'Counting On' star Josiah Duggar enjoys his first ever kiss on wedding day

The reality TV show aired its latest wedding special the night of July 30, featuring the nuptials of Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson, who both reportedly experienced a kiss on the lips for the first time in their lives.

21-year-old Duggar and 19-year-old Swanson tied the knot a month prior to the wedding episode at John Brown University Cathedral of the Ozarks, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Swanson’s leading the ceremony, reported Pop Culture.

One of the most expected moments for the newlyweds was when they were allowed to share a kiss on the lips for the first time, as the family tradition forbids any kind of physical contact for non-married couples, according to Daily Mail.

During the courtship phase of their relationship, the couple only got as far as side hugging each other, as the Duggars are also forbidden to hold hands before marriage.

Duggar shared how difficult it was for the two of them to wait for the big day, comparing him and his now-wife with ‘two magnets.’ Read more on our Twitter account @amomama_usa

The episode marked the start of Counting On’s eighth season, and the groom’s sister Jessa gave an exclusive interview to People to comment on what the season will bring to their fans. The subject of her brother’s wedding was a focal point.

‘Lauren is such a sweetheart and we already consider her as one of the sisters,’ revealed the 25-year-old.

Josiah and Lauren officially announced they were ‘courting’ in January 2018. As Josh Duggar explained in 2014, the Duggar’s don’t date, but they enter a courtship period under family supervision as a ‘path toward marriage.’

According to Lauren’s calculations, her entire relationship with Josiah, from friends to married couple has just been nine months long.

After showing the wedding ceremony, the episode did a flashback montage that featured the Duggar family preparing for the courting process to officially start. Then, it moved on to focus on Joe and Kendra Duggar’s honeymoon.