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Dress whites Dozens of military brides receive wedding gowns in Seabrook

By Angeljean Chiaramida
Staff writer
Published: July 10, 2008

SEABROOK — Alida Jimenez and her fiancé, Darryl Jenkins, have tried to get married officially since 1998, but his three lengthy oversees deployments with the U.S. Navy repeatedly interrupted their plans and savings account.

When Jimenez of Lawrence heard a Seabrook bridal shop was giving away 50 wedding gowns to brides connected with the military, she made arrangements to be at Heidi Janson's Bridal Stock Exchange on the first day of the two-day event.

At 6:30 Tuesday night, Jimenez stood in front of Janson's full length mirror in awe.

"Heidi, this is it. I don't need to try on any more," Jimenez said. "I'm ecstatic, and you're getting an invitation (to the wedding.)"

On Tuesday and again yesterday, similar scenarios played out many times over in this intimate, yet unassuming bridal shop within the Seabrook Travel Center, where Janson made dreams come true for dozens of military brides over the past two days.

Jimenez's silk taffeta, strapless gown with a delicate skirt was designed by Cardinal, Janson said, and would retail for $1,025.

"Oh, wow! I didn't expect this to look so nice," Jimenez said, with tears running down her cheeks. "I didn't expect to get this emotional."

When the Daily News announced in a story in late June that Janson would use her 25 years of experience and contacts in the bridal industry to collect and give away thousands of dollars worth of gowns to military brides, word spread across the country via media, friends, family and the Internet. On Tuesday, three television satellite trucks were parked outside the shop.

"They're calling from everywhere," Janson said. "We'll go through the 50 gowns we've collected with no problem."

It was a way to support these women in a meaningful way, Janson said, a way of giving something back to those who give so much to this country.

All brides had to do to qualify was show their military IDs or show their husbands' deployment papers.

"The usual order time for a gown is six to eight months," Janson said. "(These brides) can't do that. Some of them have to get married very quickly between deployments."

For two military brides with weddings coming up in a matter of months, Janson's offer was the answer to prayer. Amber Thomas, stationed in Maine, and Tara Reynolds of Dracut arrived on Tuesday and left with the perfect dresses.

And Rachel Nelson of Haverhill hadn't planned to get married in a gown at all because of difficult circumstances, Janson said.

"I think getting a bridal gown for Rachel would have been a struggle," Janson said. "She was originally planning to just wear a nice dress to the wedding. Now, she has a gown she looks just beautiful in."

When Jessica Webb got the news Tuesday in Cincinnati, she moved quickly. Her roommate, a Delta flight attendant, offered two buddy passes for Webb and her sister Stephanie that brought them to Seabrook yesterday.

Webb's marriage was set for September 2009, but with grandparents with serious illnesses, the Webbs didn't want to take a chance someone might not be around to see them say their "I dos." A quick, informal wedding with just the family took place in January, Webb said, and it was just in time, because they lost a loved one in April.

Webb married her West Point alumnus, Army captain husband dressed in jeans. But a formal wedding is still planned for September 2009 when her husband returns from Iraq, and Webb needed a gown. She got one yesterday by Impression, without the $1,200 price tag.

"I feel like Cinderella," Webb said to Janson as they gazed into the boutique's mirror together. "I love this dress. It's gorgeous. Thank you so much."

Nonbrides were fascinated by the news as well. Georgetown seamstress Deby Ryan called Janson, and will donate hemming alterations, and University of New Hampshire student Lori Taylor called to offer help.

And more's on the way for military brides and Janson. With her gesture so positively received by brides and the bridal industry, Janson's been asked to help with similar gown giveaways across the country.

The program is going nationwide, Janson said, still looking a little overwhelmed by the success of her venture.

"You know, I think when the brides first come in here, they don't think the gowns will be so beautiful," Seabrook Travel Center agent Karen Jenkins said. "But when they leave, they're so happy. This has been just wonderful."

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