Jill Duggar of 19 Kids & Counting fame married Derick Dillard this weekend in front of more than 1000 family members and friends in Springdale, Arkansas. The crowd included more than 100 immediate family members as well as guests from at least 30 states.
Matriarch Michelle Duggar said the slew of volunteers who both greeted and fed ‘the masses’ saw to it that everything went like clockwork. That clockwork included the preparing of 600 cupcakes, 3,000 chocolate chip cookies and 3,000 root beer floats to be shared with guests following the nuptials.
“I’m so grateful to all the volunteers who helped put everything together for the wedding,” she said during an interview with PEOPLE. “Everyone has worked hard and done an amazing job.
In Duggar fashion, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard courted rather than dated prior to their wedding. According to family rules, the two could hug and hold hands but saved that first kiss for their wedding day.
Congrats to the beautiful bride & a member of our @TLC family, Jill Duggar! She's married! via @peoplemag #19Kids pic.twitter.com/q9ISNGYPWe
— Say Yes to the Dress (@syttd) June 21, 2014
“It was worth the wait,” Jill said, holding hands with her new husband following the ceremony.
Many of the Duggar children were involved in the preparation of Jill Duggar’s wedding in the days before the ceremony.
“I think we should have done more pranks at the wedding,” 15-year-old Jeremiah Duggar said. “But, they did a good job. Derek is my brother-in-law. He’s a good guy. I’m stuck with him now, so good thing.”
Congrats to Mr. & Mrs.Dillard! Jill & Derick are married!! #19Kids http://t.co/fxb24TrwKn
— TLC Network (@TLC) June 21, 2014
In keeping with strong family values and traditions, Michelle Duggar’s wedding gown hung against a wooden backdrop at the wedding reception as did Derick Dillard’s late father Rick’s police uniform. Derick’s mom Cathy is fighting cancer and came to the wedding directly from her hospital bed.
“We want to think about the importance of marriage,” Jill explained of the representations from both families. “And what it means to be married.”
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will celebrate 30 years of marriage later this summer.
Jill Duggar–the new Mrs. Jill Dillard– and her husband left their wedding celebration in a vintage pickup truck filled with balloons and decorated with a sign reading ‘Just Married’ across the back window. As they left the crowd cheered, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
The new couple happily obliged.
Image via Facebook