Since its inception last July, Brides Across America has given more than 1,500 gowns to military brides across the country, and selected to be a part of Oprah’s Angel Network.

“It’s such a nice thing to be a part of. The Angel Network is all charitable, and there’s so many people that do things to make a difference,” Janson said. “I feel really honored to be a part of it.”

After listening to an Afghanistan-based soldier on NPR talk about how the troops feel forgotten, Janson thought it was time to do her part and give support, which is when she began Brides Across America.

“His story really bothered me,” Janson said. “And I thought ‘What can I do as an American citizen to help?’”

Military brides-to-be flocked to bridal salons nationwide to bridal shop, including a woman who flew in from Ohio, to receive a wedding dress during a two-day giveaway in July 2008.

Word of Janson’s event spread across the country, and soon, her phone was ringing off the hook from not only brides hoping for another giveaway, but from stores across the country who wanted to do a similar giveaway. After the outpouring of support, Janson organized a nationwide giveaway, where more than 1,000 gowns were given out around Veterans Day, with one store giving away $15,000 worth of merchandise.

“The stores are really happy — it shows that you can be part of something bigger than just doing business every day,” Janson said. “You can do something positive for someone else. With the economy being so rough, a lot of these families getting married now are having problems affording the wedding process.”

Janson said the giveaways are also a good option for couples whose weddings have to be expedited due to deployment and can’t wait the six months required for an ordered wedding gown. Such a case came from a man in upstate New York whose wife was being deployed. He was a retired Army man himself, and his funding was cut in half, so they didn’t really have the money for a wedding.

“I told him the closest facility was in New York City, which was a five-hour drive for him, and he said that he’d drive anywhere to help her,” Janson said. “What complete dedication.”

Stories like that are what motivate Janson to continue the program. Recently, Janson was contacted by the Injured Soldiers Association to help with its Disney Dream Wedding program in December, and Brides Across America is providing dresses for the 30 to 40 brides registered.

“I believe what goes around comes around,” Janson said. “I’m very passionate about making a difference. The news isn’t very happy these days, and with the economy the way it is, people are struggling, and morale is down. This is just a good way to generate positive movement. We’re just planting a little seed that we hope spreads — making people aware, that’s the fuel.”
Brides Across America is getting ready for its 3rd annual nationwide Veteran’s Day Event to support our troops and pay tribute to our Veterans. Log on to htpp://www.bridesacrossamerica.com  to locate the store closest to you and upcoming dates.

Mark Your Calendars!
for the  Second Annual
Nationwide Military Wedding Gown Giveaway Event

To qualify logon to:  www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Participating Stores and dates:

Colorado
July 7th-D’Anelli’s
7301 W. Alameda Ave, Suite E
Lakewood, Colorado
303-980-1400
www.coloradobridal.com

New York July 7th-Bridal Reflections
Fifth Avenue
286 5th Avenue
NY City, NY
212-764-3040
www.bridalreflections.com

July 8th-Bridal Reflections
Carle Place
80 Westbury Avenue
Carle Place, NY
516-742-7788
www.bridalreflections.com

California
July 7th-The Bustle
1011 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA
858-523-9254
www.thebustledelmar.com

California
July 12th-The Unique Bride
1209 Howard Ave.
Burlingame, CA 94010
650-347-7001
www.uniquebride.com

Connecticut
July 12th -Stylish Impressions
254 Main St.
Farmington, CT
860-676-9990
www.stylishimpressions.net 

Illinois
July 7th-Volles Bridal Boutique
53 S. Old Rand Rd
Lake Zurich, Illinois
847-438-7603
www.vollesbridal.com

Kentucky
 July 7th-Rebeccas Bridal
 159 Chenoweth Lane
Louisville, Kentucky
502-895-4627
www.rebeccasweddings.com

Lousianna
July 7th-Town & Country Bridal
1514 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, Lousianna
504-523-7027
www.townandcountrybridal.com

New Jersey
July 7th-The Bridal Suite of Hamiliton
2607 Whitehorse Hamiliton Square
Trenton, NJ
609-588-4976
www.thebridalsuiteofhamilton.com 

