LU56HH
    Tel: 01525 838141
    Attend
  10. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    11th - 12th November
    The Dressing Room Bridal
    24 MANOR LANE, HALESOWEN, WEST MIDLANDS, B628PY
    Tel: 0121 423 2777
    Attend
  11. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    18th - 19th November
    AURORA BRIDE
    460 LONDON ROAD, CHEAM, SUTTON, SURREY, SM38JB
    Tel: 0208 641 6041
    Attend
  12. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    25th - 26th November
    DEBORAH JANE BRIDAL
    171 EUSTON ROAD, MORECAMBE, LANCASHIRE, LA45LQ
    Tel: 01524 411 042
    Attend
  13. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    27th - 28th January
    GRACIE BLEU BRIDAL LTD
    22 MATLOCK GREEN, MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE, DE43BT
    Tel: 01629 580011
    Attend
  14. Ronald Joyce Designer Event
    3rd - 4th February
    BRIDES DREAM
    35-37 COUTTS ROAD, WALKERGATE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE64RB
    Tel: 0191 224 0644
    Attend

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.

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