'Josiah and Lauren's Prank-less Wedding?' Recap

Counting On "Josiah and Lauren's Prank-less Wedding?"

• One week before the wedding, Lauren says she is on the edge of her seat. She appreciates Josiah’s leadership qualities, and Josiah appreciates that Lauren is always there for him.
• Josiah and Lauren each write down 52 reasons why they love the other so they can read one every week during their first year of marriage.
• In Texas, Jinger (about 30 weeks along in her pregnancy) and Jeremy take a birthing class with their midwife, during which they practice different labor positions and breathing techniques. “It’s definitely sinking in after this class that the baby is soon to be here,” says Jeremy.
• Of labor and delivery, Austin says: “It’s our time to show her how much we care about her.”
• Lauren’s sister Lily, the second oldest in the Swanson family, hosts a coed tea party in honor of the bride and groom. She goes all out with fine china and lots of tea and tasty food.
• The guests, members of both sides of the family, are all dressed in fancy clothes. Ben compares it to a Jane Austen film.
• Family and Friends gather at the Cathedral of the Ozarks (the same venue where Jinger and Jeremy had their wedding) to help Michelle’s childhood friend Cindy, the wedding designer, set up for the big event. The décor will be a surprise for the bride and groom. The Duggar brothers visit the grocery store to buy items to trash Josiah and Lauren’s getaway car.
• The day before the wedding, even more family members and friends arrive to help. They make 1,000 strawberry shortcake cupcakes (200 gluten-free because Lauren and her mom are gluten-free and 800 regular). They also whip up a gluten-free strawberry shortcake wedding cake.
• Right before the wedding rehearsal, Cindy unveils the decorations to Josiah and Lauren. The greenery and backdrop are in honor of Lauren’s childhood horse, Princess. They both love it.
• At the rehearsal, Dwain requests that no pranks be played inside the sanctuary, and he asks that everyone raise their hands to promise. The siblings raise their hands, although they don’t quite agree with it.
• “I told Jeremy, I was like, ‘I feel like this is an injustice,’” says Jinger. “It’s really hard to refrain from doing anything at Josiah’s wedding, but he kind of deserves it.”
• “We’re like, that’s not right,” says Jana. “Sorry, buddy, but you have it coming.”
• On the morning of the wedding, Josiah and Lauren show up at the church together, and then they part ways to get ready. Lauren has decided to only get ready with her mom. “I knew it would be crazy that day, and I knew I’d want some quiet time,” says Lauren. Lauren’s mom has encouraged her to remember to treat her husband better than anybody else in the world.
• Ahead of the ceremony, Josiah and Lauren have their first look inside the sanctuary. It’s a slightly awkward moment, as first looks often are, but they are both beaming. They pray together, and then it’s go time.
• Lauren and Dwain walk down the aisle to “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” Before she joins Josiah, Lauren reads a note that she wrote for her dad, expressing how much she loves him. “My dad and I are very close,” says Lauren. “He and Josiah are the only two people who can calm me down.”
• After lighting the unity candle, signing the marriage certificate, and praying together, Lauren and Josiah are ready for their first kiss. “A lot better than the hand,” Josiah says afterwards. He admitted to having practiced the kiss on his hand.
• At the reception, the bride and groom feed each other cake. Josiah wants to “get” Lauren, but Lauren beats him to the punch be smearing it on his nose.
• “You’re not supposed to have a favorite wedding, but this is my favorite wedding,” says Jessa. “You could just see the affection, the tenderness, the love.”
• When Josiah and Lauren arrive at what they think is their getaway car, they remove the wrapping paper and then realize it’s a junk car. Their actual getaway car, a Camaro, is covered in sticky notes.
• The couple is headed to Austria for their honeymoon. “It really was a neat feeling, driving away just the two of us,” says Lauren. But the brothers have one more prank in store. Justin is hiding in the backseat! They quickly let him out and are on their way.
• At the end of the show, John introduces viewers to Abbie Burnett. “I want everyone to know that I love John,” says Abbie. laughing. “I'm a nurse. I’ve worked with geriatrics for several years, and I love that. I love my family. That’s about it.”
• Although the Duggars have known of the Burnetts for about 18 years, the family only officially met Abbie one month before Josiah’s wedding. “They were shocked,” says John of the moment when he brought Abbie home, just two weeks after meeting her himself. He says that Joy started bawling and gave him a big hug.
• “We met on a Sunday,” says John. “I kind of confirmed our interest in each other on Monday, and then the next Monday, so a week after, we began courting. If you know it’s the right one, don’t wait around.” “If the light’s a green, you go,” agrees Abbie.