Flagstaffsooner
6/23/2007, 05:39 AM
Maybe Callahan was right.:O
By Trisha Evans
Business Writer
Two Oklahoma couples will walk down the aisle — the Wal-Mart aisle — and say "I do” next month.
Candace Presley and Matt Cauthon of Gore and Debra Russell and Oliver Roper of Oklahoma City won wedding packages in the Wal-Mart and Gartner Studios "Lucky in Love” promotion, which awards seven couples a venue on the most sought after wedding day of the year — 7/7/07.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect for Russell and Roper, who met in July, seven years ago. They've set wedding dates before — and even purchased wedding rings — but never said their vows.
"We fell on hard times and had to pawn our wedding rings. We lost them to the pawn shop,” Roper said. "That's why it's so significant that we won because it includes two diamond wedding rings.”
‘Still feels like a dream'
For his fiancee, the feeling is surreal.
"I dreamed this all my life, and I waited 53 years, and it's finally going to happen,” Russell said.
Keeping with the triple 7 theme, they'll have seven attendants, 77 guests and tie the knot at 7 p.m.
The lucky number has been popping up all week, Roper said. They also were the seventh winner chosen in the contest. And no one is giving the betrothed flak about the wedding's odd location.
"People are just happy that we're getting married,” Roper said laughing. "Nobody said anything, except, "Where's it at? We'll be there.”
Even the two associates, who are doubling as wedding planners, are thrilled.
"Me and Willie are so excited we can't even sleep,” said Noma Cherry, toy department manager.
"They're a wonderful couple, and we're having a blast doing it,” safety coordinator Willa Rice said.
But the Oklahoma City couple don't expect the triple 7s to bring them any more luck.
"We're already lucky in love,” Russell said.
"People keep telling us to go to the casinos and gamble. Why?” Roper asked. "We've already hit the jackpot!”
‘A memorable wedding'
As a little girl, Candace Presley dreamed of the perfect wedding.
"Then one day I met Matt. We are so perfect together. I have all my heart in this relationship, and so does he,” she wrote in the winning essay.
Although a wedding at Wal-Mart isn't the scenario girls usually dream, for Presley it's a memory she couldn't pass up.
"How neat would it be to tell your kids and grandkids that you got married at Wal-Mart?” she asked. "People have kind of made jokes about the Wal-Mart thing, but I think it's kind of neat and memorable.”
She said her parents both thought it the idea was crazy but are happy for them. Groom-to-be Cauthon said he isn't surprised his wedding will be an interesting one. He said the uniqueness of it all typifies the relationship.
"We like to do things differently,” he said.
Both couples will wed in the lawn and garden departments of their nearest Supercenter. Customers will be able to see the ceremony, but they won't be sampling the punch.
"That's the first thing they told me, ‘Don't think that a customer is going to get to come in and try our your cake or anything,'” Presley said.
Both weddings will be closed to the public.
Presley is hoping the triple 7s bring her luck, something she said all couples need.
"But I think we're going to make it no matter what day we get married,” she said. Both wedding packages are estimated at $5,000 and include wedding bands, digital camera, invitations, decorations, bouquets, a portable global positioning system device and $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.
By Trisha Evans
Business Writer
Two Oklahoma couples will walk down the aisle — the Wal-Mart aisle — and say "I do” next month.
Candace Presley and Matt Cauthon of Gore and Debra Russell and Oliver Roper of Oklahoma City won wedding packages in the Wal-Mart and Gartner Studios "Lucky in Love” promotion, which awards seven couples a venue on the most sought after wedding day of the year — 7/7/07.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect for Russell and Roper, who met in July, seven years ago. They've set wedding dates before — and even purchased wedding rings — but never said their vows.
"We fell on hard times and had to pawn our wedding rings. We lost them to the pawn shop,” Roper said. "That's why it's so significant that we won because it includes two diamond wedding rings.”
‘Still feels like a dream'
For his fiancee, the feeling is surreal.
"I dreamed this all my life, and I waited 53 years, and it's finally going to happen,” Russell said.
Keeping with the triple 7 theme, they'll have seven attendants, 77 guests and tie the knot at 7 p.m.
The lucky number has been popping up all week, Roper said. They also were the seventh winner chosen in the contest. And no one is giving the betrothed flak about the wedding's odd location.
"People are just happy that we're getting married,” Roper said laughing. "Nobody said anything, except, "Where's it at? We'll be there.”
Even the two associates, who are doubling as wedding planners, are thrilled.
"Me and Willie are so excited we can't even sleep,” said Noma Cherry, toy department manager.
"They're a wonderful couple, and we're having a blast doing it,” safety coordinator Willa Rice said.
But the Oklahoma City couple don't expect the triple 7s to bring them any more luck.
"We're already lucky in love,” Russell said.
"People keep telling us to go to the casinos and gamble. Why?” Roper asked. "We've already hit the jackpot!”
‘A memorable wedding'
As a little girl, Candace Presley dreamed of the perfect wedding.
"Then one day I met Matt. We are so perfect together. I have all my heart in this relationship, and so does he,” she wrote in the winning essay.
Although a wedding at Wal-Mart isn't the scenario girls usually dream, for Presley it's a memory she couldn't pass up.
"How neat would it be to tell your kids and grandkids that you got married at Wal-Mart?” she asked. "People have kind of made jokes about the Wal-Mart thing, but I think it's kind of neat and memorable.”
She said her parents both thought it the idea was crazy but are happy for them. Groom-to-be Cauthon said he isn't surprised his wedding will be an interesting one. He said the uniqueness of it all typifies the relationship.
"We like to do things differently,” he said.
Both couples will wed in the lawn and garden departments of their nearest Supercenter. Customers will be able to see the ceremony, but they won't be sampling the punch.
"That's the first thing they told me, ‘Don't think that a customer is going to get to come in and try our your cake or anything,'” Presley said.
Both weddings will be closed to the public.
Presley is hoping the triple 7s bring her luck, something she said all couples need.
"But I think we're going to make it no matter what day we get married,” she said. Both wedding packages are estimated at $5,000 and include wedding bands, digital camera, invitations, decorations, bouquets, a portable global positioning system device and $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.