Finding that perfect wedding dress at the perfect price can be a stressful process.
But we've found a way you can get your dream dress without breaking the bank, without pushy sales people, and without any pressure.
"I did cry when I got it and put it on. I loved it," said Sharron Irons. "I love it. It's my dream dress."
Shannon Irons' wedding gown is a Monique Lhuillier.
"The value was $6,000. I paid only $2,300," said Shannon.
Shannon found her dream dress on YourDreamDress.com.
The website sells only authentic designer couture wedding gowns.
Some are dresses boutiques need to get rid of to make room for new inventory. Others are samples, but they've never been worn to any event. And YourDreamDress promises to ship in ready-to-wear condition.
"It came in mint condition. It didn't have any marks or flaws of any kind. It was perfect," Shannon said.
There are many other deals on YourDreamDress.
A Badgley Mischka is normally $8,790, but on YourDreamDress.com it's just $950; an 89% savings.
A Ramona Kevez retails for $7,690, but it's just $795 YourDreamDress.com. That's a 90%.
And YourDreamDress has a great return policy. Call or email within 3 days of receiving the item, send it back, and YourDreamDress will give you a full refund for the purchase price minus shipping.
And the website also sells accessories at a deep discount. Shannon got her veil and tiara there.
"The veil retailed for $1,875, and I believe I only paid $800 for it," said Shannon. "And the tiara retailed for $1000, and I only paid $500 for that."
And Shannon now has her items up for sale on RecycledBride.com which lets you buy and sell wedding items; everything from dresses and accessories to ceremony items and décor, to groom stuff and even rings.
Shannon has already sold a bridal-looking handbag on the website.
"I purchased my purse on eBay for $25, kept it, used it for New Year's Eve, and sold it for $50," said Shannon.
There are no listing fees or commissions to sell one item. To list up to six items, it's $9.95 per month.
Shannon also says the people she talked to and dealt with at YourDreamDress were so warm and engaging.
She felt more like a princess talking to them than she did at any bridal salon!
Designer gowns at bargain prices
In today's economy, few brides can afford one-of-a-kind, haute-couture wedding gowns from designers like Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhullier, Amsale or Elizabeth Fillmore.
But a new weekly deal site, The Aisle New York, makes those kinds of gowns more affordable.
The Aisle launched just last month and offers a new sale every Monday.
"We have dresses that originally retail on our site anywhere between $2,000 and $12,000, and on average you can find them between 40% and 60% off. So I would say, our entry level price point for dresses is about $800 going up to the $10,000 range," explains David Yassky, The Aisle of New York.
The Aisle gets gowns directly from the designers. Some are overstocks, others are runway samples. The site also has veils, shoes, jewelry, lingerie and other bridal accessories.
To take some of the guesswork out of online shopping, the site has lots of information on measurements and they offer what they call "return insurance."
"So a girl can purchase return insurance from us for about $200, and if she doesn't like her dress, or it isn't what she thought, or it doesn't fit perfectly, she can return it for a full refund, and it has free shipping going back as well," said Yassky.
The Aisle New York plans to expand into bridesmaids' dresses and eventually into tuxes for grooms.
