Q: What is a trunk show?!

A: To brides, the words "trunk show" conjure up images of a road-weary salesman pulling discount dresses out of a weathered chest.

"A trunk show is an opportunity to try a wider selections of styles for the featured designer" said Sharon Tounsend, owner and manager of Tiffany's Bridal.  "If a bride is interested in a particular designer, a trunk show gives her access to samples from all or most of that designer's new collection"

That doesn't mean that stores pull ragged samples from a trunk; the designer ships carefully-packaged gowns to the hosting boutique. Bridal stores normall have a few gowns from each collection in stock, but a trunk show makes 15 to 25 gowns available and therefore increases the chance that a bride will try on the exact same dress she's been eyeing in a magazine.

Then there's the added bonus: Saving money! Trunk shows almost always mean special discounts for brides who purchase gowns from that particular collection during the show. Of course, that may mean some quick decision making (shows usually only last one weekend: Friday and Saturday), however, if a bride has found "the one," commitment phobia normally won't take hold. Indecisive brides can still sleep on it, but that often means forgoing the markdown.