Soldiers' Angels

Wedding Dress Essay Contest

Sixteen lucky military brides will be receiving sixteen gorgeous wedding dresses thanks to a generous bridal boutique.  Brides who write the best essay about their own love story will receive their targeted dress from among the choices listed below.

Dress sizes range from 6 to 14, with a size 24 and a size 42 as well.  Some are brand new, others have been rented, but all are clean and in superb condition.  Most are very detailed, with additions of lace, cutouts or sequins.  Scroll down for details on each dress, including multiple pictures.

Contest Details

• Essay theme:  What is your love story and how did you meet?  No minimum or maximum length, but quality is the determining factor.
  
• Eligibilty: either bride or groom (or both) must be active duty U.S. military personnel (this includes wounded personnel still under DoD care).  The command associated with a winning couple may be contacted for final verification of status.
  
• Deadline: 4/21/2011 (may possibly be extended for some dresses, depending on level of interest)
• Essays and application form must be submitted via email to adavidson@soldiersangels.org, using this form with all relevant information filled in (if you do not have MS Office/Word 2007, download this "fix" first).  If you encounter technical problems, email beths@soldiersangels.org. 
  
• ID# of desired dress MUST be included in application; dress choice is final.
• Privacy will be maintained at all times; any personal info will be released only with applicant's permission.
• Winners will appear in a small profile on the Soldiers’ Angels website; if possible, winners will also submit update with pictures from the wedding.
  

Dresses Available

Important Note: Dresses have been dry-cleaned since photos were taken.  Many of the dresses have gold-tone clear/iridescent sequins that appear darker gold than they actually are, due to photo quality.

Size 6 Dresses (click ID# for photos)

ID# 1 – embroidered flowers with cram sequins all over, spaghetti straps, long train.

ID# 5 – square neck with empire waist and beaded bodice, buttons all the way down the train. 

Size 8 Dresses (click ID# for photos)

ID# 8 – beading with pale gold transparent sequins (sequins look darker in the pictures), empire waist, train. 

ID# 9 – sheath, bodice of lace roses with beads, detachable train; can wear off or on the shoulder with capped mini-sleeves

ID# 14 – sleeveless with drop waist; detailed lace and beading/sequins on front (sequins appear darker than actual) and lace around the neckline; beading on hem of skirt and up the long train; back is low and square with small bow and two embroidered ribbons.

Size 10 Dresses (click ID# for photos)

ID# 3 – drop waist with lace overlay and lace long sleeves with pearl buttons at the wrist; high neck, bow in back and long train.  

ID# 4 – V-neck lace over sweetheart neckline, drop waist, lace long sleeves with pearl buttons at the wrist, rows of ruffles and rosettes at the bottom; back of skirt has gathered ruffles meeting up at the waist with a bow.  

ID# 7 – lace bodice, off-the-shoulder straps with capped sleeves three bows on the back with plain train.  

ID# 10 – two-piece, corset bodice with beading; beaded skirt hem with 21 beaded rosettes running length of long train.

ID# 11 – sleeveless, neck-high lace oover a sweetheart neckline, back open to the waist with intricate lace detail on long train. 

ID# 15 – square neckline with short sleeves and empire waist;  beaded bodice with gold transparent sequins (looks darker in photo); detailed beading on lower half of dress and train.  

Size 12 Dresses (click ID# for photos)

ID# 13 – cream-colored with an empire waist, short sleeves, lace and beading; lace on skirt him and and train.  

ID# 16 – cream colored sheath with detachable train; cutouts and beading with gold transparent sequins (appear darker in photo); long sleeves with pearl buttons at wrists; cut out along hem and slit in back; additional cutouts and detail on long train. 

Size 14 Dress (click ID# for photos)

ID# 12 – empire waist with delicate bow in front, lace short sleeves and lace with gold transparent sequins (appear darker in photo); matching bows on back bodice, no train.  

Size 24 Dress (click ID# for photos)

ID# 6 – lace overlay and long sleeves with pearl buttons at wrists, lace around skirt hem; small train.  

Size 42 Dress (click ID# for photos)

ID# 2 - lace sleeves and lace border on bodice; plain skirt, no train.