So what’s the difference between a sample sale and trunk show?
Sample sale: Designers and salons are clearing the previous season’s gowns at a discount.
Trunk Show: the salon or department store books a day or couple days for this event. You get a good long look your favorite designer collection in its entirety. In addition you'll probably get to meet with the designer or their representatives to make custom changes or modifications on your gown. Here’s the rub: Most of these gowns will not be officially available in stores for another 3-6 months, on the other hand you may get to be the first to try on and see what you look like in the real ‘cutting edge’ chic that’s out there now.
Below are schedules for the US well as Europe and UK
TRUNK SHOWS
Arizona
Nov 21-23 Lazaro at Destiny’s Bride in Scottsdale, AZ 480.368.8868
California
Nov. 14-16 -Liancarlo at Mon Amie, Costa Mesa, Ca 714.546.5700
Nov 14-16 Sarah Houston at Nouvelle Vogue in San Mateo,Ca 650.347.3444
Nov 21-22 Junko Yoshioka at Sak’s Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills,CA 310.887.5509
Nov 21-23 Ines Di Santo at Mon Amie in Costa Mesa, Ca 714.546.5700
Nov 28-30 Anne Barge at Mon Amie in Costa Mesa Ca 714.546.5700
Dec 5-7 Romona Keveza at Mon Amie Bridal in Costa Mesa
Dec 12-14 Amy Michaelson At Mon Amie in Costa Mesa
New York
Nov 14-16-Tara Keely at The Weding Atelier, NYC, NY 646.638.3263
Nov 13-16 Lazaro at Kleinfeld, Ny, Ny, 646.633.4300
Nov 18-20 Priscilla of Boston at Kleinfeld, NYC, Ny 646.633.4300
Nov 28-30 Melissa Sweet at The Wedding Atelier, NYC, NY 646.638.3263
Nov 27-29 Vera Wang at Bergdorf Goodman NYC, NY 212.872.8957
Dec 12-14 Alvina Valenta at The Wedding Atelier in NYC, NY 646.638.3263
Paris
Nov 21-22 Reinaldo Alvarez will participate in the “Coulisses du Mariage” at the Hotel Georges V-Paris http://www.fourseasons.com/contact_us/
http://www.reinaldo-alvarez.com/portraiten.htm
Reinaldo Alvarez 
California
Nov 16 Haute Couture Bride in San Francisco will hold the annual sample sale with gowns by Adele Wechsler, Augusta Jones, Caroline De Villo, Wtoo and more will be up to 80% off. 415.923.5900
Nov 15-29 Marina Morrison in San Francisco will hold their winter sample sale. Sample gowns by Anne Barge, Amsale, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Lela Rose, Liancarlo, Peter Langner and more at 45-70% off. Appointment required and you need to mention “sample sale” when booking. 415.984.9360
Nov 28-30-Wedding Atelier offering samples at 25-50% off. 646.638.3263
Nov 28-Carolina Herrera Sample Sale at the flagship store, NYC, NY, 212-249-6552.
Dec 6-7-Sample sale at Amsale, 625 Madison Ave NYC, NY 212.583.1700
Dec 13 Vera Wang Sample Sale at The New Yorker Hotel (34th St) NYC, NY 9AM to 5PM. 212-628-3400
Carolina CastiglianoUK
DESIGNERS ON SALE - the biggest sale in London - offers brides a selection of silk wedding gowns at up to 70% off. Line-up includes Amanda Wakeley, Atelier Aimée, Caroline Castigliano, Christiana Couture, Jasper Conran, Jenny Packham, Max Chaoul, Peter Langner, Rebecca Street, and many more. The sale is for 2 days only: Sat 22nd and Sunday 23rd November, from 10am to 5pm and 11am to 4pm. Entrance is free. The Thistle Hotel, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7EH, http://www.bridaldesignersale.com/
CAROLINE CASTIGLIANO SAMPLE SALE -Find your dream dress at up to 60% off from 4 November 2008 to 15th November at Caroline Castigliano boutiques nationwide. By appointment only. 62 Berners Street, London W1
Tel: 020 7636 8212Website: http://www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk/