The Bates family, stars of Up TV's Bringing Up Bates have a lot of reason to celebrate as of late. Back in October, the family announced that they would be growing by one. Erin, the third of Gil and Kelly Jo Bates's 19 children, is expecting her third child.
Erin and her husband, Chad Paine, told People that they will be having a baby girl, and a name has already been picked out after they came across it in a book.
"We are overjoyed to be adding baby Everly Hope to our family this April," Erin said. "She is already loved and adored so much. Our hands are full with two little ones-the giggles, slobbery kisses, and yes, the diapers! We know it will be quite an adventure, and we are definitely anticipating her arrival. We are grateful, so very grateful."
Two months after Erin and Chad's happy news, her 21-year-old sister,Tori, tied the knot with her fiancé of three months, Bobby Smith.
The couple first met through a mutual friend in 2015, but didn't officially start their courtship until November 2016. Smith was attending college at the time, so their relationship was long-distance until he graduated and moved to Tennessee this year.
"We've been looking forward to this day for so long and it's finally here "” we're engaged!" the couple told People back in September. "The day could not have been more magical, and the moments we shared will never be forgotten."
A few months after their engagement, the conservative couple got married in Knoxville, Tennessee, and shared their first ever kiss in front of 700 of their closest family and friends, including the Duggars.
Tori and Bobby said "I do" in a Christmas-themed ceremony on Saturday, December 16 at the Bates family church, Calvary Baptist. The couple who never kissed while courting finally locked lips at the altar in what they described as "the wedding of our dreams."
"We're so grateful to God for His love and the love and support we received from our family and friends that helped us celebrate this magical day, " the couple told People. "We couldn't be happier about sharing the rest of our lives together."
Tori's mother was responsible for the decor and opted to fill the church with white-painted Christmas trees from the Bates family farm, according to People.
The blushing bride walked down the aisle to the tune of Christina Perry's "A Thousand Years," and her father, Pastor Gil, officiated the ceremony. Tori joked that she was "messing it up," but the pastor reassured her that she wasn't.
"This is your day, you're not messing anything up. I'm proud of both of you," Gil said.
Tori's brother, Lawson sang an original song called "One Plus One" at the ceremony, but that was it as far as entertainment went. There was no dancing or other form of entertainment at the reception since that would go against the family's beliefs.
However, there was plenty of food and treats for all 700 hundred of their guests, including a baked potato bar, sweet tea, lemonade, as well as Tori's aunt's special blueberry cake.
Tori's wedding dress was designed by Renee's Miller, the owner of Renee's Bridal, who also created dresses for Jinger and Joy-Anna Duggar's nuptials.
The couple haven't released photos of the decor and guests just yet, so we'll just have to stay tuned.
Congratulations to the Tori and Bobby!
