Trunk Show FAQ!!!

Hello Bustle Babes!

We know the wedding planning process can be overwhelming especially because it is typically the first time planning your very own wedding. We want to help by explaining terms and processes we use every day but might not be something you have heard of or are familiar with.

What is a trunk show?

A trunk show is when a bridal designer sends us gowns from a new collection or accessories for the boutique to carry for a limited amount of time. The Bustle hosts many trunk shows throughout the year for all our designers, we may host the same trunk show up to twice a year as well. It's a great way for brides to see the designer's newest collection, or trending styles we might not typically have in the store. 

When are trunk shows?

There are a couple of ways to find out when our trunk shows are being held! You can always visit our website here, where we list all our upcoming events and trunk shows for the year. We also do post all of our trunk shows ahead of time on our social media accounts. If you're looking for a specific designer's trunk show, the best way to find where and when would be to go to their website and they typically list the dates and locations of their trunk shows near you.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, The Bustle prides itself on great customer service! Part of that experience is providing every bride with a private suite for you and your party, as well as your own expert bridal stylist to answer any questions you may have. You can book appointments with us online or by calling us at 858-523-9254. 

Is there a fee for a trunk show?

Yes, in order to book a trunk show appointment there is the appointment fee of $50 as well as a trunk show fee of $50. Both fees will go towards your same day purchase! We charge this fee because in order to get the new collection gowns to The Bustle we need to have them shipped here and to ensure brides who are wanting to try on these gowns have a spot available for booking.

What to keep in mind

Trunk shows are only in shops for a limited time. Typically one weekend, or two for gowns. Accessory trunk shows can last a whole month, depending on the designer. Gowns immediately get shipped back to the designers once a trunk show ends and the shop will no longer have those gowns in store to come back and try/see again.  The Bustle does not own the Trunk Show gowns/accessories so we must return the products to the designer. Luckily, the gowns can still be ordered even after a trunk show ends.  Keep in mind, any trunk show discount offered by the designer or The Bustle are only valid for the time of the trunk show. Once the trunk shows ends, the discount no longer applies.

The Bustle's upcoming trunk shows:

Berta Privee: November 8-10, 2024

Berta Couture: November 15-17, 2024

Accessories: November 29 - December 29, 2024

Experience The Best!

What every bride deserves on their wedding gown shopping journey!

Enjoy the best bridal shopping experience at the Bustle with your closest family and friends! You will have an experience like no other! A place where you can truly escape from the rest of the world and focus on finding your dream wedding gown. Our goal at The Bustle is to do more than just help find your dream gown; we are here from beginning to end!

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1. Welcome to The Bustle

   Welcome to The Bustle!!! Greeted by an expert bridal stylist in a beautiful, private bridal suite! Don’t forget to take a picture by the personalized chalk board with the bride’s name on it!

2. Champagne & Treats anyone?

   Starting off the appointment with a glass of chilled champagne & yummy treats! Feel free to simply take a seat and enjoy the view of endless wedding gowns waiting to be picked out for you!

3. Details Details Details

   Now it’s time for the details! The expert bridal stylist wants to know any and every detail that you have for your dream wedding gown. Sparkle, lace, shape, neckline, straps, no straps? We want to know it all! If you have no idea what you want for wedding gown, don’t worry! That’s what we are here for! Show us any pictures or inspiration of wedding gowns that you have seen and think that you will like! This way your bridal stylist can gather a perfect picture of your dream gown for you.

4. The selection

   After your bridal stylist has gathered all the details from you, she will then go and select five to seven gowns based off the information you have given her! Your stylist has been trained on each and every gown, where it’s from, how much it cost, what colors it may come in, your bridal stylist knows them all! In other words, trust the stylist!! If you do happen to see a dress that just keeps screaming your name from the racks, tell your bridal stylist asap!! She will of course add it to the selection. Our stylists try to start the appointment with only a few gowns to try on in order to gather more information on what it is you prefer! Our goal is to find your gown, not overwhelm you with 100 dresses to try on!

5. Now, the FUN part!

   It’s the moment you have been waiting for! Time to try on the beautiful selection of gowns that your bridal stylist has gathered for you! Your stylist will guide you into the dressing room and help you in and out of the gowns. Trying on wedding gowns is no easy task! Your stylist will help you in the dress, zipping the dress, tying the corset if needed, and clipping the dress to where it fits you perfectly. Now it’s time to go show the crowd!

