Take a look at these photos from Jessa Duggar's engagement, which took place on August 14th and aired last night on TLC.
Ben went to a local coffee shop to brainstorm ideas for the proposal in private. His goal was to create a scavenger hunt that would allow Jessa to relive moments from the couple's courtship.
The night before the big scavenger hunt, Jessa and Ben went on a triple dinner date with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and Michael and Guinn Seewald at Marketplace.
Flashback! Jessa and Ben ate at Marketplace on their first date in September 2013.
Now let's get back to the proposal story. After dinner, Ben handed Jessa a package and told her it contained the first clue to the rest of her life. He instructed her to wait until the following morning to open it.
The box contained an iPad, with a video message from Ben explaining the first clue of the scavenger hunt.
Jessa and Jinger embarked on the scavenger hunt by flying with Captain John-David Duggar to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
After the flight, Jessa received another clue. In order to complete the scavenger hunt, she had to get a hole-in-one at a mini golf course, identify Washington D.C. monuments while riding a trolley, and gather a dozen roses scattered around a park.
At the end of the day, Jessa and Jinger met up with the Duggars and the Seewalds for a train ride.
Meanwhile, Ben was waiting at nearby Thorncrown Chapel, where Jessa joined him after the train ride.
"I trust you have had a wonderful journey today, but I trust by the grace of God that another journey is about to begin," Ben told Jessa when she reached the front of the chapel. He got down on one knee and popped the question: "Jessa Lauren, will you marry me?"
Jessa said 'yes,' and Ben slipped a .75-carat diamond ring on her finger. The two shared a sentimental hug.
"It's beautiful," said Jessa, looking down at the ring. The two grabbed hands for the second time ever.
The couple walks outside the chapel to announce their engagement to their families.
Jessa and Ben married on November 1st at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, and are currently on their honeymoon. The plan is to air the wedding on next season of 19 Kids and Counting, but we will keep you updated as more information is released.
Photos: DCL
Ben went to a local coffee shop to brainstorm ideas for the proposal in private. His goal was to create a scavenger hunt that would allow Jessa to relive moments from the couple's courtship.
The night before the big scavenger hunt, Jessa and Ben went on a triple dinner date with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and Michael and Guinn Seewald at Marketplace.
Flashback! Jessa and Ben ate at Marketplace on their first date in September 2013.
Now let's get back to the proposal story. After dinner, Ben handed Jessa a package and told her it contained the first clue to the rest of her life. He instructed her to wait until the following morning to open it.
The box contained an iPad, with a video message from Ben explaining the first clue of the scavenger hunt.
Jessa and Jinger embarked on the scavenger hunt by flying with Captain John-David Duggar to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
After the flight, Jessa received another clue. In order to complete the scavenger hunt, she had to get a hole-in-one at a mini golf course, identify Washington D.C. monuments while riding a trolley, and gather a dozen roses scattered around a park.
At the end of the day, Jessa and Jinger met up with the Duggars and the Seewalds for a train ride.
Meanwhile, Ben was waiting at nearby Thorncrown Chapel, where Jessa joined him after the train ride.
"I trust you have had a wonderful journey today, but I trust by the grace of God that another journey is about to begin," Ben told Jessa when she reached the front of the chapel. He got down on one knee and popped the question: "Jessa Lauren, will you marry me?"
Jessa said 'yes,' and Ben slipped a .75-carat diamond ring on her finger. The two shared a sentimental hug.
"It's beautiful," said Jessa, looking down at the ring. The two grabbed hands for the second time ever.
The couple walks outside the chapel to announce their engagement to their families.
Jessa and Ben married on November 1st at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, and are currently on their honeymoon. The plan is to air the wedding on next season of 19 Kids and Counting, but we will keep you updated as more information is released.
Photos: DCL
awe!!!! that's perfect!! Great job Ben ;) Jessa, so happy for you!!!!! I just love the Duggars! Such a great example you all are to my children!!! Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI am happy for Jessa and Ben. However, have they said where they are going to be living? Also how are they going to provide for themselves. I'm sure Jim Bob's not paying Ben enough money to live off of.
