In celebration of Independence Day and to support our troops, Brides Across America and bridal salons nationwide are giving away YES more free dresses  starting July 11-23rd.  

In order to qualify, brides or their fiancé must be on active duty in the military, either currently deployed or deployed within the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya or Japan.  Identification and deployment papers must be presented at the event to qualify.

Brides will be serviced on a first-come, first-serve basis. Brides are encouraged to come early and secure their place in line, as there is a limited supply. The gowns to be donated are valued between $500 and $4,000 and range from sizes 4-20.  For more information visit http://www.bridesacrossamerica.com

On May 24th-Special Memorial Day Event at Bella Bianca Bridal Salon, Oakbrook Terr, IL.

Friend us on Facebook and Twitter for  daily updates.  http://www.facebook.com/bridesacrossamerica

Through Brides Across America’s partnership with Impression Bridal, military brides will be shopping for dresses from the salon’s exclusive line of glamorous bridal gowns by Impression, Simone C arvalli and DaVinci. All three salon locations will be preparing a select number of gowns to be given away to qualifying brides on a first come first serve basis. Gowns are valued between $500 to $3,000 and range from size 4 to 22.  For more information www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Through Brides Across America’s partnerships with bridal salons across the country, military brides will be shopping for dresses designed by Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Kenneth Pool, and other prominent designers.

Without organizations like Brides Across America, many military brides would not have the chance to pick out a designer dress for their special day due to economic circumstances. “Many soldiers come back injured and take severe pay cuts. It makes it very difficult to make ends meet not to mention have a dream wedding. The least we can do is to help them have a magical day!” said Heidi Janson, founder of Brides Across America.

Participating bridal salons will be preparing a select number of gowns to be given away to qualifying brides on a first come first serve basis. Gowns are valued between $500 to $3,000 and range from size 4 to 22.

In order for brides to qualify, they must be engaged, be on active duty in the military, or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. All brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, and orders or other qualifying proof.

About Brides Across America

Brides Across America, a Massachusetts based charitable organization focuses on providing free wedding gowns to those military brides that have not been able to have their dream wedding. Brides Across America is connecting with bridal salons across the nation to help spread the military spirit. Since 2007, Brides Across America and its partners have given away more than 5000 wedding gowns nationwide.

For military brides who are ready to take part in this bridal opportunity of a lifetime visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com   to find a participating salon near you.

Dates and locations are located on www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Qualifications:

• You or your fiancée  is active duty.
• You or your fiancée have been deployed or will be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan.
• You may still qualify even if you are married by a civil ceremony
• A copy of deployment orders must accompany you when going to the salon.
• There is no need to register ahead of time.  Just show up the day of the event.
• There is contact information for the store located nearest you.  Please  check hours of event directly with salon. 
• There is a limited amount of gowns to be given away.  Most stores average around 20-30 gowns.  Once they have given out the amount, brides will be put on a waiting list for the next event in November. 
• Gowns are store samples, overstocks or new.  Each store has a variety of sizes, however, be prepared to have alterations done as most gowns need to be fitted for a perfect fit. 

Best of Luck!  Brides Across America

“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.

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

Event Starts: December 26, 2008 – January 2, 2009

In Store Event:  January 2, 2009

Time: 10-9 pm

Place:  Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique  

452 South Main Street

Fall River, MA  02721

508-679-8770

Brides Across America gave over 1000 gowns to military brides.  Military brides and fiancé’s continue to request gowns throughout the country including Iraq. Military Brides can qualify for a Bridal Gown Gram or select a gown of their choice on January 2, 2009 from 10-9pm at Alexandra’s in store event. Alexandra’s wants to spread the Christmas cheer and give a wedding gown as a gift to the soldiers in need.

 Brides can replace their fatigues with a free designer wedding gown from Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique.  Massachusetts’s premier bridal salon is pleased to give Military personnel who served in Iraq or Afghanistan or whose fiancé’s are in active duty in those areas with this special in store event on January 2, 2009 in celebration of the New Year.  This is a great way to show appreciation towards the troops and families for their sacrifice.  Alexandra’s Bridal has hand selected 150 designer wedding gowns to give away at the event on a first come first serve basis.  The giveaway is a philanthropic opportunity to show appreciation for their heart felt service for our country.  It is time we give back and support. 

To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan.  All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place.

For more information regarding this event please call Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique at 508-679-8770.

More information about getting a free bridal gown gram log onto: www.bridesacrossamerica.com.

To qualify logon to:  www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Colorado

Kentucky
 Nov 11th-Rebeccas
 159 Chenoweth Lane
Louisville, Kentucky
502-895-4627
www.rebeccasweddings.com

North Carolina
Nov 8th-Cardinal Bridal
1616 J Battleground Ave.
Greensboro, North Carolina
336-333-9016
www.cardinalbridal.com

Nebraska
Nov th-Ellyne Bridal
4400 South 70th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska
402-489-7770
www.ellynebridal.com

New Jersey
Nov 11th-The Bridal Suite of Hamiliton
2607 Whitehorse Hamiliton Square
Trenton, NJ
www.thebridalsuiteofhamilton.com
609-588-4976

New York

Rhode Island
Nov th-Cinderella’s Bridal Salon
566 Post Road
Warwick, RI
www.gownsbyscott.com
401-921-5422

South Carolina
to be announced

     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.