At this Wal-Mart Supercenter, I thee wed
Filed under: Shopping, Recession
Dollar stores aren't the only retailers hosting weddings these days. According to the Omaha World-Herald, the York, Neb. Wal-mart Supercenter played host to its first wedding last week. Crystal Newsome and Robert Vickrey said their "I do's" in the lawn and garden department amid the greenery of the hanging plants. (Watch the wedding video here.)
The couple met at the Wal-Mart store several years ago and both continue to work there. Robert, the grocery department manager, has been with the store for 12 years. Crystal, who manages the deli, has worked there for five years.
Crystal and Robert both have children from previous marriages. Crystal's six-year-old son, Keagan, walked her down the "aisle" while the rest of the extended family and co-workers looked on. (See more photos here.)
Believe it or not, the two aren't the first to wed at a Wal-Mart. In August, a California couple got married at West Sacramento's Wal-Mart Supercenter. They, too, had met at the store and fell in love.
Evidently, the discount retailer has been offering its outlets to employees as low-cost wedding venues for years. And it offers the added benefit of having a whole array of wedding necessities on hand. Wedding invitations start at $19. Wedding ring bridal sets are priced from $59 for cubic zirconia to $869 for a 1/2 carat diamond set in 14-karat white gold.
Need some music for the big day? Wal-Mart also has a selection of wedding music to choose from starting at $10.88, which is a far cheaper alternative to hiring a DJ. If you work at Wal-Mart, you've also got the employee discount working for you.
While some brides-to-be will cling tenaciously to the dream of a lavish church wedding with all of the expensive trimmings, the recession has many couples looking for low-cost alternatives. As fellow WalletPop blogger, Bruce Watson, points out, the average American wedding cost $21,814 in 2008. That's a hefty price tag for the average Joe and Josephine, even without a recession.
Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips and ideas for home decorating using only items from the dollar store.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-03-2009 @ 6:34AM
john said...
after the wedding the reception was held in the electronics department and McDonalds catered the event. Walmart donated a new tire for their mobile home and donated a $25.00 gift certificate to help the couple start their new life together.
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10-03-2009 @ 8:55AM
homogeneous said...
God wouldn't let them in His church?Must of been a minor and He didn't want to get busted.
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10-03-2009 @ 9:21AM
mark turner said...
Check out ''Peopleofwalmart.com".
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10-03-2009 @ 11:21AM
bobpell said...
Great collection!!!! Sad isn't it?
10-03-2009 @ 9:20AM
jskocke said...
This is hilarious! Did I hear the commentator say that the reception was held at the china buffet? That's when you know that it's time to get a better job. Thanks for the laugh.
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10-03-2009 @ 10:31AM
michelle said...
This is nothing new people have done this before. In fact the Wal*mart I work at a couple who met working there got married in our Garden Center this past February.
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10-03-2009 @ 10:35AM
michelle said...
This is nothing new people have done this before. In fact at the Wal*Mart I work at a couple who met working there married in our Garden Center this past Feburary,because they felt that had met there and wanted to share the day with their Wal*Mart family.
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10-03-2009 @ 10:57AM
Laura said...
WOW, talk about tacky. What on earth are these people thinking? lol Wal mart of all places!!! Hilarious!
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10-05-2009 @ 12:22PM
Carole said...
Back the shopping cart up!.....this is by no means a first!
My husband and I met and got married in 1991..during business hours..
in the WalMart we both worked in. The reception was in the break room, food provided by the store (steaks on the grill) the photos were taken by the photo lab and developed before we left. It was broadcast over the WalMart radio to all the stores and we got a hand written congrats. from the CEO himself..we were front page news in our local paper, and just so you know, we do not live in some little town. Laugh if you want but it was the most fun and
to this day, 18 yrs later that people still remember we are the couple that got married in WalMart. By the way, no sales were
made during the wedding, all customers were watching!
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10-03-2009 @ 10:50AM
castle said...
I think that was pretty smart of Wal-Mart letting them have the wedding there. It brought in new customers from the wedding party.
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10-03-2009 @ 10:53AM
Dave said...
Oh my god, that is so tacky. I agree, it might be time for a better job. So nice of Walmart to charge their employees for the pleasure of getting married in the store. That company ruined this country.
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10-03-2009 @ 2:41PM
Bea said...
These folks are smarter than a lot of others that spend the money they will need to live on after the BIG wedding, and all the expensive accessories they have to pay for. All the hanging baskets and greenery around them and it wasn't an expense.
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10-03-2009 @ 11:04AM
Karen Gordon said...
My husband (paul & I) got married 9 yrs ago at my mother-in-laws campground, although he wanted to get married on my birthday i said no,so he had picked July 4th,2000, the weather was great and we throughly enjoyed ourselves , the weddings was beautiful with an arbor and streamers and many friends, and relatives to look on as we got married. the cost was cheap and we have been married now for 9 yrs. so either way if you want that lavish wedding or to get away with it cheap it stll is going to be worth it in the long run.god bless the newly married couple and good for you.
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10-03-2009 @ 11:46AM
Gates said...
I wonder how much Wal-Mart billed this hillbilly couple for their wedding!
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10-03-2009 @ 11:47AM
Fran said...
I AM FOR GETTING MARRIED!
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10-03-2009 @ 12:26PM
Susan said...
I think many of you have it all wrong . A marriage should be meaningful to those getting married . Too many of you buy into the mega production that throws you into lifelong debt . You lose sight of the vows and commitment while worrying about dresses, photos , flowers and the cake . We got married in a retired ministers/CPA living room while wearing blue jeans . My brother and my husbands best friend were there . And we have made it through 36 years of marriage.
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10-03-2009 @ 12:45PM
scoobe2 said...
so tacky its sad. you cant afford a vfw, or to get married in your backyard? whats next delivering your baby at walmart? cleanup in aisle 3. everyone needs to checkout the website peopleofwalmart. com this is what these people had as wedding"guests"
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10-03-2009 @ 12:49PM
dajt57 said...
coincidentally wal mart is burying america too!
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10-04-2009 @ 10:32AM
Krystal said...
Two of my friends got married at the wal mart where I work. Also a few years ago, a manager got married there . Wal mart was pretty good to them, providing food and flowers. I wouldnt complain.
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10-03-2009 @ 1:07PM
Alisa said...
While I agree that a church would have been ideal, I think that this couple's intentions were more along a sentimental vein. Love is love, no matter where you get married.
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