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Shop enlists in US campaign to assist military brides
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Treasured Moments Bridal and Formal, on U.S. Route 224 across from the Southern Park Mall, will have 20 to 30 wedding gowns to give away to qualified military brides Friday as part of the Brides Across America program.
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Mark and Lorraine Fulks, owners of Treasured Moments Bridal and Formal in Boardman, show off bridal gowns. The store will participate on Friday in Brides Across America, a non-profit program that distributes free gowns to military brides.
By Ashley Luthern
Boardman
The owners of Treasured Moments Bridal and Formal know what it’s like to have a military wedding, and they’re hoping to make that process easier for couples Friday.
Treasured Moments, on U.S. Route 224 across from the Southern Park Mall, is taking part in Brides Across America, a non-profit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military brides.
“Most of the dresses are from our store, but some designers have donated them, too. Local wedding-related businesses have also given donations for the day,” said Lorraine Fulks, co-owner of Treasured Moments.
She added that 20 to 30 dresses will be available for the giveaway. To qualify, brides must be engaged and planning a wedding; deployed or will be deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan; or have a fianc on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan.
Brides Across America began in 2007, and last year Evaline’s Bridal in Warren took part in the project.
This year, the program expects to give away 5,000 gowns nationwide, said Heidi Janson, founder of Brides Across America.
Lorraine owns the Treasured Moments with her husband, Mark Fulks, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and spent almost seven years on active duty.
“I graduated from the academy at noon, and we got married at 5 p.m. that day in the academy chapel,” Mark said.
The pair have been married for 32 years. They have three children: Heather, 29; Shawn, 24; and Brett, 18. They opened the store in 2003.
“We did long-distance romance, and it’s a challenge. This [dress giveaway] makes the transition easier. We understand what they face,” Lorraine said.
On Friday, the Fulks will also offer a 25 percent discount on bridal gowns to military brides who do not meet the Brides Across America guidelines.
“We both have the ultimate respect for [military couples], knowing that they’re deployed as soon as they finish training,” Mark said. “They’ll be married and then have to face separation almost immediately.”
The store opens at 10 a.m. and dresses will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Treasured Moments will host another military-bride day Nov. 12.