Between shelves of pool supplies and flower pots, a crowd of Wal-Mart employees and shoppers gathered to witness a wedding they won't soon forget.

William Guidry and Kymberlie Derouen, both of New Iberia, got married Saturday in the lawn and garden center of the New Iberia Wal-Mart.

The couple was one of seven in the country to win a $5,000 wedding package as part of the store's "Lucky in Love Wedding Search" essay contest.

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"It's been a blessing for us," said Brent Derouen, the father of the bride. "Kymberlie's very talented. For her to be one of seven winners in the United States was a big deal."

The wedding went much like the typical ceremony, save for the surroundings.

The couple exchanged their vows under a decorated arch near the checkout counter, and flowers and ferns concealed merchandise along the aisle.

"I came shopping here last night, and there was nothing," Brent Derouen said. "To walk in here this afternoon, it wasn't anything like I expected. It was a class act."

The bride and groom agreed. Both said they were happy and relieved following the ceremony.

"It was amazing," Kymberlie Derouen Guidry said. "It was a million times better than I thought it could be."

Derouen said she had initially planned to get married at Disney World. When she learned about the opportunity to use her writing skills in the essay contest, the offer was too good to pass up.

"I was ecstatic," she said. "A free wedding - no stress."

Justice of the Peace Johnny Hebert said he was just as excited to preside over the wedding, both because of the families involved and the setting.

Of the 2,766 weddings he's performed, Saturday's was the first to be held at Wal-Mart.

"To be able to do it here is like hitting the lottery for me," he said. "It was very exciting. My heart's pounding as though I've just run a marathon."

Michael and Theresa Dore were among about 50 curious customers who watched the ceremony from the garden center entrance.

Theresa Dore said she had no idea a wedding would be taking place until they arrived at the store to do some shopping Saturday night.

"I saw a photographer and the bride in a dress walking down the aisle," she said. "I love weddings, (so) I had to watch."

Wal-Mart market manager Tommy Watkins said the ceremony was a treat for the store's employees as well.

"It sure doesn't look like the typical Wal-Mart garden center," Watkins said. "The associates have really gone above and beyond to be sure it was ready."

The wedding was actually the second to take place at the store in recent years. A couple who'd met there shortly after it opened exchanged vows as well.

"It was unexpected," Brent Derouen said of the venue, "but it's not about where you're having it. It's the meaning behind the wedding."

Guidry and Derouen rekindled their love about two years ago, when Derouen helped Guidry repair damage to his home following Hurricane Rita.

During the cleaning process, they found a love letter she had written him when they were dating. They interpreted it as a sign they belonged together forever. The letter now hangs framed in their home.

The couple have one, 16-month old daughter, Emma. They plan to honeymoon at Disney World.