Instagram19 Kids and Counting's Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald did not share a kiss at the altar at their wedding ceremony, but someone else did! And it wasn't a true "white wedding," either.
The 21-year-old reality star and her 19-year-old hubby opted to share the anticipated, tender moment in private, which came as a surprise to the guests, People magazine reported. The wedding took place in front of some 1,000 people, including members of the couple's devout Christian families, at the First Baptist Church in Bentonville in the couple's home state of Arkansas on Saturday.
Pastor Mike Schadt introduced the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Seewald and then told the crowd they would not be kissing then and there, explaining why. He then asked Jessa's parents, 19 Kids and Counting patriarch and matriarch Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar, to do so instead.
"So, now you've seen a Duggar kiss," the magazine quoted him as saying.
Jim Bob and Michelle kissed and expressed their love for one another in a touching video posted by TLC on the morning of Jessa and Seewald's wedding day. The event will be shown on an episode of 19 Kids and Counting next year.
Wedding guests did get to eventually see Jessa and her new hubby lock lips. The two exchanged kisses at the wedding reception, according to People.
Jessa and Seewald's wedding was also unconventional in other ways. Instead of a cake, guests were served ice cream sundaes.
"I don't really like cake," Jessa told People, which reported that she ate chocolate ice cream, while her hubby opted for mint chocolate chip.
Also, Jessa wore a blush-tone bridal ball gown, which is actually a growing trend—blush and pink wedding dresses have been worn by the likes of Jessica Biel and Gwen Stefani.
Her wedding dress was an Allure design from the brand's Fall 2014 Modest collection and featured a scoop neck with cap sleeves, a beaded bodice adorned with Swarovski crystals and pearls and a customized tulle and satin skirt, as seen on People.
Older sister Jill Duggar, 23, and Derick Dillard, 25, waited until they got married in June for their first kiss. The two are expecting their first child.
Jessa and Seewald got engaged in August after an 11-month courtship. In accordance with their Christian faith, they had held off holding hands until their engagement.
In another video posted recently by TLC, Jessa and Jill talk about marriage and what it means to them.
"No chaperones!" Jessa jokes, adding. "We're thankful for our chaperones, we really are, but it'll be nice to be married."
In the clip, Jessa also talks about starting her own big family with Seewald.
"I might have more than 19 kids," she said. Probably not all biological. I want to adopt a lot."