Jessa was the third of the Duggar children to get married.
At the time of the wedding Jessa was 21 years old and Ben was 19 years old.
Courtship[]
Jessa and Ben Seewald met when he attended her family's church while on vacation in Jessa's hometown. He grew facial hair in an attempt to look older in hopes of impressing her. He soon befriended two of Jessa's younger brothers, Joseph and Josiah. He began working overtime to try to earn extra money to go visit the Duggar family under the guise of visiting Josiah, but would always ask if "the whole family" would be there before visiting. After attending church with the family many times, Ben asked Jessa's father, Jim Bob, for her phone number, and began getting to know her both in person and through text.
On September 9, 2013, Ben asked Jessa's father, Jim Bob, for permission to court Jessa, at the Duggar house in Springdale, Arkansas. Jim Bob gave his permission, and immediately brought Jessa into the room so Ben could ask her too. This courtship proposal, which was featured on the 19 Kids and Counting episode "Flea Market Finale", gained some national attention after being mocked on some late night talk shows and internet gossip sites for its awkwardness.
Jessa and Ben set high standards for themselves during their courtship, allowing themselves only limited physical contact. "Jessa and Ben have said that was the only contact they would have," Jessa's mother, Michelle, said of their rules, "when they initially greet each other, when he comes to visit for their first hello, they have a quick 30-second-or-less side hug and a goodbye side hug, and they agreed that would be the only contact they should have.". Shortly after beginning their courtship, Ben moved into the guest house on the Duggar family's property to be closer to Jessa and avoid the 3 ½ hour drive between them. Ben also worked for Jessa's father, Jim Bob, during this time, doing various jobs at Jim Bob's multiple properties.
Engagement[]
On August 13, 2014, Jessa and Ben went out to dinner with their parents, Jim Bob and Michelle and Michael and Guinn, at Marketplace Grill, where they went on their first date. At this dinner, Ben gave Jessa a gift with the instructions not to open it until the next day. When she opened the gift on August 14, 2014, she found a tablet with a prerecorded message from Ben instructing Jessa to head to the plane hangar where her older brother, John-David, would take her on a flight to his hometown, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Once in Hot Springs, John-David gave Jessa the next clue, and her brother, Joseph, drove Jessa and their sister, Jinger, to the next destination. They arrived at mini golf, where the couple went on a double date with Jessa's parents, and she had to score a hole-in-one to get the next clue. Jessa then had to collect a dozen roses from strangers in the park, which was specifically designed to get her out of her comfort zone. The next clue sent them to take a trolley ride, where Jessa took a quiz about her relationship with Ben. On the trolley ride, Jessa was presented with a special outfit for her to wear. After a day-long scavenger hunt, Jessa and Jinger headed to Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where Ben had set up candles and rose petals down the aisle. Ben was at the end of the aisle and he proposed to Jessa, and she said yes. Their engagement was featured on the 19 Kids and Counting episode "Jessa's Engagement".
Wedding[]
On November 1, 2014, Jessa Lauren Duggar married Benjamin Michael Seewald at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. Although Jessa expressed interest in getting married at Thorncrown Chapel, the location was deemed too small for the more than 1,000 guests invited to the wedding. The wedding was officiated by Mike Schadt. Jessa's dress was designed by Allure Bridals and was a blush color. It was purchased at Tesori Bridal in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Notable parts of the wedding were the ice cream sundaes served at the outdoor reception, the couple's exit to the Arkansas Razorbacks fight song, and their decision to leave the sanctuary before their first kiss, which was witnessed only by a photographer. Their wedding was featured on the 19 Kids and Counting]] episode "Jessa's Wedding" and their YouTube channel.
Wedding party[]
| Bridesmaids | Groomsmen | Ringbearer | Flower girls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinger Duggar (Maid of honor) Sister of the bride |
Dylan McMahan (Best man) Friend of the groom |
Thomas Seewald Brother of the groom |
Jordyn Duggar Sister of the bride |
| Jana Duggar Sister of the bride |
Ethan Seewald Brother of the groom |
Faith Seewald Sister of the groom | |
| Jill Dillard Sister of the bride |
Russ Seewald Cousin of the groom |
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| Joy Duggar Sister of the bride |
Joseph Duggar Brother of the bride |
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| Jessica Seewlad Sister of the groom |
Josiah Duggar Brother of the bride |
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| Danielle Seewald Sister of the groom |
Dan Robinson Friend of the groom |
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| Michelle Seewald Sister of the groom |
Jake Hendrix Friend of the groom |
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| Jennifer Hartono Friend of the bride |
Kolton Kulis Friend of the groom |
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| Amara Query Friend of the bride |
Rob Flowers Friend of the groom |
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| Anna Hackel Friend of the bride |
Ryan Schofield Friend of the groom |
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| Peyton Weiss Friend of the bride |
Honeymoon[]
For their honeymoon, Jessa and Ben went to Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Venice, Italy. Their honeymoon was featured on the 19 Kids and Counting episode "European Honeymoon".