ReplyDeleteGlad they are doing everything different;frontal hug when appropriate, no kiss in front of millions, no cake--these two have minds of their own--love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your show, I just hate how it is way behind with their actual lives. Jill announcing pregnancy before wedding even aired. Jessa 's engagement announced then aired., but already married.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! That is my prayer 'only good for you' as you both travel this life.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story. I enjoyed watching it last night on TLC. Jessa was much more emotional than I thought she would be. Truly God is in this couple's life as well as Jill and her new spouce. Congrats you two. May God give you many wonderful years together. D.Fluty
ReplyDeleteGod bless them. I think you have a pretty amazing family.
ReplyDeleteJessa and Ben, thank you SO much for sharing this moment in your life with the cameras. It was so sweet to watch! I am so, so happy for both of you and can't wait to watch the next chapter of your lives unfold! Congratulations and God bless!
ReplyDeleteit was a wonderful romantic proposal it made me tear up when Jessa said yes. And the anticipation that im sure other felt like i did knowing that Jessa just wanted to see Ben was wonderful. and the spontaneous front hug was so cute god bless Jessa and Ben and god bless your whole family from mine to yours
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the new couple and may you always be happy together in your life as you are now!!��
ReplyDeleteCongratulations �� to the newest couple,may you both always be happy and be blessed!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, i found out more wedding info in a people article.Jessa waited till she walked down the isle for Ben to see her.Ben started to cry with tears streaming down his face.Im soooo glad she waited for him to see her, what a special moment that had to be...wish i was there to see it.
ReplyDeleteLOVED this episode! Looking forward to seeing their wedding.
ReplyDeletehm, they front-hugged! didn't they say that they'd only stay with side hugs?
ReplyDeleteAnd they hold hands before engagement.
DeleteDid they give each other a front hug instead of a side hug to celebrate their engagement?
ReplyDeleteBen, you did a fantabulous job! I loved every second of this engagement show.
ReplyDeletethey just make me smile and feel good.Just love u all so much
ReplyDeleteLoved it I cried I especially loved Ben kept JESUS in it too loved that
ReplyDeleteMy mom and I watched it last night. We loved the proposal.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely precious...creative...imaginative...sentimental & filled with love. I confess~~ I teared up!!! Ben really outdid himself with this plan, and they are absolutely beautiful together! Many years of happiness are wished for them both....oxxoxo
ReplyDeleteSo precious!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, romantic and well thought of! Thank you so much for posting!! Is there anyway you can post jills wedding and jessa's engagement episodes? I would love to see them!
ReplyDeleteJill's wedding episode is currently on You Tube: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhC5uNpmXuw. I don't have cable, so I was so excited when I found this episode. I absolutely loved it. God bless you. Your sister in Christ, Kristin.
DeleteIs this on Amazon? I can't find it yet. I have the season pass. Hoping this will be included! So excited to watch it!
ReplyDeleteNumbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
ReplyDelete24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Where did Jessa get her navy and white polka dotted dress!? It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jessa and Ben ... so loved the "proposal". Thorncrown Chapel was a beautiful location to propose .. God be with you both!!
ReplyDeleteI just read in the US magazine article that Jim and Michelle we caught completely off guard and were in total shock that Ben and Jessa decided not to kiss at the alter, so they begged TLC to edit that out, to make it look like they were in on it the whole time.They said u could see the surprise look on Michelles face.
ReplyDeletefrontal hug!
ReplyDeleteLove the Duggar Family and so happy for Jill and Derek and now Ben and Jessa! Keep us updated. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lily and Ellie for all the work you go to to make these wonderful posts. I definitely enjoyed reading about Jessa's engagement!! how sweet! Will you be able to put the full episode on here too? We are not able to watch the TLC shows on TV, and was wondering if you could post the whole thing like you have before...
ReplyDeleteThank you
Beautiful episode.Just wanna say, there are nine Duggar girls, so there will be nine DIFFERENTweddings.Some will most likely run with no shoes and some wont. If i have to guess i would say Jana/Jennifer wont and Johanna/Josie will, lol! Guess we will have to wait and see about all the rest, hope they are still filming :-) :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 25 I read that story came from a "satire" blog, so the story is not true.
ReplyDeleteThat's the most beautiful chapel I've ever seen! Jessa and Ben should have married there!
ReplyDeleteA 21 year old doing something without consulting the parents? Now that's what rebellion looks like in the Duggar house hold! Next, Jessa will be wearing pants and attending the First Baptist Church in town. . .
