Saturday, June 21, 2014

Jill Duggar's Rehearsal Dinner

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard spent yesterday evening with family and close friends at their rehearsal dinner, in preparation for their wedding this afternoon. The couple is expecting more than 2,000 guests.

Jim Bob Duggar admitted that his emotions have been strong. "I've been crying half the day, so I'm making jokes to keep from crying," he told guests at the rehearsal dinner.

Derick's mom, Cathy, is battling cancer and was unable to attend the rehearsal.

"I want to ask everyone to pray for my mom," Dillard told PEOPLE. "Anyone who has been through [cancer] knows what it is like, and if everyone could think of her, I know she would really appreciate it."

Derick is hoping that his mom and step-dad, Ronnie, will be able to attend the wedding today. 

"I would like to speak for our mother and father and say we're very proud of you, Derick, and know you will continue to make us proud," Daniel, Derick's younger brother and best man, told the crowd at the rehearsal dinner. Derick's father, Rick, a former police officer, passed away in 2008.

For dinner, guests enjoyed brisket, chicken legs, baked beans, hash brown casserole, deviled eggs, and ice cream sundaes. Jill and Derick listened to family and friends share memories and marriage advice.

The Duggar kids also put together a hilarious movie reenactment of the couple's engagement.

"We're really, really excited," Jill told PEOPLE. "My sisters have done a great job, and my wedding team of volunteers has gotten most of the wedding planning done ahead of time."

Derick said he been assuring his bride-to-be that everything will work out.

Read more at PEOPLE.com.

58 comments:

  1. Un dolce pensiero per la mamma di Derick e un abbraccio alla giovane coppia che possa incontrare nel suo cammino tanta felicità e serenità

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  2. I'm so happy for all of you! What a joyous occasion. Praise the Lord for the happy couple. I'm a cancer survivor and today is actually my 39th birthday. Every year is another blessing so I will pray for Derick's mother. I know the Lord is shining on you all. God bless and congratulations!

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  3. I know it must seem odd.
    But since America (and parts of the world) have watched you grown up Jill, I guess we feel like "family". Sisters in Christ anyway.
    I could NOT be more excited for you both and for your families. Please tell Derrick we are praying for his mom here in Texas. I pray she is there with you all today and that our Lord heals her completely.
    May your marriage be blessed.
    In Christ,
    The Davis Family - Emily, Marque & Christopher

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  4. God Bless Cathy, Derick's mom. He and Jill are really going to need her. So many happy times ahead. Praying for her and Derick and JIll -- many happy years!

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  5. Oh, no. I can't believe such sad news about Derick's mother. This young man has certainly been through enough in that area. I hope and pray that his mother will be well and attend her son's wedding in good health and strength..May God heal her and bring her through it.

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  6. congratulations. can't wait for pictures.

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  7. I pray that Derek's mom will be well enough to make it to the ceremony. May God grant her the strength and love to make it through the day. I pray she will make a full recovery. May God bless all on this joyful day

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  8. Prayers to Derick and the rest of his family. I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer at age 54. Derick know if your mother is anything like my mother was she will do whatever it takes to get to your wedding. I had my son in a blizzard and my mother made it to the hospital to be with me. If however for some reason God decides she should stay home, know she will be in your hearts with you both the entire day.
    Best wishes to you and Jill today as you start your journey as husband and wife. God bless you both

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  9. I am so excited about their wedding! Please post pictures and videos soon. I'm a huge fan!

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  10. Heartfelt prayers to Derick and the rest of his family. Know that if at all possible your mother will try to make it, however if she can't know that she will be with you and Jill as you start your journey as husband and wife. God bless your families today as you become one.

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  11. Congratulations on your big day today! Thank you for being an inspiration to the young generation to put Christ first in your lives, and do it the way God intended. Praying for you to have a wonderful beautiful wedding, and blessings for all the days to come!

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  12. Jill and Derick look more and more happy as the day draws near. hope your mom gets well and can come. Congratulations.

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  13. This is the first time in my life I have heard of a wedding with 2,000 guests. Phenomenal! I will try to honor Derick's appeal for prayers for his mother that she be well.

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  14. What a lovely couple.

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  15. So sweet and cute! Love the first picture!

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  16. A thousand congratulations to Jill and Derick! I wish you a long and happy marriage and I can't wait to see how your lives will unfold! Much love from North Carolina!

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  17. WHEN WILL THE WEDDING BE UPLOADED ONTO YOUTUBE. THANKS

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  18. Congratulations!
    My advice:
    "Learn to love eachother more when times are hard, never go to angry or mad at eachother, make time for yourselves when its hectic, be honest and become best friends, have compassion, compromise & grow together as husband n wife, stand next to eachother never in front of or behind, never disagree to disagree, make time, have fun, relax & remember never say you can't do something because its all been done before just have faith....listen to your mom Jill, her advice is priceless.
    A family who prays together, Stays together."
    P.S. the first kiss

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  19. Poor stressed Jill

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  20. Dinner sounds yummy! Can't wait to see pictures of the wedding and the dress!

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  21. He is lucky and she is lucky = a good couple

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  22. Best wishes from Philadelphia, Pa. via Orlando, FL. to Jill and Derick for a long and happy marriage! Many blessings! ♡ ♡

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  23. Prayed for you and Derick this morning while I was mowing. Prayed for your future and am expectant of what God has planned for you!

