The Duggar family from the now-cancelled "19 Kids and Counting" show were quite excited to attend the wedding of Christian reality star Michaela Bates from "Bringing Up Bates" to Brandon Keilen, with Jim Bob and Michelle's eldest daughter Jana even serving as their bridesmaid.
"We have had a wonderful time in Tennessee with our dear friends, the Bates, for Brandon and Michaela's wedding. We love these friends so much and we wish Brandon and Michaela much joy and a lifetime of happiness. I know their deep love for God will guide them as they build a wonderful marriage," they wrote on their Facebook page, and added that "for now we are still celebrating!"
Even Jill and her husband Derick Dillard and son Israel David took a short break from their new ministry in Central America to attend the wedding. Pregnant Jessa and her husband Ben Seewald were also present during the occasion, and they told the happy couple: "Marriage is awesome and you're going to love it!"
"It's wonderful to spend each day with your best friend, so keep God in the centre of your relationship, stay focused on that, and everything would fall into place," Jessa said.
The Duggars and the Bates have been close family friends since their children were only four feet tall. When the Duggars suffered a blow following the rehashing of Josh Duggar's child molestation past, which led to the cancellation of their TLC show, "Bringing Up Bates" patriarch and matriarch Gil and Kelly Bates felt saddened for their friends and offered them prayers.
"We are praying for our dear friends," they said. "We respect their privacy and have no further comment at this time."