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI agree. :)
I would think that Ben, who is only 19, may not be a relaxed public speaker and with the cameras pointed at him, he may be a bit frazzled by it, thus rendering him a bit tongue tied and seemingly not so articulate. I don't agree with many of the things this boy has posted about other Christian faiths, but I do think he may just be a bit nervous being on TV and he probably is more capable in many ways than we viewers are giving him credit for. I hope he really is a nice, sweet guy who will be happy in life...he does, however, need to read up on other faiths and figure out why they do what they do; as it's all scripture based, before mocking it. He seems to be a gentle guy, he just has to grow into himself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing : I love the Duggar family so I really enjoy new pictures!!!!!!!!! Was Jim Bob and Michelle in on the no kiss at the alter thing???????????? Which I liked :-)
ReplyDeleteThat was just a precious proposal. Ben you did a great job of showing your love for Jessa. Every time I see it I get tears in my eyes. It makes you wonder why more people would not want to do things God's way, it really does make you much more happy obeying God's Laws.
ReplyDeleteDo you know when Ben's birthday is?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 25 ~They were surprised by the no kiss, and had to edit IN a kiss later for the cameras to catch, as that was a part of what TLC had expected to film!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching the proposal and must admit, I shed a tear when he finally proposed and Jenna said yes. Jessa and Jill both have married fine young men with quite a creative streak for proposals!! :-)
ReplyDeleteLily and Ellie,
ReplyDeleteWould there be anyway you all could do a give away with the new 19 Kids and Preaching DVD?
I really think people are focusing way too much on if hugs are 'frontal' or 'side' or if they held hands at prayer or whatever... these are adults, in a committed relationship, holding themselves to high standards and making these rules and choices for themselves as they see fit. Beautiful couple, beautiful engagement. Beautiful wedding from what I've seen. I feel a little sorry for any future suitors or ladies courting Duggar kids... seems like everything has be huge and over the top now for TV... :( I preferred the beautiful more simple Josh and Anna days :). Still love the Duggar family! - Heather in Michigan
ReplyDeleteHumble Ben is a very blessed young man. All his efforts have come to fruition. I wish him and Jessa well with all of their continued endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThe journeys of Jill and Jessa from meeting their guys for the first time as per Jim Bob's approval, to courting, engagement and then wedding (and now baby Dillard!) has been simply a delight! I think there's lessons for their viewing audience to learn from the beliefs and standards this family has set for itself. The outcomes are far more positive than other reality show families and that's saying something! But I kinda feel for Derick and Ben only because Jim Bob looked too serious when the approached him about marrying his daughters, as though he had to give it some thought. I don't know why he would appear that way when it was his idea in the first place for his girls to get to know these guys with the prospect of marrying them. Perhaps the producers for the show had something to do with that bit but regardless, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOut of respect for Ben, I believe you should write BEN and JESSA in the front pictures such as for Jim Bob and Michelle and Derick and Jill and Josh and Anna. Men are the heads of the families.
ReplyDeleteI think they did age order, Ben is younger than Jessa
DeleteAgree
DeleteDisagree. Much prefer the Duggar names first. Jessa and Ben. Jill and Derek.
DeleteSuch a great proposal, Ben! Jessa is so blessed to have you! Love you guys!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteVery romantic proposal and the glass chapel was beautiful. Clearly these two are very much in love and it was wonderful to see that captured in that gorgeous setting in the woods.
ReplyDeleteJust saw that you were mentioned on the people.com website, congrats!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet!
ReplyDeleteWill watch this episode many times, I am sure.
I loved it. It was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis was the most romantic, sweet, creative, and beautiful proposal I've ever seen. Well done Ben! Congratulations Ben and Jessa on your future together. You two make a gorgeous couple. I'm so happy for you guys, and look forward to seeing the wedding.
ReplyDeleteThank you the pictures and sharing this! Will be able to put this on here? youtube, where I've been able to watch all previous shows in season 9, isn't allowing anyone to view the ones that people have uploaded for this last episode. I thought they'd let us see the last one, too.
ReplyDeleteI think Ben's idea for the proposal was creative and exciting for Jessa. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteLove the Duggers! My daughter said that Ben has set the bar so high that other young men trying to propose to their girls won't be able to match what Ben did.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so funny that they are color-coordinated by family for that triple date! haha I wonder if they even noticed.
