Jana Duggar Says She Will ‘Miss Being Close to Family’ After Moving to Nebraska With Stephen Wissmann

Jana Duggar’s life is changing dramatically now that she’s a married woman. After marrying Stephen Wissmann in August, the TLC personality has moved off the Duggar family’s Arkansas compound to settle into a newly renovated home in Nebraska — but the transition hasn’t been easy for her.

“I’m so gonna miss being close to family,” Jana, 33, shared in a vlog on her YouTube channel on Wednesday, October 9. The footage — shot before her wedding — showed Jana’s sister Jessa Duggar Seewald’s 3-year-old daughter taking a piece of candy from her home’s bowl. “And especially moments like this — my nieces and nephews popping over for a visit.”

Jana had been spending more time in Nebraska working on “house projects” with Stephen, 31, but during her stays in Arkansas, she made sure to prioritize quality time with her family. In the vlog, she was busy preparing for her wedding while also sharing special moments like a 5K race, family ice cream outings, and dance classes.

“Though I’m so excited to be getting married and starting this new life with Stephen, I know I’m really going to miss having my family close by,” she told her followers. “Right now, while I’m back in Arkansas, it makes me really want to be intentional and to make some fun memories with my family and soak up these final weeks here.”

Jana married Stephen in a ceremony attended by 500 people on August 15, in Willow Springs, Arkansas. Jana’s sisters were actively involved on her special day, with Jessa, 31, serving as the maid of honor and Joy-Anna Forsyth, Johannah Duggar, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Jordyn Duggar and sister-in-law Abbie Duggar serving as bridesmaids.

Both Stephen and Jana come from large, fundamentalist families — Stephen’s parents, Loren and Gloria Wissmann, have 13 children, while Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have a family of 19.

“I think it is one of those things that all girls envision someday. For me it felt like, ‘OK, it’s never coming,’” Jana told People before her wedding day. “But now it’s starting to sink in. Reality is starting to set in. And I’m like, ‘Wow, this is truly something that I’ve dreamed of.’”

Stephen and Jana’s plans to marry became public when they applied for a marriage license on August 14, according to court records reviewed by In Touch. Stephen was listed as “Spouse 1” and Jana as “Spouse 2.” The couple had 60 days from the date the license was issued to tie the knot in Arkansas.

Fans had long been curious about when the eldest Duggar daughter would walk down the aisle, especially since many of her younger siblings had already married. Jana and Stephen were rumored to be courting in 2021 after reportedly being seen on a getaway together. However, rumors of a split surfaced two months later when Stephen was spotted square dancing at a party without the reality star.

In a surprising twist, Stephen and Jana were already connected through family before their marriage. Stephen is the older brother of Hannah Duggar (née Wissmann), who is married to Jana’s younger brother Jeremiah Duggar.