Ohio
July 7th-Evalines Bridal
211 East Market St
Warren, OH
330-392-6569
www.evalinesbridal.com

July 7th-European Bridal
307 W. Benson
Cincinnati, OH
513-821-6505
www.europeanbridal.com

Pennsylvania
July 9, 10, & 11th-Bridal Suite
320 Main St.
Irwin, PA
724-861-5506
www.bridalsuite.biz

Rhode Island

July 7th-Ana’s Bridal

456 Warren Ave
E. Providence, RI
401-438-5932
www.anasbridal.com


Texas
July 7th-Brick House Bridal
200 Valley Wood Dr.
Spring, Texas
281-681-3430
www.brickhousebridal.com

Oregon
July 7th-Charlottes’ Weddings & More
8925 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy
Portland, OR 
503-297-9622
www.charlottesweddings.com

Thank you for your generous wedding gown donation for the Military Bridal Gown Giveaway.  It was an unbelievable event and a huge success!  I gave away over 60 wedding gowns.  Each bride had a heartfelt story that made the giving all worthwhile.  One bride traveled from Louisiana to meet her fiancée that just arrived home from Iraq.  She needed a wedding gown in a hurry, so they could be married in two weeks before he returned to Iraq for another year.  The brides were very grateful. 

     Today interested brides continue calling and emailing me from California to Maine asking when the next event will be held.  I have quickly realized that there are more military brides in need of wedding gowns.  I would like to acknowledge that I could not have put on such a wonderful event without the support and generosity of partner stores, designers, volunteers, and vendors.

    Stay tuned for the Nationwide Military Wedding Gown Giveaway in your area or email us at info@bridalstockexchange.com for more information.

NH Dress Shop Donates Dresses to Military Brides
The US military and wedding dresses don’t seem to have much in common. Heidi Janson, owner of the Bridal Stock Exchange in Seabrook, NH, however, found a way to unite this unlikely pair. A realization that our country needs to do more to support our troops led Janson to the idea of giving away bridal dresses to military brides. On July 8th and 9th, donated bridal gowns were given to brides with fiances serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as brides serving in the military themselves. Capri and Chinel, based at Hanscom Airforce Base, heard the shop was giving away designer gowns and jumped on the opportunity. Dressed in their fatigues and gorgeous diamond engagement rings, they were excited to try on dresses. Before Capri is deployed to Iraq, she looks forward to planning her wedding in Columbus, GA. Although she was disappointed at first to find she would be heading to Iraq, Capri decided to think positive and realize it would help save money for the wedding.

Demi of Stoneham, MA tried on three gowns, all beautiful, before settling on one. Her fiance is currently stationed in Mississippi in the Navy and will be deployed to Iraq in September. While the wedding is planned for next August, most of the wedding details have been finalized. With her fiance gone, Demi plans on staying busy to take her mind off things and looks forward to her big day.

One bride flew up from Cincinnati, Ohio to receive her free wedding gown. She tried on three gowns and ultimately chose the one she didn’t think she would like.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq don’t seem so far away when you meet with these brides. Naturally, they worry about their fiances, but they remain strong and look forward to the day when they will be able to wear their wedding dresses.

May 7, 2008- U.S. Troops Coming Home from Iraq and Afghanistan    

   Join us in helping replace fatigues with a free wedding gown!  We need your wedding gown donations to help our military brides be princess for a day.  We will be giving away donated dresses to military brides in our upcoming Military Event July 8 & 9th .  Help us in this philanthropic opportunity to show appreciation for their heart felt service for our country.  It is time we give back and support. 

   We would appreciate your gown donation for this special event.  Other items will be accepted as well such as veils, tiaras, jewelry and bridal shoes. 

 Our goal is to create awareness that these people are sacrificing their lives for us.  Let us all help each other and thank these bride and grooms for serving our nation.   

                                    Event Scheduled for July 8 & 9th, 2008  

                                       Location:  Seabrook, NH. 

               All brides must show proper ID and deployment papers to qualify.   

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