ReplyDeleteA real man hardly cares about what order his name is written.b
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen anything but what is shown on the web site with Ben & Jessa. (Perhaps the west coast is behind schedule.) I think Ben is a romantic planner at heart & Jessa will treasure her scavenger hunt for years to come. I'm sure this will be a story that they can share for generations to come. It was so beautiful & creative. These two young people are great examples for others who wish to consider honoring God in their relationships. I hope that Ben & Jessa will be very happy in their new relationship as husband & wife. May God Bless them & their families! Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Ben Seewald
ReplyDeleteComment #43: I respectfully disagree with you as this is a DUGGAR blog and the biological children should be listed first, as they are the Duggars, not the spouses, male OR female.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful proposal!! Ben is just right for Jessa. I agree that you should put Ben's name first instead of Jessa's
ReplyDeleteEveryone is up in arms about the hand holding and the frontal hug because Jim Bob and Michelle are obsessed with those things already.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 23,
The episode featuring Jessa's engagement is now on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jessas-Engagement/dp/B00P9YCQRM
Enjoy!
Lily and Ellie
I think it only fair that people that don't pay for cable TV are required to pay a nominal fee to watch the Duggars. I pay for cable to watch TLC and a home network (not just to watch the Duggars, but TLC in general). It didn't seem fair people could just go to utube and get for free what I pay for.
ReplyDelete@AnonymousI'm curious too.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy for Ban and Jessa but I think the engagement was not as enjoyable to watch as Jill's because it seems as though slot of it was staged by TLC- Ben was at the Duggar home and the Church and so didn't put out the roses in the park and Ben didn't make those large photos of Washington DC and didn't put up the photos in the trolly either. He was shown at home that day and so could not have done all those things like distribute the notes to all those people. He may have written the notes but was only shown wrapping the tablet, but wasnt shown buying the Tablet nor doing any other preparations. He was shown putting the decorations in the church, but who bought those decorations? It is clear that TLC did a lot of the engagement preparations, and the best part, which was the actual proposal in the church was so beautiful, and was so real, but was the shortest part of the day. I wish they had spent more time there enjoying that precious moment. Maybe they weren't used to having alone time together, I hope they spend a long time on their Honeymoon so they can feel comfortable together without crowds.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 43,
We hosted a "19 Kids and Preaching" DVD giveaway a few weeks ago.
We are blessed to have you as a reader. :)
Lily and Ellie
while it doesnt show Ben buying the decorations used in the proposal, I still comend him 4 including the whole family in the proposal
ReplyDeleteVery curious how Ben could afford such a lavish engagement as a handyman working for Mr. Duggar? This is not reality TV, this is TLC paying Ben's way to obtain viewership. I hope that all young ladies out there don't EXPECT this type of proposal for their lives. You know it cost a lot to put this proposal together. A tablet, fuel and instructor for airplane flight, admission for two to play miniature golf, the pictures on the tram ride, the roses in the park, a train ride with food for both families, renting the chapel for a few hours, the decorations in the chapel, I counted at least 36 candles and then the ring. If most young people proposed like this, they would start their marriage out in debt. Either Ben's dad is rich or Ben went into debt for this proposal, especially if TLC didn't pay for proposal day. Where is the "buy used, save the difference" principle in this situation? Felt this proposal is above Ben's pay grade and perhaps as Jinger said, "Ben set the bar high". Is this an expectation that Jessa had so Ben went to any length to fulfill her wishes on a proposal? Does anyone remember the challenge that Ben threw out to Derick about who would get to marry first? Well, Derick won that challenge but it seems Ben made every effort to "one-up" Derick on the proposal. It was so obvious that Ben was proposing the minute Jessa came down the stairs the night before for dinner. Why would Ben's parents drive that far for a dinner date? The gift that can't be opened until the next day and to be told this will change the rest of your life. Jessa knew. Jessa appeared to me that she was a little miffed at having to do the whole treasure hunt thing. Most girls would have shown some excitement and would be expressing joy. Not Jessa. She seemed so annoyed by the entire day. She should have savored each moment. All she wanted was the ring. Young ladies out there, whatever your future fiance does to propose, enjoy and savour that moment. Not every young man can propose in the fashion that Ben did. Remember that money, things and notoriaty do not purchase happiness. Be thankful for that special man God gives to you. Don't set your expectations for engagement proposals by what you saw on TLC, that isn't reality!
ReplyDeleteoh ya! i am sooooooooooo happy! i have been waiting for this for a long long time
ReplyDelete