'Joe and Kendra Say I Do' Recap

Counting On "Joe and Kendra Say I Do"

• One week before the wedding, Joseph is working on the electrical lines for the house that he and Kendra will live in. Grandma Duggar has owned the house since Jim Bob was a child, and the family recently transported it to the Duggar property.
• “Living…so close to the big house is probably something that we never thought we would do,” says Kendra. “I think that Mr. and Mrs. Duggar will probably be good at keeping the kids not at the house…probably for the first year.” 
• “Joe and Kendra, it might be fine for them, but I just needed a little more space,” admits Austin. He and Joy live 30 minutes away from both families.
• Renee Miller brings the dress down to Arkansas for the final fitting. The Caldwell and Duggar ladies gather for the big reveal.
• Kendra’s mom gets emotional. “Just seeing her in her dress and packing up her things, it’s hard to let go,” says Christina Caldwell. “We’ve raised her for this day, but I don’t think you’re ever ready for it.”
• The siblings share their thoughts about Joe and Kendra:
• “I really admire Joe’s character,” says John. “He’s very disciplined.”
• “He’s a humble guy,” says Jana. “Loves you as you are.”
• “I met Kendra probably seven years ago,” says Josiah. “[The Caldwells] were always happy, always had a smile on their face.”
• When you’re having a bad day, Kendra will quickly change your mood with her contagious laugh, shares Austin.
• The wedding is four days away, and Jana, Jessa, and Joy are making spaghetti, homemade meatballs, and salad for Jeremy’s birthday celebration. Joy is in her second trimester and feeling great. The girls forget to add the herbs, so the meatballs are flavorless. Thankfully, the marinara sauce saves them.“It’s rare these days that all of us are together, so we definitely cherish these moments,” says Jana.
• Wedding coordinator Laura gathers the family to make a scrapbook and build a bench that guests can sign (an alternative to a traditional guestbook). “I was excited to hear that we were assigned a manly job,” says Josiah, who works on the bench with the other guys. 
• It’s time to start decorating the church! Cindy, Michelle’s childhood best friend, is the wedding designer. “Miss Cindy, whatever she gets her hands one, it looks amazing once she’s finished,” says Joe.
• When the rehearsal rolls around, arranging the 22 bridesmaids and groomsmen on-stage takes a bit of time.
• During dinner, family members step up to the mic to share how Joe and Kendra have influenced their lives. “Ever since we were little, Kendra and I have been really close,” says Lauren. “I treasure your friendship and the joy that you do bring our family every day.”
• “…Joe, I’m so thankful for you,” says Joy. “You really did change my life. Just through my teen years, I think I was having a hard time taking my parents’ faith as my own, and you really befriended me as an older brother… It just really meant a lot to me.” Joy gives her brother and future sister-in-law each a big hug.
• The wedding day has finally arrived. Joseph has written each of his siblings a personalized note, and he places them by their beds before leaving the house. Meanwhile, Kendra and Lauren are at their house getting ready together for the last time. “I love everything about Kendra,” says Joseph. “She is going to be the best wife ever.”
• Joe is anxious to see his bride, but Kendra wants their first meeting that day to be their first look. While the bridesmaids get ready, Josie and Jordyn help decorate the cakes, which turn out great.
• When Kendra has her first look with her dad, the tears start to flow. “Growing up, I mostly wanted a future spouse…similar to my dad,” says Kendra, who gives her dad a picture of the two of them and a note.
• Finally, the time comes for the bride and groom to have their first look. “The dress was even more beautiful than I thought it would be,” says Joe. “I didn’t know you could put so much sparkle on a wedding dress. It’s perfect for her.”
• The siblings share marriage advice with the bride and groom:
• “The more you get to know the other person, the more you get to realize, they’re an imperfect human, just like me,” says Ben. “Hardest thing you’ll ever do but also can be the most rewarding,” adds Jessa.
• “Try and enjoy every little thing that comes your way because life changes really fast,” says Joy.
• “Take it all in,” says Jinger.
• “I am very excited about Joseph getting married today,” says Michelle. She and Jim Bob sit down with Joseph to pray with him and give him a few pieces of marriage advice. Joe says that he has always wanted a woman like his mom, who is diligent, merciful, and caring. He has found that in Kendra. 
• Read our recap of the wedding preview for more details of the ceremony.
• It’s go time! Joseph walks his parents down the aisle before taking his place on-stage. Kendra waits patiently at the back of the church with her father.
• The doors open, and Joe begins to sob. “I kind of lost it,” admits the groom, who is not usually a crier. “I was totally shocked,” says Kendra. “It was such a sweet moment.”
• When Pastor Caldwell turns to Josiah for the ring, a friend drops down from the ceiling to deliver it. “This is Josiah, of course he’s going to have some kind of prank up his sleeve!” says Kendra. Both she and Joe love it. “Josiah’s got friends in high places,” says Jeremiah.
• After the vows and unity candle, the parents huddle around the couple to pray over them. 
• As the couple leans in for their first kiss, they are showered with rose petals. “It was the most amazing thing ever,” says Kendra of the kiss. “I forgot about all the people…and it just felt like it was just the two of us.”
• Just before the couple is pronounced husband and wife, the power goes out. Thankfully, they have a lot of candles already lit. The wedding party runs out the back of the sanctuary, and everyone heads to the [now candlelight] reception. The power finally comes back on.
• During the cake cutting/feeding, Kendra makes sure to rub a piece all over Joseph’s mouth. “I was so proud of her for smearing it in his face,” says Christina. “I had encouraged her to do that.”
• Joe and Kendra leave in a red pickup truck, decorated with paint, while guests light their path with sparklers. Next up is their honeymoon in Greece!
  
  A new season begins this summer!