“A big white dress, a big puffy veil and a crown, it’s just every little girl’s dream,” Nancy Linsky said.

“I can remember running around in my mom’s high heels and pearls when I was little; I wanted to be a bride.”

When she met SSG Ivan Linsky and they decided to marry, Nancy tried to plan the perfect wedding, complete with flowers, family and a white dress, but Army scheduling got in the way.

“I would sit down and try to pick a day and then something would come up,” she said. “Planning the wedding around schools and camps, it’s just crazy.”

The couple eventually gave in and shared their vows alone at the courthouse Feb. 22.

Nancy thought she would never have her dream wedding until she heard about Operation Wedding Bells, a free wedding for 19 brides at the Columbus Botanical Garden sponsored by Operation Homefront Georgia.

“I was ecstatic,” she said. “It’s my fairy tale that I never thought I would have. My husband and I both believe this is our miracle.”

“I’m excited, but the main thing is I’m happy for her; she gets to do what she always dreamed of doing,” Ivan said.

“We just didn’t have time to plan for it. She was in school. I was in the Army. It was just one of those things (for) later, when we have time and we have money.”

With their nuptials Saturday, they enjoyed “the whole nine yards of what a wedding is supposed to be” without the worries of time or finances, he said.

Operation Homefront Georgia collaborated with local sponsors and volunteers to provide everything from tiaras, flowers and hors d’oeuvres to Mary Kay makeovers and Alfred Angelo bridal gowns.

They also coordinated with the chain of command to guarantee time off for each Soldier.

That was the best part, said PFC Bradley Chadwell, one of two Soldiers to say his vows for the first time Saturday at the gardens.

“It was nice to have a time allotment where we didn’t have everyone try and get here on this date and then not get that day of leave,” he said. “It was already orchestrated. It was perfect timing.”

His wife, Amanda, said they were

planning to marry at the courthouse to save money, but she is glad they didn’t have to.

“This is a million times better,” she said.

“I get to wear a dress. I got to get my hair done. Brad looks so handsome in his class As. And we actually got to have friends here to witness it. It was fabulous. I really appreciate all the help from Operation Homefront. They were lifesavers.”

Although the nuptials included all the frills of a typical white wedding, Kim Scofi, executive director of Operation Homefront Georgia, said she hoped they gave the couples more than just a ceremony and reception. She wants them to share an experience that will strengthen their marriage.

Many of the couples who renewed their vows will face a deployment sometime this year. Photographs and memories from their special day will help them as they deal with separation, Scofi said.

“He can think about how beautiful she looked in her bride’s dress; she can think about how stunning he looked as he (said) his vows,” she said.

“When times are tough and you’re separated because of training or deployment, you want to be able to remember the love in your spouse’s eye. Having a day like that helps you remember.”

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