In Seven Heaven

The number seven reappears throughout human history in a myriad of forms and almost every culture finds some significance in it. If the number 666 is universally considered to be an "evil" number, then 777 could be its opposite as the universally "good" number. Perhaps it's just a number or perhaps it's magical; maybe it's plain or maybe it's lucky. One thing is for sure: July 7th, 2007—or 07-07-07—will be the biggest date for couples getting married. Saturday is so popular that TheKnot.com reports that 38,000 of its registered couples chose it for their nuptials -- three times more than an average Saturday in July.

Philadelphia-based wedding planner Christina D. Mitchell was overwhelmed with requests for her services on 7-7-07 and had to turn down several couples. "So many vendors and venues were booked up a year out," said Mitchell, owner of Heaven Sent Wedding Consultants. "When I was calling venues for the date, they were almost laughing saying ‘We’ve been booked a year and a half for that date.’ It was really tough to put on a wedding for that particular date."

Karri Miller and Peter Melnychuck, luckily, secured Mitchell early last year for their July 7th nuptials. "One of the reasons my clients decided to pick that day is because of the significance of the number seven," explained Mitchell. "It’s the number of completion, (which includes): seven days, seven seas, seven continents, the Seven Wonders of the World."

Other numeral seven customs include the seven candles are lit during Kwanzaa. Buddha is said to have walked seven steps upon his birth. The Islamic tradition believes in seven levels of heaven. In the Orthodox Jewish tradition, the bride circles the groom seven times to symbolize the seven days of creation. The Big Dipper is formed from seven stars and a ladybug has seven spots. There are seven notes on a musical scale and soon, the seventh and final Harry Potter book will be released. The ancient city of Rome was said to be built on seven hills. There are seven deadly sins, as well as virtues, in some Christian traditions. And gamblers hit the jackpot with the slot machine combination 7-7-7.

Tomorrow, the Pennsylvania Lottery Millionaire Raffle will offer 7,777 cash prizes worth more than $6.4 million when the game is drawn tomorrow at 7 p.m. "Seven has always been a popular number for lottery players, so we decided to celebrate July 7, 2007, with a raffle drawing," said Lottery Executive Director Ed Trees.

Celebrities tying the knot tomorrow include "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria and San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker at a French chateau and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and his longtime companion Gelila Assefa on the Italian island of Capri. Prince will reveal his new perfume line, 3121 (which, if added, equals seven—a number the Artist has traditionally been fixated on), with an unusual hometown performance at Macy's in downtown Minneapolis on July 7. In 1997, vocalist Erykah Badu and former boyfriend André 3000 of OutKast fame, produced a son they named Seven. It should be noted that Badu’s career has been heavily influence by a childhood spent listening to '70s Soul music.

If Cupid happens to spear (and spur) your heart into the nuptial mood, you can try to book a quickie ceremony at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. Although its seven separate chapels are booked for more than 450 couples, there are $77 specials still available for seven couples to get married at the same time. 14 ministers (that’s seven times two) will officiate the package deals offered at 7 a.m., 1:07 p.m. and 7 p.m.

While many couples will count their lucky stars as they celebrate the magic of the number seven, Mitchell notes it is also an easy date for grooms to memorize. "7-7-7—they cannot forget that."