Image Credit: easter.com
Illinois, USA – For many couples, wedding planning is a stressful ordeal filled with budget woes and difficult choices. But for one lucky pair, Joel Burger and Ashley King, their dream wedding was completely covered, thanks to the most delicious coincidence in corporate history: their names.
The couple, childhood sweethearts from New Berlin, Illinois, had been affectionately called “Burger King” by friends and family since they were in elementary school. When they announced their engagement in 2015, the pun became official and quickly went viral.
A “Whopper” of an Offer
The news of the upcoming “Burger-King” union traveled far and wide, eventually reaching the ears of the corporate marketing team at Burger King. Recognizing the unprecedented branding opportunity, the fast-food giant decided to step in.
Burger King contacted the couple via a surprise video call to offer their congratulations. The real shocker came when a company spokesman made the big reveal: Burger King would pay for every single expense of their wedding.
“When we heard about the happy, Burger-King couple, we felt an overwhelming urge to celebrate their upcoming marriage,” a company spokesperson was quoted saying. “On so many levels it felt like fate; they found each other and their story found us.”
Joel and Ashley, who had been together for five years before getting engaged, were completely blown away by the offer.
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The Royal Treatment
The wedding took place in July 2015 in Jacksonville, Illinois, and while the ceremony itself was traditional, the reception became a playful celebration of their famous names.
The entire event was paid for by the chain, turning a great love story into one of the most memorable corporate sponsorships ever. The Burger-King themed festivities included:
- Paper Crowns: Guests, and even the bridal party, were encouraged to wear the chain’s signature paper crowns.
- Themed Favors: The couple handed out custom Burger King koozies, personalized mason jars, and Burger King gift cards for their guests.
- The Dynasty Continues: Despite the fun theme, the bride, Ashley, officially took her husband’s last name, making her Ashley Burger. However, Joel happily declared that the couple would “forever be Burger King.”
Image Credit: abcnews.go.com
Image Credit: abcnews.go.com
The Ultimate Marketing Win
Beyond the sheer novelty, the story of Joel and Ashley remains a masterclass in opportunistic marketing. What started as a local newspaper announcement quickly spiraled into a global news story, generating millions of dollars in free publicity for the Burger King brand.
For Joel and Ashley, it was the perfect “Have It Your Way” wedding—an unforgettable, all-expenses-paid celebration thanks to a name combination that was simply too good to ignore.
What do you think? Would you let a brand sponsor your wedding for the sake of a viral story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Image Credit: abcnews.go.com
