Jana Duggar Marries Stephen Wissmann: In Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on August 15, the 34-year-old oldest Duggar daughter married Wissmann in front of 500 guests in a “simple, classic” wedding.
At last, Jana Duggar’s “dream come true” wedding took place!
The Reckoning The oldest Duggar daughter, 34-year-old on alum, tied the knot with 31-year-old Stephen Wissmann in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on Thursday, August 15, in a “classic, elegant” wedding.
The couple, who announced their engagement on June 15, performed customary vows in front of 500 guests at The Grand at Willow Springs. The bride’s maid of honor was Jessa Duggar Seewald, and the bridesmaids were her sister-in-law Abbie Duggar, Joy-Anna Forsyth, Johannah Duggar, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and Jordyn Duggar.
Two days prior to the festivities, Jana told PEOPLE about her wedding, “I think it is one of those things that all girls envision someday.” “It seemed to me that it would never arrive. It is beginning to click, though. It is beginning to feel real. And I think, “Wow, this is really what I have been dreaming of.” And it is amazing and a little difficult to believe to watch it happen. It is indeed a dream realized.
Jana and her father Jim Bob Duggar danced down the aisle to “Holy, Holy, Holy” while wearing an off-the-shoulder ivory satin ball gown. “The dress felt classy and a bit like a princess,” Jana commented.
The couple wanted to keep the decor at their event basic.
“The venue is already so beautiful and picturesque that I did not want to take too much from that,” Jana elaborates. “The guys will be in black suits, the girls in champagne-colored dresses, and then just white flowers and greenery.”
The couple’s top goal while organizing their lavish wedding was including their loved ones.
“Coming from two bigger families (Wissmann is one of 13 siblings), we love to be able to get together and celebrate moments like these,” Jana explains. “And so, to have all of them there, it just means a lot.”
After exchanging vows in the usual manner and lighting the unity candle, the couple joined their 500 guests at the reception to dine on chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and coleslaw, which had been cooked by the groom’s family. “Because we are doing an evening wedding, I envisioned this more formal, sit-down dinner,” Jana adds. “The Wissmann family is a fantastic cook. They have been working on a comprehensive spread, which they want to execute. I said, “Just do it.” I have faith in you all. You are producing incredible cuisine.”
The bride and groom enjoyed cupcakes and a three-tiered cake with lemon raspberry filling for dessert. During the post-wedding celebrations, one of Jana’s brother-in-laws provided interactive games and activities for the guests and acted as the emcee. Following emotional toasts, Jana threw her bouquet into the audience and the couple danced for the first time.
Wissmann initially made contact with Jana through their families years ago. Wissmann resides in Nebraska with his parents and brothers.
“[The Wissmann family would sing while travelling. They came to our house maybe around 13 years ago, and I remember that they got snowed in, which does not happen very often in Arkansas,” Jana remembers.
“I recall simply spending late nights playing games and working puzzles together until the snow melted and they could return home. Since I am older than Stephen, I do not really recall him all that well, and he was completely off my radar.”
They ran into each other again a few years ago and went on a brief relationship before splitting up. They broke up but stayed in contact and “talked to each other on and off over the years.” Jeremiah Duggar, Jana’s brother, wed Hannah, Wissmann’s sister, during the same period.
Wissmann and Jana did not get back in touch for good until earlier this year. “We thought, ‘What are we doing?'” We continue to enjoy one another. We still think highly of one another,” she remembers.
Jana acknowledges that she was cautious about falling in love, but Wissmann showed that he was the right one.
I had been a slow starter, but in due course, his perseverance, his return, and his unwavering love for me all came together,” she writes. “I understand that we have a large, eccentric family, yet we still put up with a lot. There are not too many people who do it, in my opinion. He has to sincerely, truly care about me.”
She goes on: “It takes me a while to open up, but I think just his unwavering presence through highs and lows.” Over the years, he has been a great friend and has not put too much pressure on me.”
She acknowledges that it has not always been pleasant to witness her younger siblings get married before she did. Out of a total of eighteen siblings, eleven of them are already married.
“All I can say is, ‘What is it?'” Am I the one? Do I have an issue? I have been praying for this for a very long time, and I have definitely been thinking, ‘What is the deal? “Why cannot I just…?” she asks, referring to her siblings, the most of whom were married in their early 20s. “I am by far the oldest. Thus, it has occasionally been depressing.”
“I have tried to look at the positive, but you long for that someone, that someone you can spend the rest of your life with,” Jana continues. Although difficult, the experience has been beneficial, and God has taught me a lot along the way.”
The couple, who recently got married, is eager to start their next chapter together and move in together. After the wedding, Jana intends to relocate to Nebraska to live with Wissmann, who operates a sandblasting and painting company in addition to installing irrigation systems. It is excellent. We have been working together, and it has been enjoyable. He has a small house that we purchased and are renovating,” Jana explains.
Jana states that her faith has always carried her through when she thinks back on her journey to discover genuine love.
“I know that God knows what is best for each and every one of us, even though I have not always grasped what the broader picture is. Thus, getting married later is what is important to me,” she explains. Every one of our tales will be composed in a unique way. Life would be dull if we were all exactly the same. Thus, I find the way God works to be really neat.”
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