Jana Duggar, the eldest daughter of the Duggar family who stars on TLC’s Counting On, married Steven Whisman in a “classic and elegant” ceremony last week. The couple tied the knot on Thursday, August 15, just two months after getting engaged. The couple exchanged traditional vows in front of 500 guests at The Grand at Willow Springs. peopleJessa Duggar Seewald served as bridesmaid, along with her sister-in-law Abbie Duggar and sisters Joy-Anna Forsyth, Johana Duggar, Jinger Duggar Volo and Jordyn Duggar.
“I think it’s one of those things that every girl dreams about at some point,” Jana told People magazine two days before the ceremony. “For me, it was like, ‘Okay, that’s never going to happen,’ but now it’s really starting to sink in. It’s real. I’m like, ‘Wow, this is something I really dreamed about.’ It’s just so incredible to see it come to fruition, I can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true.”
The hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” played as Jana walked down the aisle with her father, Jim Bob Duggar, in an off-the-shoulder ivory satin ballgown.
“The dress was elegant and had a bit of a princess feel to it,” Jana says.
The couple wanted to ensure that their wedding décor was simple.
“The venue was already so gorgeous and picturesque, so we didn’t want to take away too much from it,” Jana says. “Black suits for the men, champagne-colored dresses for the women, and just white flowers and greenery.”
He added that family attendance is a top priority.
After exchanging vows and lighting the unity candle, the bride and groom attended a reception with 500 guests, where the groom’s family served a dinner of chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls and coleslaw.
“We were having an evening wedding and envisioned a more formal sit-down dinner,” Jana says. “The Wissmans are incredible chefs. They were planning a full-course meal and were working on it. I said, ‘Just go ahead and do it. I trust you guys. You cook great food.'”
For dessert, a three-tiered cake with lemon and raspberry filling was cut into pieces and served alongside cupcakes.
Whissman first met Jana through family members several years ago and dated her briefly before breaking up, but the two stayed in touch and “spoke on and off over the years,” which is when Jana’s brother, Jeremiah Duggar, married Whissman’s sister, Hannah.
Earlier this year, Jana and Wissman rekindled contact and began dating.
“It was like, ‘What are we doing? We’re still enjoying each other and we’re really grateful,'” she recalled.
Jana admitted she was cautious when it came to falling in love, but over time, Wisman proved he was the one.
“I was moving slowly on it, but as time went on, his personality, him coming back and loving me no matter what,” she said. “I know we’re a big family and we put up with a lot of stuff, and my gosh, not many people would do that. He really does genuinely care about me.”
“It takes me a while to open up, but I think it’s because he’s been there for me through all the good times and the bad. He’s been a good friend over the years and he never really pressured me,” she added.
Photo credit: ©Instagram/Janam Dagger
