Brides Across America, a Massachusetts based charitable organization, teamed up with bridal salon Amanda's Collection to provide military brides the opportunity to make their wedding dreams come true by receiving a free wedding gown.
Tuesday, a dozen gitty brides lined up outside Amanda's Collection in downtown Conway.
"We have been here since about 3:15, 3:30 this morning," Amanda Clark said. She and her friend drove all the way from Jacksonsville, NC to be the first in line.
"Operation Wedding Gown" will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 328 Main Street in Conway.
"I have butterflies in my entire body, I am so happy!" Emelie Rios said.
Gowns will be given away to qualifying brides and you must call ahead to register for the event.
For brides like Clark, the gift means so much. When asked about the sacrifice military families make, she replied the sacrifice is huge.
"Theres a couple times when there's a loud noise in the background and the phone just cuts off or their like 'Hey we got to go the sirens going off' and then it's click. So the fact that, the fact that somebody is willing to just donate something as simple as a wedding dress, it means a lot," Clark said fighting back tears.
In order to qualify, brides or their fiance must be on active duty in the military, either currently deployed or deployed within the past five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya or Japan.
Identification and deployment papers must be presented at the event to qualify.
Brides Across America has donated more than 7,000 wedding gowns from prominent designers valued between $500 and $4,000.
For more information, click here or call 843-248-3277.
