Monday, July 2, 2007
The commercial: A man trying to open his garage door forgets the keypad code. Over his shoulder, he asks his wife for the number. She simply says it’s their anniversary. The man, feigning recognition, turns back to the keypad and, terrified, stares at the numbers in blank bafflement.
For Lance Willmann, 29, the solution to such a problem is simple: Get married on an unforgettable date, 7/7/07. Not only is it the most popular date to wed this summer, but it is a godsend for forgetful husbands.
“I’ve been engaged for the last two years and none of my guy friends have forgotten the date,” said Willmann.
Besides being easy to remember, the consecutive sevens in the date are considered lucky. It has become a blessed day for brides, grooms and local businesses.
Christa Vagnozzi, senior editor for The Knot magazine, said, on an average Saturday in July, approximately 12,000 couples get married. But for 7/7/07, more than 38,000 couples plan to tie the knot, making it the biggest wedding date in history according to The Knot. Couples across the country are choosing this unique date and incorporating different themes like Vegas and “lucky in love.”
“It’s fun for it to become our big day. And it will become a big day for a lot of people,” Willmann said.
Originally, Willmann and his fiancé Reagan Mainz, 22, planned to get married on July 14. After checking the calendar and noticing the triple sevens, Willmann suggested the couple move the nuptials up a week. Despite the date’s popularity, Willmann and Mainz said they have had no trouble planning the event.
“We did not have a lot of problems booking things because we started early. Last year we went to a bridal fair, which really helped,” Willmann said. “I’m sure if we waited it would have been difficult.”
Local businesses also prosper from the lucky date. Jerry Yates, owner of Randall’s Formal Wear, said this was the first time July had beaten out May and June for hosting weddings. He estimated Randall’s July business had increased three times as much because of the “seven phenomenon.”
“We really enjoy helping make their special day count,” Yates said. “The more the merrier. And we are thankful for the increase in business”
Larry Ojeleye, owner and manager of Affordable Limousine Service, has been asking himself why everyone wants this date. Affordable Limousine, 952 N. 3rd St., has booked four limousines for weddings on 7/7/07. It is the business’ busiest weekend in July. Ojeleye said he usually expects this kind of demand only in June.
Ashley Roth, cake decorator at the 6th Street Hy-Vee, said two wedding cakes are ordered for 7/7/07. One reservation was made a year in advance. Roth, Olathe senior, said many people reserved the date but most cancelled because of difficulties finding venues. Roth, who has heard brides-to-be at the bakery complaining about booking troubles, thinks the date’s popularity has scared everyone off.
One couple avoided the planning stress associated with 7/7/07 by choosing 7/6/07 as their nuptial date. Amy Smith and Andrew Hill, 2005 KU alumni, first considered getting married on July 7. Smith said she reserved a venue but had trouble getting a florist and photographer. Because of the short amount of time to plan — he proposed in December — they opted to wed on July 6, which was also their dating anniversary.
— Edited by Joe Caponio
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