6. Getting the full picture

   Now getting to see the dress fully, not just in the dressing room! You will be guided on to the pedestal placed in front of a big mirror. You will get to see every detail the wedding gown holds! You can express to your stylist what you love about her (yes, I call the gowns “her”), or what you don’t love about her, then on to the next gown! We will try and ask you to rank the dresses as you go to make it easier for you to truly find the one and only perfect gown. We will keep the top two favorites held in the dressing room for you to try back on at the end of your appointment with a veil and some accessories!

7. Is it time to say yes to the dress?

   Seeing your two favorites back-to-back will help you truly see how you feel about each one and which you feel like you truly love more. Photos are also great in this, because you could love one in person and not so much in photos. You MUST love it in both! You will ultimately see a ton of beautiful gowns. All gowns are beautiful but as I like to say, each gown has a personality, and each bride has a personality, so when the two meet you’ll know! If you love it and couldn’t imagine going down the aisle in anything else, that’s your cue to say yes to the dress!!

Let's Talk - The Perfect Fit

Let’s talk through tailoring & otherwise known as alterations!

When 

The common misconception is starting as soon as the gown arrives, which is not entirely false. Sometime the gown comes in a few months earlier than expected; side note, we LOVE when this happens! If the gown arrives four or five months before the wedding, please hold off on alterations. I’ll explain why. I know it is so exciting when the gown is in and we just want to get it fitting perfectly so we can wear it all over the house, but the recommended timeframe to start alterations is six to eight weeks before the wedding date, or date of departure for the wedding. More on that in the FAQ below. If the gown arrives 4 weeks before the wedding, don’t stress out! You have plenty of time! It happens and it will fit perfectly as well!  

Where

Give The Bustle a call or text when you're ready to book your first fitting appointment and we'll help you connect with our recommended seamstress. She is right next door to us, how convenient!  

What you'll need

Most importantly bring your shoes to all the appointments. If you forget them at home, turn around and grab those shoes girl! The seamstress can’t do two of the most important alterations without the shoes, a hem and a bustle. Next up, bring any undergarments you plan on wearing the day of your wedding, spanks, panties, etc. If the gown has a low back and you’re wearing spanks, you want to be sure they don’t show, bring three pairs if you need to. Undergarments can alter your measurements.  

Cost

Alterations is a separate fee from the cost of the gown. The Bustle can give a rough estimate, but don’t quote us because we aren’t altering the gown. There is a broad price range based on what you'll need altered, the fabrics of the gown, how many layers are in the gown, etc. The typical price range is anywhere from $400 to $1,200.    

What to expect

Typically, most brides will visit the seamstress three times, some only need two visit and some need four. The first appointment is where the bride should let the seamstress know what they would like done aside from what the seamstress sees already. If the bride is wanting to lower the back, add fabric, make a sleeve, add a slit, etc., they should say so in the beginning of the appointment. This is not the time to be shy! Let the seamstress know exactly what you want, what you like, what you don’t like, how you feel. The seamstress will be honest with you and say their opinion or if it is not doable. The first appointment will just be a pinning appointment, pinning the hem, bustle, sides, straps, cups and anything additional. It is a process, so if you feel it isn’t tight enough, just wait until the second appointment because the seamstress can always take it in more but can’t always let it out. It does not cost more if you want her to take it in more, but it will cost extra if you need her to let it out because it is too tight now. The second appointment is again a place to voice concerns, adjustments to the fit or length, and the third appointment is as well but for most the third appointment is pick up day!

EXTRA FAQ

Why do I have to wait until 6-8 weeks before the wedding to get my gown fitted? Well, you do not ‘have’ to, it is recommended and there are two reasons why. First, we are women, we fluctuate in weight, even if you think you don’t, you do. Reason number two, you will end up paying more if you leave with the gown fitting perfectly and then need to come back two months later because now it’s too tight or too loose. You want to achieve the best fit as possible, so you want to be as close to the wedding date as possible!

Why is the price of alterations so high? Truly it isn’t high. I know you’re saying “uh yes, it is” but just hear me out. Imagine having to sit down for 24 hours or more, squinting are small pieces of threads and beading, using your fingers to perfectly restitch someone else stitching (the designers). It not an easy task and requires a lot of patience, endurance, and skill.

Does everyone need alterations? Yes! Everyone needs alterations. Unless you are the one in five hundred that is just the perfect sample size, height with your shoes and doesn’t want or need a bustle. Chances are, you will need all the typical alterations, which includes, hem, bustle, side seams, cups, and straps. On the off chance you don’t need a few of those, the bustle is one thing that you can’t run from unless you have a second dress for dancing and greeting guests. The designers do not send the gowns with bustles because a bustle is different on everyone, it is based on your height.