When Krystal Jones began planning her wedding to all-time 76ers fan Ray Jackson, she didn't realize what it meant to marry into the Jackson family.

Known for their lifetime season tickets at half court, the seven Jackson brothers, Terrell (54), James (50), Jon (47), Karsten (47), William (40), Derek (34), Ray (29) and Calvin (26) often paint the letters I-V-E-R-S-O-N on their chests and making larger-than-life cutouts of star guard Allen Iverson. They've never missed a game, and local fans believe that some of the team's success is because the Jackson brothers have always been there to support them. They are local legends.

When Krystal and Ray met, he told her about his obsession with the team, and Iverson in particular. At the time it seemed natural since the 76ers were doing so well. After a brief courtship, Ray proposed, and Krystal accepted.

It wasn't until the couple started planning the wedding that Krystal realized what she was getting herself into.

“At first, I thought it was really sweet that he wanted to be a part of the planning, ”Krystal said. “So many of my girls have gotten married and have had to plan the whole thing themselves that I thought having Ray's help would be a blessing.”

At first, Ray only made small suggestions regarding flowers, color schemes and tableware. “He wanted predominately gold, with some red and blue accents.” Krystal added that at first, she didn't even realize the color scheme looked familiar.

Two months before the wedding, Ray surprised her by picking up her wedding dress from the bridal shop and hand-delivering it to her at the Wills Eye Hospital, where Krystal works as an office administrator.

“When she took it out of the box, I thought she was going to throw up,” said Jackie Lawrence, one of Krystal's coworkers. “We were all just staring at it — no one knew what to say.”

The dress Ray delivered was the one that Krystal had ordered, but Ray had brought it to a family friend to embellish the front bodice with a 76ers logo and a #3, Iverson's jersey number.

Krystal said she was a little shocked to see her dress with the sports logo, but she quickly got over it.

“I really think he was just trying to help, and I'm going to wear the Iverson dress if Ray wants me to.”

Other Iverson-inspired suggestions Ray has made for the May wedding include having a life-size cutout of Iverson at the head table, a projection screen featuring Iverson's “Best Of” reel, and asking 76ers head coach Maurice Cheeks to act as minister and preside over the nuptials.

Jackson said he also sent special invitations to the team hoping that some of them would come, “at least to the reception.” So far, no one on the team has RSVP'd, but Jackson is still hopeful that Iverson or one of his teammates will show up.

“It would just make my day so special,” he said. “Everyone always tries so hard to make it a perfect day for the bride, and don't get me wrong, I want her to have a good day too, but this is my wedding too, and I want Allen Iverson to be there!”

Iverson was not immediately available for comment, but later released a statement to the media asking for their vigilence in keeping Jackson, whom Iverson referred to as “my crazy SOB stalker” from knowing his whereabouts.

Iverson claims that he did receive the wedding invitation, as well as photos of Jackson in compromising positions in various states of undress.

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