Burger King Paid for Their Wedding—Because Their Names Were Burger and King

Some love stories are written in the stars—and others come with a side of fries. That’s what happened when Joel Burger and Ashley King, two high school sweethearts from Illinois, announced their engagement. The kicker? Their last names formed the iconic fast-food brand: Burger King.

When the couple’s engagement announcement hit local news, the internet had a field day. Soon, their unique combination of names—Joel Burger and Ashley King—caught the attention of Burger King Corporation itself.

In a delightful PR move that warmed hearts across the globe, Burger King reached out with a surprise: they would cover all the expenses for the couple’s wedding. Everything—from the venue and decor to custom items featuring the Burger King branding—was paid for. The event even included themed goodies and appearances by costumed Burger King characters.

But more than just clever branding or social media virality, the story resonated because it was genuine. Joel and Ashley hadn’t sought fame. Their names had simply aligned in a fun coincidence, and they had embraced it with good humor. When Burger King joined the celebration, it turned their already joyful occasion into a moment of national cheer.

The Burger-King wedding became a heartwarming example of how brands can engage in storytelling that’s authentic and joyful—without being salesy. For Joel and Ashley, it was a dream come true. For the rest of us, it was a reminder that the world still has room for playful, feel-good moments that don’t take themselves too seriously.

And in a world of algorithms and metrics, sometimes it’s the silly, human coincidences that bring the most delight.