SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Burger King is paying the expenses and providing gifts for the wedding of an Illinois couple with an interesting connection to the fast food restaurant chain. Joel Burger and Ashley King accepted the company's proposal Monday.

The State Journal-Register reports that the couple has been known as Burger-King since they were in the fifth grade together, in New Berlin near Springfield.

The couple announced their engagement this spring with a photo next to the sign at a local Burger King restaurant. Although a woman's name usually comes first in an engagement announcement, they decided to flip their names.

A Burger King spokesman says the company felt an overwhelming urge to help the happy couple celebrate their upcoming marriage.

The Burger-King nuptials will be held July 17 in nearby Jacksonville.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com