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 wedding dresses from a designer before they arrival in store. This will usually take place over a weekend, hence the name, Designer Weekend.

This is the perfect event to shop for your wedding dress as you are able to view the latest collection, with a variety of styles that the boutique wouldn't usually stock. Boutiques tend to know what sells well locally and will pick wedding dresses that will cater for that area, therefore at a designer weekend, you might pick up something more unique than what the shop would normally offer. 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.

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 one of our designer weekends!

What is a Designer Weekend?

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 wedding dresses. 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 wedding dresses they would like to stock in their boutiques. These wedding 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 Designer Event?

Bridal boutiques will usually only stock dresses from a handful of designers, and only certain styles from each collection. These are 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 designer event means that as well as seeing all the dresses the boutique currently stocks, you will also get to see the very latest designs which are usually not in stores yet, meaning you get a sneak peek into the latest trends and designs. Most boutiques will also offer a discount for ordering your dress during a designer weekend, and our award-winning designer Veni Infantino has been known to attend some events each season.

It's incredibly important to know your budget before you start visit a designer weekend - 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 designer weekend won't be available in your local store again for a while, if ever!

How do you find out about Designer Weekend near you?

The best way to find out about the latest designer weekends, is to keep an eye on our social media platforms like our Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. On these we will often post about the latest event and link the bridal boutiques, who will book sneak peeks of the collection for the event.

You can also find out about all the upcoming Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce trunk shows on our events page,