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  24. I am so sorry to hear about Derrick's mother battling cancer. Just so sad. I hope she is able to be at the wedding and hope she makes it through whatever treatments she has. Derrick already lost his father, he needs his mother. I know Jill will be a support to him.

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  25. I wish to add that I was saddened to hear about Derick's mom's battle with cancer. I am keeping her and her family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  26. God bless you both! Enjoy your life's journey together!!

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  27. My thoughts are with the Dillard family and I pray that Cathy can be at her son's wedding. I hope that both families are able to enjoy the day. I really wish Jill and Derick have a lifetime of happiness ahead of them in their lives as husband and wife.

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  28. Hopefully the wedding will televise soon. Thank you Lily and Ellie for your posts and keeping up to date. God bless

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  29. I love the picture of them running down the isle it really shows the happiness they share together.

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  30. Derick, having lost a mom to cancer, my thoughts and prayers are with you today. I hope that your mom is able to share in this wonderful occassion with you, even if only for a small time. Keeping you in my thoughts.

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  31. I can't wait to see the first pictures of Jill and Derick's wedding!

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  32. Good Day, Jill & Derick! Today is your wedding day! You will pledge your love and faithfulness to each other in the presence of God, family, and friends. Praying for a special anointing over all aspects of today, and that others will be blessed by strongly sensing the presence of God in your ceremony. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness and joy! Praying for precious Cathy Byrum, Derick's Mom, for healing and strength. Remember to ring the church bell 7 times after the wedding!

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  33. Are we going to get a picture of the happy couple before people magazine do the story or do we have to wait till there next issue?

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  34. What time is the wedding?

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  35. Oh so excited for you all!!!! How about sharing some of Jim Bobs jokes! :)

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  36. Congrats to the both of you on your wedding! Derrick , your mother is in my prayers! May Jill and Derrick have a blessed marriage and live happily ever after!! <3 I look up to all of the Duggars as they set such a wonderful Christian example. Thank you for all that you do! :)

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  37. Congratulations to Jill and Derick! Can't wait to see the TLC episode of this wedding and their first kiss! Jill's wedding dress is absolutely gorgeous!

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  38. Congrats to a happy couple Best wishes Jill and Derick :)

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  39. I love the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im so sorry for dericks Moms cancar. I cant wait to see the reenactment of enagement.

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  40. I love Jill she such a great role model.

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  41. What an exciting day! Enjoy every moment. May God bless your life together. Looking forward to seeing pictures and maybe watching the wedding if it will be on the show. Congratulations, and best wishes always. 👰💛
    My Uncle's advice to me on my wedding day was: work as hard as you can, laugh as hard as you can, and love as hard as you can....I will pass that on to you and add... Pray as hard as you can, because that is what will keep your marriage strong.

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  42. So happy for you. Praying for frocks mom. Derick and Jill are so humble and grounded with all that God has given you. Stay that way

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  43. Congratulations! What a cute couple you make.
    My thoughts and prayers are with Derrick's mother. God Bless all of your family.

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  44. Our family of sweet little girls and a little boy our so excited for yours and for today for all of you. Love seeing this beautiful testimony and witness. :) Praying incredible blessings over you!

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  45. CONGRATS TO JILL & DERRICK!!! I'm so happy and excited for them and their future. Look forward to seeing them begin married life on the show as we have Josh & Anna.

    Question: Is their wedding site not open to the public as it asks for a password.

    I look forward to seeing all the pictures!!

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  46. Lily and Ellie, I hope you had a great time at the wedding! Were you invited to the rehearsal dinner? God bless your family! Love, Hannah :)

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  47. So sad to hear about Derick's mom. From her appearances on the show, she seems like such a sweet person. I'm so glad that she got to be at the wedding.

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  48. TLC has a 'thank you' video from Jill and Derick at the rehearsal dinner, aknowledging their fans. :)

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  49. What a fun time. Praying for Derick's mom.

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  50. I just love that picture of them running down the aisle. It shows the fun-loving side of them. I think they'll have a wonderful marriage.

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  51. God bless your marriage together! Much love, joy and happiness to come! I am so happy for you!

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  52. I'm very disappointed I made a comment and it wasn't posted and it wasn't bad at all. Not nice because everybody had theirs posted.

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  53. So happy for Jill and Derick! May your marriage be filled with many years of happiness :) I hope one day I can filled someone just like how you to found one another

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  54. My mom died not long after we got married in 2001, and my dad died in 1978, so I understand how Derick must have felt! I wish him and Jill every blessing and pray for his mom!

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  55. May God richly bless you, Jill and Derick, in your new life together. What an awesome couple you are! You will do great things for God. I am eagerly awaiting the wedding broadcast, and I LOVE your wedding gown! Praying for Cathy's complete healing from cancer.

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  56. They are so cute together! So real, not fake and pious. I'm excited to hear more on how they serve the Lord together as time goes on.

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  57. best wishes from italy ! congratulazioni dall' italia!!!!!!!

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  58. Congrats to you Jill and Derrick you are such an adorable couple I love your parents your whole family ,such a good example of a true christian family I love you all, now I'll be waiting to hear that Jana is in a courtship :-)

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