Making a Difference: Brides Across America
LESTER HOLT, anchor: Well, finally tonight, it's one of the most important details in one of the most important days in a woman's life, that fairy-tale dress on her wedding day. These days a lot of bride's just don't have the extra time or money to spend on a dress because they're otherwise occupied, on the battlefield. That's where one special organization comes in, and NBC 's Rehema Ellis reports on how it's making a difference for a lot of military couples headed for the aisle.
REHEMA ELLIS reporting: Just days ago, Army Specialist Alison Shibusawa traveled from Iraq to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan .
Unidentified Woman: Congratulations, welcome home.
Specialist ALISON SHIBUSAWA: Thank you.
Woman: These are some of the dresses here that...
ELLIS: Her mission now exchange fatigues for a bridal gown .
Spc. SHIBUSAWA: I've been wearing boy's clothes for a whole year. I need to show off some of my curves.
ELLIS: Shibusawa got to choose from dozens of brand-new designer dresses at Bridal Reflections , a top New York City salon.
Spc. SHIBUSAWA: I like that. I like it a lot.
ELLIS: Instead of paying up to $4,000, way beyond what she and her fiance could afford, Shibusawa 's gown will be free.
Woman: Really accents the waistline.
ELLIS: It's because of Brides Across America , a nationwide program that gives wedding dresses to military couples. At first the idea was to donate a handful of bridal gowns to engaged servicewomen, but Brides Across America quickly grew beyond the founder's wildest dreams. Heidi Janson launched the idea from the bridal salon where she worked in Massachusetts .
Ms. HEIDI JANSON: When the other salons wanted to do it, they asked me to organize it, and I said, 'Well, jeez, you know, I've never done this before, but, OK, I'll give it a shot.'
ELLIS: Five years, 38 salons nationwide, and 8,000 dresses later, it's not just active servicewomen who benefit but also fiancees of servicemen.
Ms. JANSON: It's a great way to just say thank you.
Woman: I think it's stunning.
ELLIS: Shibusawa 's mom found the program online as she was searching for inexpensive wedding ideas while her daughter was still in harm's way in Iraq .
Ms. JULIE SHIBUSAWA (Alison's Mother): It's been an interesting transition for her. All of the sudden we're rushed off to New York City and she's trying on beautiful dresses. And I 'm just so grateful.
Spc. SHIBUSAWA: I have no words to describe how happy I am right now to have picked my dress. Thank you so much .
Woman: Thank you.
ELLIS: And like most brides to be, the dress Shibusawa picked will remain under wraps until her wedding day next May. Rehema Ellis, NBC News, New
