Oklahoma City Couple Chosen to Wed in the Wal-Mart Aisles on 7/7/07

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oklahoma City couple Oliver Roper and Debra Russell are "lucky in love" after learning they are one of only seven couples across the country that will be married at their local Wal-Mart store on one of the most sought-after wedding dates in recent years. Wal-Mart stores and G-Squared, a Wal-Mart exclusive brand from Gartner Studios, announced the names of the seven couples receiving such wedding packages earlier this week as a result of their "Lucky in Love Wedding Search."

When Wal-Mart Stores discovered many of its betrothed customers were having difficulty finding venues for their July 7 -- or 7/7/07 -- weddings due to the popularity of a "lucky 7" date, they joined G-Squared to provide a solution. In addition, the cost of the average American wedding can be overwhelming at $22,000(1). The answer was the "Lucky in Love Wedding Search" to provide seven couples their local Wal-Mart lawn and garden area as the colorful backdrop for the ceremonies and receptions. After reviewing more than 400 entries from across the country, Oliver and Debra were selected to say "I do" at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 7800 N.W. Expressway.

Oliver and Debra met in July seven years ago and hit it off right away. After dating for awhile, Oliver proposed to Debra on a magical evening while they were out dancing. The couple is thrilled to be able to invite their friends and family to their 7/7/07 wedding.

Had Oliver and Debra not won Wal-Mart's "Lucky in Love Wedding Search," Debra's dream wedding may not have happened for quite some time. Recently, while in the middle of some financial hardships, both Oliver and Debra had to pawn the wedding rings they purchased for each other. Unable to get them back, the couple had to postpone their wedding indefinitely. Now, with "lucky 7's" on their side, Oliver and Debra will be treated to a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception plus a wedding package that provides everything from the wedding invitations to the food -- and most importantly, wedding rings!

"I met my fiance, Debra, seven years ago in July -- the seventh month," wrote Oliver in his Lucky in Love Wedding Search registration entry essay. "When I look back on it, it must have been love at first sight because we are still together. I love Debra and think she deserves her childhood dream of having a wedding and being given away by her father."

"We understand that a couple's wedding day is a major celebration and we're thrilled to be a part of such an important day in their lives," said Andy Barron, Wal-Mart senior vice president of merchandise. "All of us at Wal- Mart are excited to be hosting these events and wish each couple every good fortune in their futures together."

Oliver and Debra will receive a wedding package with an estimated value of more than $5,000. The package not only includes the decorated wedding venue in Wal-Mart's colorful lawn and garden area, but also an adjacent tent for the reception area, wedding cake and reception food. The package also includes the bride and groom 14kt Gold and diamond Keepsake wedding bands, wedding invitations, fresh floral bouquets, digital camera and digital photo frame, portable GPS device and a $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.

"We are predicting that twice the number of brides as other Saturdays in July will marry this July 7, and many facilities were booked well over a year in advance," said Richard Markel, Director of the Association for Wedding Professionals International (http://www.afwpi.com/). "Wal-Mart has provided a great opportunity -- and solution -- for Debra and other brides; without this opportunity, they might have had to settle for another, less memorable date."

The six other couples receiving weddings include: Michael Lefevers and Rachel Evans of Lebanon, OR; Caleb Anthony Cox and Ella Glass of Charlotte, NC; Matthew Cauthon and Candace Presley of Gore, OK; Billy Guidry and Kymberlie DeRouen of New Iberia, LA; Duwayne Surprise and Liz Donaldson of Janesville, WI; and Jimmie Lee Cottrell and Katessa Burtch of Kokomo, IN.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/, http://www.walmartstores.com/, or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.

About G Squared/Gartner Studios

Founded in 1998, G Squared/Gartner Studios is a creative design studio and stationery company based out of the river town of Stillwater, Minnesota. The headquarters are located in the historic 100 year old Stillwater Post Office building. G Squared branded products are sold exclusively through Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Gartner Studios currently provides stationery products, print-your-own products and related categories for all major mass merchants, party suppliers and office super stores. Our products can also be found online at most major online retailers, as well as through our own store, http://www.gartnerstudios.com/shop.

(1) National Association of Wedding Ministers