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Jana Duggar’s Surprise “Elegant” Wedding: The Who, When, and Where

Jana Duggar tied the knot with 31-year-old Stephen Wissmann on Thursday, August 15, in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. The surprise wedding was held at The Grand at Willow Springs, a venue chosen for its picturesque beauty.

The ceremony was described as “classic and elegant,” with 500 guests, including the Duggar family and close friends. This event is a dream come true for the 34-year-old author and television personality, known as the eldest Duggar daughter.

Jana, who has long spoken about her hopes of finding love, looked radiant as she walked down the aisle in an off-the-shoulder ivory satin ball gown. Her father, Jim Bob Duggar, proudly escorted her, while the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” played in the background.

Jana’s sister, Jessa Duggar Seewald, served as maid of honor. The bridal party featured her sisters Joy-Anna, Johannah, Jinger, Jordyn, and sister-in-law Abbie.

The bridesmaids wore champagne-colored dresses that beautifully complemented the simple yet elegant decor of white flowers and greenery. The men wore classic black suits, which added to the timeless feel of the ceremony.

The couple, who got engaged on June 15, chose to keep the wedding decor minimal to emphasize the venue’s natural beauty. “The venue is already so gorgeous and picturesque that I didn’t want to take too much from that,” Jana explained.

The road to the altar has been long for Jana and Stephen, marked by years of faith, patience, and a deep connection that grew over time. The two first met many years ago when their families, both large and rooted in Christian values, connected.

“The Wissmanns would travel and sing,” Jana recalled, mentioning how the family visited the Duggars’ home about 13 years ago. At the time, Stephen wasn’t on her radar, as he was younger and she was focused on other things.

It wasn’t until much later that they reconnected and realized they shared something special. After briefly dating a few years ago, Jana and Stephen parted ways but remained in touch.

Their paths crossed again earlier this year, and it became clear that their feelings for each other had only grown stronger. “What are we doing? We still enjoy each other. We still really appreciate each other,” Jana said of their rekindled relationship.

Stephen’s patience and dedication played a significant role in winning Jana’s heart. Despite her initial hesitations, she recognized his genuine care and love for her.

“I had been a slower mover on it, but just over time, his character, his coming back, still loving me no matter what… I’m like, my goodness, there are not too many people that do that,” she gushed.

During their wedding, the family was at the heart of the celebration, with both Jana and Stephen’s large families playing significant roles throughout the day. For the couple, involving their loved ones was a top priority.

“Coming from two bigger families, we love to be able to get together and celebrate moments like these,” Jana shared. Stephen, one of 13 siblings, shares this close-knit family bond, making the day even more special.

The wedding also reflects the culmination of a journey that Jana has openly shared with her fans over the years. A few years back, Jana had expressed that while she wasn’t stressed about her love life, she hoped to find the right person someday.

“I’m not that worried,” she said at the age of 30. “Yes, I long to be married and one day I think that will come, but I think … I’m just also just trying to stay busy with whatever comes along my path.” During that time, Jana was focused on making the most of her single years, even as she sometimes felt pressured to take the next big step.

Jana also opened up about her dating life in October 2019, admitting that there “have been a number of guys” who had asked her out, but “none of them worked out.” As the eldest daughter, Jana had watched many of her younger siblings marry and start families, which was often difficult. This is what made her wedding even more special for her.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds arrived at their reception venue, where guests enjoyed a formal dinner prepared by Stephen’s family, renowned for their culinary skills. The meal featured a spread of chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and coleslaw.

“Because we’re doing an evening wedding, I envisioned this more formal, sit-down dinner,” Jana explained. “The Wissmanns are incredible cooks. They’ve been working on it, and I’m like, ‘Just do it. I trust y’all. Y’all make amazing food.’” For dessert, guests were treated to a three-tier lemon raspberry cake, complemented by an array of cupcakes.

The reception was filled with lively interactions, including games and heartfelt toasts that added a personal touch to the evening.

One of Jana’s brothers-in-law took on the role of emcee, ensuring that the celebration was full of joy and laughter. The couple’s first dance as husband and wife was one of the evening’s highlights, followed by the traditional bouquet toss.

Now that they are married, Jana and Stephen are excited to begin their life together in Nebraska, where Stephen works. The couple has been working on fixing up a house they bought together, a project that has brought them closer.

“It’s great,” Jana shared. “We’ve been working, he has a little house we bought that we’ve been fixing up and getting pulled together, and so that’s been fun.”

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Blake Christopher O’Donnell pledged a lifetime of love to Teresa Garofalow Westervelt, now O’Donnell, in a magical ceremony on August 16. Enveloped in the support and adoration of their family and friends, the pair said “I do,” and their loved ones could not be more overjoyed or proud.

Breathtaking pictures shared online by the blushing bride, dashing groom, their famous family members, and event organizers depict the event’s charm.

“☁️[Dancing] on cloud 9, and we never wanna come down […]☁️ 8/16/24 was a day full of so much love it could barely be contained! 🥰 We are overwhelmed with all of the love and joy that surrounded us on our wedding day, and our hearts are so full seeing how much fun everyone had!!” penned Teresa in a caption.

Continuing, she gushed, “We [couldn’t] have asked for a more magical day, and are blessed to have so many people who love us.”