NORTH ANDOVER — Twenty brides-to-be had one less worry taken care of ahead of their big day as a local nonprofit organization supplied military families and first responders with wedding dresses on Thursday.
Brides Across America held its annual gown-gifting event where local members and public safety officers were treated to a full bridal experience and free gown at Tulle Bridal’s outlet store, the nonprofit’s hub at 40 High St.
The organization has given away more than 28,000 wedding gowns since 2008 throughout the country at its various events at partnering bridal salons. Every year around Veterans Day, Brides Across America hosts the gown giveaways as a thank you to the men and women who are serving or are now veterans.
Brides came from as close as Andover, and traveled from as far away as Albany, New York. One flew in from Miami to join family for the special event.
“We try to make the day normal for them, to just be living in the moment,” said founder and CEO Heidi Janson. “They don’t have to worry about the expense of the dress. To our military, first responders, those on the front line, it’s our way of saying thank you to them and that their service is not forgotten to us.”
The North Andover event was one of several hosted by Brides Across America and its partnering bridal shops throughout the country.
Andover native Becca Spires was busy trying on dress after dress, analyzing details of what she liked best in each one. She was joined by her mother, sister, mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Spires is a nurse like her fiancé.
For her mother Carlene Spires, of Newburyport, the whole experience was thrilling, as she watched her youngest child pick out whatever dress she wanted from the 3,000 that filled the racks throughout the bridal salon.
“It’s taken a load off of us,” said a relieved Laura White, of Latham, New York. “We didn’t even know if we would be able to afford a wedding.”
The 29-year-old traveled 2-1/2 hours with her mother, sister-in-law and mother-in-law for the event. Her fiance is in the Air National Guard Reserve. He previously served in the Navy and Air Force for several years.
It’s not lost on her the dedication her fiance Wayne Russell has to his country and that of his multi-generational armed forces family.
The two met on a dating app when he was stationed in New Zealand, waiting to be deployed to Antarctica. They spoke through scheduled text messages for three months before meeting in person. But she knew there was something about him that would be worth the wait.
White tried on less than 10 dresses to find what she will wear on her wedding day some time next year. White’s mother Joni Holsapple said it brought tears to her eyes and left her speechless seeing her daughter in her chosen dress.
“It’s amazing they do this for military families because there’s so much dedication, time and selflessness put in from service members and it’s a nice thank you for their service,” White said.
The director of the nonprofit, Terry Brumley, said while it may look easy to “just give dresses away, there’s a lot of work that goes into it.”
She added that the August 2023 floods made things even more difficult than usual.
“After losing stock from the warehouse, Heidi has picked herself up to help these brides and have them walk out the same day with a dress,” Brumley said.
The staff gives all brides the same treatment as any other bride who walks through the doors of Tulle, Janson’s bridal shop. Brides are asked about themselves in order for the employee to get to know them to determine what dress might suit them best.
Selena Ou, 24, of Lowell, said her now-fiancé had to win the respect of her family and four brothers before getting the OK to marry. When he enlisted in the Army National Guard, that did the trick.
For Ou, a wedding dress wasn’t in their budget until she heard about the Brides Across America program.
Ou is Cambodian and she said traditionally would rent a wedding dress.
“My mom never had one,” she said. “Now to have that experience, the full bridal experience because of this, it’s special. And I’ll have my own dress.”
During her appointment, Ou spun around for her family, showing off her choices with a big smile on her face.
“It’s about seeing their faces light up,” Brumley said. “We’re so happy they are able to fulfill their dreams.”
