Houston Community News >> Couples Banking on 7/7/07
6/25/2007-- There's good news
and bad news for Liz Donaldson and Duwayne Suprise on July 7, 2007. The good
news is that they're getting married that day. The bad news is that they're
missing a cousin's wedding on the same day.
Last year there was curiosity galore when the calendar hit the creepy 6/6/06.
This year it's 7/7/07 that is getting all the attention.
At www.TheKnot.com, they're calling it the perfect storm of wedding dates. It
falls on a Saturday, and the positive symbolism behind the number seven is too
great for even non-superstitious couples to resist. The site claims that in
Chinese culture, seven represents togetherness; in Japanese mythology there are
seven lucky gods. And the lineup of three sevens only happens every 100 years.
Plus, it's easy for grooms to remember.
When "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria announced earlier this year that
her wedding to San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker would happen on 7/7/07, it was
already too late for most non-celebrity brides.
Dates had been saved. Halls had been booked. Caterers were confirmed. Richard
Markel, director of the Association for Wedding Professionals International,
figured that 30,000 weddings take place in a typical July. This year, he
estimated 50,000 have been scheduled.
"We think it will be the biggest wedding date this decade," said Markel, who
tracks such events for the association. He recently asked members to e-mail him
about unique weddings locations in their regions that have not been yet been
booked. Any other time he would have fielded 10,000 such locations. His list is
a paltry 400. There are four locations identified for Wisconsin but none in
Milwaukee.
Sought-after reception sites such as the Pfister Hotel and the Bradley Pavilion
in the Marcus Center have been booked solid for months.
Shully's Cuisine turned away three or four requests to cater weddings on that
date, said owner Beth Shully.
The Thiensville caterers are booked for two weddings for 7/7/07, and it doesn't
stop there.
"We got invited to a few weddings ourselves," she said. "Lucky sevens, I guess."
Donaldson, 23, and Suprise, 28, agree with the lucky part.
The Janesville duo is one of seven couples to win a wedding in a national
contest from Wal-Mart.
The invitations are out, and 77 friends and family have been cordially invited
to their nuptials scheduled for 4 p.m. July 7 in the lawn and garden department
of Super Wal-Mart, 3800 Deerfield Dr., in Janesville.
Wal-Mart is footing the bill for the tent, tables, chairs, flowers and food.
Donaldson submitted her winning essay about being in love in April, then found
out a little more than two weeks ago that they won.
She had the dress, but it took some scrambling to get a photographer and a disc
jockey for the date, she said.
"It's about the marriage," Donaldson said. "It's not about how you do it."
No doubt that attitude is shared by the seven couples, including one from
Appleton, who will be reciting vows at 7 a.m. on 7/7/07 at Six Flags Great
America in Gurnee, Ill.
Four couples are getting married; three are renewing their vows.
Each couple can invite 20 guests, and all will be feted at a reception.
Not just for weddings
Of course, lucky number seven has other fans, too. It's no coincidence that
there is a Mind, Body, Spirit Fair booked for 7/7/07 in Phillips, Wis., or that
rock star Prince, who we all know loves symbols, is playing the Target Center in
Minneapolis that day.
Potawatomi Casino is having a super sevens giveaway on 7/7/07.
And Ruth Treisman from Shorewood is hosting a get-together.
"It's just a reason to have a party," said Treisman, a nurse practitioner who
started having annual special-date bashes on 2/2/02. Two years ago, the 5/5/05
party had a Cinco de Mayo theme. Last year for 6/6/06, the party had a blues
theme with barbecue to eat.
This year Treisman is playing off the lucky sevens theme.
The party starts at - what else? - 7:30 p.m. And she's hired Mr. Blackjack to
bring craps, roulette, poker and other casino games to entertain her guests.
She purchased chocolate coins for all to enjoy, and the tent is rented.
A friend of her son's plans to serenade everyone with jazz tunes.
This being her sixth such party, "it's getting a little bigger," said Treisman,
who sent out 100 invitations. "These things get a little over the top."
Treisman still is working on the menu.
She expects to serve Greek food, because when she thinks of Las Vegas she thinks
of Jimmy the Greek. And her family likes Greek food.
Treisman expects to continue her themed parties annually through 12/12/12. She
already has dozens of ideas for that one.
(Contributed by AP)