Sample Sale and Trunk Show Season...What You'll Find at Both Types of Sales

The new wedding dress collections will be arriving in salons between now and Septembers so you'll start seeing ads for sample sales -- where salons sell old merchandise -- and trunk shows, featuring the new collections.

Here's the difference between the two events:

Sample Sale. A sample sale is where a designer or bridal salon sells their sample and overstock dresses at a discounted price. Sample dresses are the dresses that brides view and try on in salons. They are traditionally a sample size: 8 or 10. These dresses have not been worn by a bride at her wedding, but they have been tried on at the salon many times, so they will likely need a good dry-cleaning in addition to any alterations necessary. Cleaning and tailoring are not included in the price of the garment, so take that into consideration when you buy a dress at a sample sale. Alterations and cleaning can add a few hundred dollars to the price.

Trunk Show. A trunk show takes place at a bridal salon. A designer (or her representative) will bring her entire collection -- gowns carried at the store as well as gowns that are not -- and meet with brides one-on-one. By meeting with a designer, a bride can learn more about what options she has regarding altering the dress: making it strapless, changing the colored beading, etc. Most trunk shows will offer a 10 percent discount on the price of a gown if it is purchased during the show. Bridal salons will know trunk-show dates weeks, and sometimes months, in advance, so if there's a designer whose dresses you love, make an appointment as early as possible.

Wedding Dress Alterations: Something to Think About

A friend of mine found her wedding dress at a sample sale over the weekend.  She had to decide between two wedding dresses that she loved.  One dress was a little too big and had to be taken in.  The other was a little too small and had to be let out.

She went with the one that was a little too big, because it would be easier to take it in than to let the other one out.

When you're buying your wedding dress, whether at a sample sale or off the rack, it's important to think about not just the cost of alterations but the amount of work needed on the dress.  For a dress with a lot of beading the seamstress will have to take off the beads, take in or let out the dress and then re-sew all the beads, which will cost you a lot more than a simple hem.

Also, if a dress is so big or really too small the look of the dress may be completely different after it's altered.  My sample sale wedding dress was a size 10.  By the time the seamstress was done shortening it for my size 2 frame I lost so many inches off the dress that a lot of the detail I loved was cut off.

Think about the work the dress will need because it may add a significant amount to your dress budget.  And if you can, talk to a seamstress at the sale or store to see what work can be done to the dress to ensure that it will look the way you want it to on your wedding day.

Marchesa, Angel Sanchez, Amy Kuschel (and More!) Sample Sale

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon (400 W. 14TH ST. STE. 2A) is hosting a designer wedding gown sample sale with upto 70% off some of the most amazing designer gowns.

You'll find wedding dresses by Marchesa, Angel Sanchez, Sassi Holford, Amy Kuschel, Matthew Christopher and more.

The sale is one day only: Friday, February 25th from 12noon to 7pm

No appointment necessary!

Before you go make sure to read my sample sale shopping tips!

Vera Wang Sample Sale Next Week

I just got in from a movie screening and got lots of ideas for new blog posts, but I'm tired so I thought I'd share this announcement instead:

Vera Wang is hosting a sample sale on Sunday, February 27th (12noon - 6pm) and Monday, February, 28th (9am - 6pm) at the Vera Wang Bridal house (980 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor, NYC - 212-628-9898).

You'll find wedding gowns, evening gowns, shoes and accessories at a huge discount!

Here are some of my sample sale shopping tips to help you make the most of the sale:

1. Go to a sample sale with an idea of what you are looking for —- ball gown, strapless, lace. The best way to do this is to have already visited some salons and have tried on wedding dresses.
2. Sample sale dresses are not used, but they will be need to be cleaned. Ask the salon for the name of a reputable wedding gown cleaner.
3. Bring your mom or a friend with you. You'll need the extra help grabbing dresses from the racks and you'll also want their opinions.
4. Bridal salons may not offer alterations on wedding dresses sold at a sample sale, so ask the salon for the names of recommended seamstresses.
5. Sample sale dresses are listed as "Final Sale" so you can't bring the dress back for a refund or exchange. Make sure the dress you're interested in is really the dress.
6. Above all, trust your instincts. If it's truly the right dress you'll know. If you're not sure, keep looking. You don't want to end up having to sell a sample dress on your own.

Trunk Show vs Sample Sale

Bridal Dictionary

Trunk Show. Sample Sale. What's the difference?

Trunk Show - a trunk show takes place at a bridal salon. A designer will bring her entire collection - gowns carried at the store as well as gowns that are not - and meet with brides in order to sell her new gowns. By meeting with a designer the bride will be able to find out what options she has regarding altering the dress - make it strapless, change the colored beading, etc... Most trunk shows will offer a 10% discount on the price of a gown if it is purchased on the dates of the show. Bridal salons will know trunk show dates weeks, and sometimes months in advance, so if there's a designer whose dresses you love, make an appointment as early as possible.

Sample Sale - a sample sale is where a designer or bridal salon sells their sample dresses at a discounted price. Sample dresses are the dresses that brides view and try on in the salon. They are traditionally a sample size - 8 or 10. These dresses have not been worn by a bride at her wedding, but they have been tried on at the salon. They will be dirty and probably need alterations. Cleaning and tailoring is not included in the price of a sample sale dress, so take that into consideration when you buy a dress at a sample sale - alterations and cleaning can add a few hundred dollars to the price.

So, which is better to shop at?

Well, both.

Wedding Tip - Never start your bridal gown search at a sample sale. You need to have time to try different styles on to see what will fit you best. Consultants at a sample sale will not hold a dress for you. It's take it or leave it. And if you leave it, there's no guarantee it will be there when you get back.

So once you've visited a few stores and know what you like and want, check out a few sales and maybe you'll find the dress of your dreams at a fraction of the retail cost.

I did.