Las Vegas shop giving away military wedding gowns

The Associated Press

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 | 3:13 p.m.

Phones haven't stopped ringing at a bridal salon as word spreads among Nellis Air Force Base and Nevada National Guard personnel that military brides-to-be can get free wedding gowns on Veterans Day.

In all, Couture Bride plans to give away about 45 designer and sample gowns Wednesday on a first-come, first-serve basis as part of a Brides Across America event, store owner Annette Cirillo-Bergen said.

"I think that just giving back to people who risk their lives every day for us is really important," Cirillo-Bergen said.

To qualify, brides or their fiances must be active-duty personnel deployed, or soon to be deployed, to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Cirillo-Bergen and partners Dawn Heaney and Flora Petakas Marinelli made Couture Bride one of 15 bridal shops in 13 states to take part in the Brides Across America giveaway. Other states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.

"As soon as we heard about it, we decided that's the thing to do," Cirillo-Bergen said. "Hopefully, it will become a bigger movement than it is."

The event is organized by bridal salon owner Heidi Janson, founder of a nonprofit organization based in Seabrook, N.H.

"With the economy at its lowest and military couples struggling to afford a wedding, it is important that we come together to show our appreciation for their brave service and commitment to our country," Janson said in a statement announcing the Nov. 11 event.

Couture Bride plans to offer gowns by designers including Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera and Elizabeth Fillmore. Most are sizes 8 and 10, and usually sell for between $2,000 and $7,000.

A seamstress will be on hand for discount alterations.

The wedding staff at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas has volunteered to help brides lining up before 10 a.m. on Wednesday with identification and copies of deployment papers.

Once cleared, a bride can select a gown.

"If they like something, it's theirs," Cirillo-Bergen said.

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On the Net:

Brides Across America: http://www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Couture Bride: http://www.couturebridelv.com