Store’s wedding gift to military brides: free gowns

When Marlis Porter Fyke, daughter of a Vietnam War fighter pilot, got married, she had no problem affording a wedding dress.

But many others struggle with sticker shock, Fyke says.

Gowns from designers such as Austin Scarlett, Jim Hjelm and Kenneth Pool typically cost more than $3,500. But for a select group of military brides-to-be, they’ll be free Thursday at Fyke’s bridal shop, The White Dress in Corona del Mar.

The military brat turned bridal-shop owner will provide more than a dozen couture gowns between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to those who are marrying members of the military or are in the military themselves.

Dresses will be available to the first 14 callers who make appointments.

“People in the military have a lot of stuff going on in their world, and this is an opportunity for me to give back,” Fyke said. She hopes the event also will help alleviate memories of Sept. 11, 2001, on the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Fyke knows firsthand how tumultuous military life can be.

Born in the midst of the Vietnam War at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, Fyke called various air bases home as she crisscrossed the globe. Her family eventually settled in Fullerton when her father, who flew F-4 Phantoms during the war, retired.

“We were able to meet many lifelong friends and learn from different cultures.… I’ve been blessed with a great life,” Fyke said.

Now Fyke is honoring the military with her luxury-style giveaway. “It’s kind of a small event and came out of the wind,” she said.

Brides-to-be can choose from among about 50 dresses and be treated to one-hour appointments with a stylist to assist with the fit, fabric and shape of the dress. After it has been pinned to fit, jewelry and veils will be provided to accessorize the look.

The event is the first military giveaway for The White Dress, but it will not be the last, Fykes said. She plans to host another event for military families in December.

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If you go

Where: The White Dress, 2853 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday

Information: 949-723-0121, https://www.thewhitedress.com