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 Event13th - 23rd MayTickled Pink2-4 Manor Road, Hatfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Dn7 6SBTel: 01302 842 234Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event16th - 29th MayRowberry's152/154 Port Tennant Road, Swansea, SA1 8JQTel: 01792 651 028Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event4th - 5th JuneVeil + VowSt Georges Business Park, Newborough Road, Needwood, Staffordshire, DE13 9PBTel: 07976 307 193Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event4th - 6th JuneThe Wedding Planner52 West Clyde St, Helensburgh, G84 8AXTel: 01436 670512Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event10th - 12th JuneFirst GlanceUnit 1 Sainsbury Development, Silkworth Lane, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SP3 1PDTel: 0191 520 2010Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event10th - 13th JuneIvory and LaceMilton Barn, Herne manor Farm, Park Road Toddington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6HHTel: 01525 838141Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event11th - 12th JuneOlivia Cameron Bridal9 Vicar Street, Falkirk FK1 1LLTel: 01324 625293Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event18th - 19th JuneHoops a Daisy219 Barnsley Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5NUTel: 01924 240312Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event24th - 26th JuneBride 2 Be248 Twist Lane, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 4ELTel: 01942 262606Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event24th - 26th JuneThe Wedding Wardrobe4 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7BLTel: 0207 928 8809Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event2nd - 3rd JulyBrides Dream35-37 Coutts Road, Walkergate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 4RBTel: 0191 2240644Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event2nd - 3rd JulyDress Code NineUnit 21 Allshot Enterprises, Woodhouse Lane, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9DFTel: 01376 587 949Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event15th - 16th JulyCherish The Bride152 Banks Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 0QBTel: 0151 6250505Attend
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Ronald Joyce Designer Event22nd - 24th JulyTrousseaux55B Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BGTel: 01793 724 578Attend
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.