Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald of the hit TLC show "19 Kids and Counting" tied the knot this past weekend--but surprised friends and family by ditching the traditional wedding kiss.
Jessa, 21 and Ben, 19 had been expected to have their first kiss as a couple at the altar on their wedding day but instead decided to experience it in private.
"As the wedding ceremony came to a close this afternoon and Pastor Mike Schadt introduced Jessa and Ben Seewald as a married couple, guests were shocked at what came next. Or, should we say, what didn't come next," the blog post read, adding that the couple "ran" out of the sanctuary at Bentonville, Arkansas.
According to friends, the couple then spent some time alone and would kiss later publicly at their wedding reception, where ice cream was served instead of a wedding cake.
"I don't really like cake," Jessa, 21, explained when she was planning her wedding. "We wanted ice cream sundaes instead."
Jessa's gown was also not a surprise to guests, as she chose a blush color gown with Swarovski crystals instead of the traditional white.
"It was the second dress I tried on," Jessa said. "I love it."
But the dress was perfect for Jessa, say Tesori Bridal co-owners Lindsey Stavely and Erin Bridges.
"We didn't know if she would like it because it wasn't the traditional white," says Stavely. Adds Bridges, "She kept coming back to this dress and all her sisters were like, 'the second one, the second one,' so everyone agreed."
Seewald wore a navy suit with a bright-colored tie accentuated the peach-colored bridesmaid dresses worn by a group of Duggar's friends and family members, including maid of honor, 20-year-old sister Jinger Duggar.
Us Weekly reports that the ceremony began with a rendition of "Amazing Grace," which played as Duggar and Seewald's grandparents and mothers were seated. The classic hymn was followed by a performance of "Love Never Falls" by Seewald's aunt.
During the ceremony, Duggar and Seewald poured two vases of sand into one "to symbolize their union and togetherness."
Mother of the bride Michelle Duggar told People.com: "We love Jessa so much and are so happy for her."
"It was a truly beautiful, sweet wedding," added one guest. "It was a touching, sacred unity of two people before the Lord."
The young lovebirds are now enjoying their honeymoon together at an undisclosed location and the wedding will air on the next season of 19 Kids and Counting.
