Stop the presses and end the speculation:
Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth are married.
It’s finally true! And oh so exciting!
For the past several days, fans of this reality star have been wondering whether or not she and her long-time acquaintance had tied the knot.
There was chatter just a few days ago that Duggar and Forsyth said “They Do!” on Saturday, May 20, choosing to keep the romantic information to themselves for a bit.
Then, the top social media source for all things Duggar Family (the Facebook page “Duggar Family News: Life Is Not all Pickles & Hairspray”) reported that a wedding had, indeed, taken place.
Now, however, we can state with certainty that the 19-year old and 23-year old are finally Husband and Wife.
How come?
Because they’ve confirmed it themselves!
“We feel so happy and so excited,” the couple told People Magazine after getting married on Friday in a church full of family members and loved ones.
The publication has even included a photo of Joy-Anna in her wedding dress for its exclusive article.
Adds the bride of her big day and her new husband:
“Leading up, it was so surreal until I was walking down the aisle and then I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s actually here.’
“We are going to be traveling for our Honeymoon for awhile.”
The young star got engaged just a few months after announcing their courtship on the special episode of Counting On: Jinger’s Wedding in November.
This is typical protocol for members of this large family, of course.
Due to very strict dating rules, they are barely allowed to do more than whisper in one another’s ears while dating… so it makes sense they’d want to get married as soon as possible once they find someone they like a whole lot.
In Joy-Anna and Austin’s case, they were friends for 15 years before entering into a courtship.
EEEK! It’s Joy-Anna Duggar in her wedding dress, courtesy of a TLC trailer!
“It’s really special that I got to grow up with him and my family knows him really well,” Joy-Anna said of Austin back in February, speaking on their shared history and relationship.
The teenager acknowledged at the time that she’s relatively young to be engaged, but she’s witnessed successful relationships across the board when it comes to her gigantic family.
“Watching my sisters go through that with their courtships sets a really good example,” she told People, adding:
“I was able to ask them just a lot of questions and wisdom about what they did and didn’t do and then just making it special. Showing him how much I appreciate him, it’s been amazing.”
Joy-Anna and Austin, meanwhile, recorded a video for TLC so soon after their nuptials that the former is still in her gown.
(Hence the photo above).
In this preview, the newlyweds tease the June 12 return of Counting On and make it clear that they’re totally psyched to be married.
“Saying our vows and saying ‘I do’ and committing our lives to each other is so incredible,” the bride says. “I am so blessed to be married to him.”
And Austin agrees.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to share my life, its good time and its challenges, with my best friend,” says in the following footage:
How do famous parent Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar feel about the bump in status for their daughter and official new son-in-law?
Pretty darn good!
“What an absolutely wonderful day our family will always treasure,” they wrote on Instagram last night.
“As parents, we could not be more grateful for the godly woman Joy has become, and the loving husband she married!
“We love you, Joy and Austin and are so happy for you both, as you embark on this exciting journey together!”
The wedding itself, along with many other details of this relationship, will be featured on the June 12 premiere of TLC’s Counting On.
And the Joy-Anna Duggar pregnancy talk can begin right now!
This wedding comes after sister Jinger Duggar got hitched to Jeremy Vuolo in November 2016.
And this ceremony followed in the marital footsteps of siblings Jill and Jessa Duggar to Derek Dillard in June 2014 and Ben Seewald in November 2014, respectively.
Finally, guess what:
Joseph Duggar went ahead and got engaged to Kendra Caldwell at Joy-Anna’s reception last night!
It’s true!
“We are super excited. It’s great to not be courting anymore, now we’re engaged!” the couple shared with People shortly afterward.
We send our hearty congratulations to Joy-Anna, Austin, Joseph and Kendra!!!!!
How about one more photo of Joy-Anna Duggar in her wedding dress?
Here it is!
Doesn’t she look gorgeous?