Chelsy and John Maxwell 2: On to the Honeymoon Somewhere Warm

[Elegant Mess]

12 minutes ago, Captain Obvious said:

They had 500 guests so I think they had a few left over. 

IIRC, there were also an average of 700 people watching the live stream at any given time.  If any viewers were outside the US, then it was the vasectomy reversal heard 'round the world!  

Re:  preference for small wedding parties:  I totally agree, having been part of a large one myself!  I think the bride may only now be friends with one of the five bridesmaids, and she isn't me.

[Odd1Out]

I didn’t see the livestream, only going off the comments here and Instagram pics. 

Do you think it’s possible the Bontragers really don’t like Steve? Maybe the whole vasectomy story was meant to embarrass him. Maybe they think he’s a total stick in the mud. ??

i still think Chelsy and John ran out to have a private kiss before they were officially married  because I think that’s the only kind of rebellion they felt brave enough to do. Either that or he had to go reassure her that she will not have to live by Steve’s rules after they were married  

i don’t remember seeing pics of Terie showing affection towards her kids so the clinging to John is really odd  

 

[SolomonFundy]

I would love to see regrettable vintage wedding pics if anyone wants to share! I adore weddings. Especially from afar.

The Maxwell response to this glorious union so far has been misguided, petty, socially awkward, and void of emotion or warmth. So basically, it's been business as usual. 

[johnhugh]

Any chance anyone could do a synopsis? My best mate was coming round for New Year’s Eve then cancelled so I had too much Grape Juice. on my own. I’ve only ascertained that Stevie spoke about his Scrotum - hope it was shaved Stevie 

[usmcmom]

52 minutes ago, johnhugh said:

Any chance anyone could do a synopsis? My best mate was coming round for New Year’s Eve then cancelled so I had too much Grape Juice. on my own. I’ve only ascertained that Stevie spoke about his Scrotum - hope it was shaved Stevie 

Oh no; Steve did not talk about his own scrotum.  That would have been inappropriate.  

Mr. Bontrager (Marlin? Marvin? Martin? Merlin? Melon?) talked about Steve's scrotum.

Because *When thou talketh about a man's loins thou shalt not talketh about ones own.  Rather, thou mayest talketh about the groin of thine brother, especially if one sitteth in the House of the Lord.*

This is found in  the Barnum and Bailey version of the Bible because surely this wedding was one big freaky circus!  

 

 

[Elegant Mess]

1 hour ago, johnhugh said:

Any chance anyone could do a synopsis? 

The short, short version:

*  Bride plays music after walking in, and the crowd has a pretty decent sing-a-long.

*. Eleventy bridesmaids (several pregnant) and groomsmen

*. Chelsy was indeed barefoot 

*. Papa Bontrager bloviating, wherein we were treated to the now- famous vasectomy reversal speech.  The other Reversal Kids were asked to join John on stage.

*. Chelsy supposedly left her vows in the bathroom 

* Rings delivered via drone

*. Lots of carrying of female wedding party members by male party members during the recessional

* A female photographer

*. No death sermon or words from Steve

Friends, did I miss anything?

[Captain Obvious]

9 minutes ago, Elegant Mess said:

The short, short version:

*  Bride plays music after walking in, and the crowd has a pretty decent sing-a-long.

*. Eleventy bridesmaids (several pregnant) and groomsmen

*. Chelsy was indeed barefoot 

*. Papa Bontrager bloviating, wherein we were treated to the now- famous vasectomy reversal speech.  The other Reversal Kids were asked to join John on stage.

*. Chelsy supposedly left her vows in the bathroom 

* Rings delivered via drone

*. Lots of carrying of female wedding party members by male party members during the recessional

* A female photographer

*. No death sermon or words from Steve

Friends, did I miss anything?

Chelsy got to speak too. Admittedly it was quite short, and not the I Want To Fornicate The Sound of My Own Voice style speech of the men, but still... AN ACTUAL WOMAN SPEAKING IN A CHURCH. I hope Steve remembered his smelling salts.

[usmcmom]

Let's not forget Chelsy clinging to John "like a drunk Rhesus monkey."  Who do I credit for that brilliant description??  

Also, Chelsy kneeling prematurely before the family prayer circle, leaving her momentarily staring at John's crotch. 

And the poor Bontrager child who was trotted out to tell the world he was already praying for a wife. At least I think that's what he said. Said child was about ten. 

[Marian the Librarian]

2 minutes ago, usmcmom said:

And the poor Bontrager child who was trotted out to tell the world he was already praying for a wife. At least I think that's what he said. Said child was about ten. 

"A Godly little wife."

(I don't make the news. I only report it.)

[scoutsadie]

18 minutes ago, Elegant Mess said:

The short, short version:

*Chelsy supposedly left her vows in the bathroom 

Friends, did I miss anything?

And John left the stage/went with her to fetch them, yes?

[Mela99]

Back up - I missed the part about the children praying for wives !? WTF

[neurogirl]

I love FJ and all of its nicknames, but I cringe every time I see Chelsy called "Chesty." Nicknames are fair game! But I think they're better when they are based on personality or belief, not an uncontrollable body part that Chelsy already has weird modesty and patriarchal rules governing. Just one person's opinion and I don't mean to edit out fun!

[Elegant Mess]

1 minute ago, neurogirl said:

I love FJ and all of its nicknames, but I cringe every time I see Chelsy called "Chesty." 

Could this just be an autocomplete fail?

[neurogirl]

@Elegant Mess that's what I thought at first too, and that may be part of it, but there has been talk of how her wedding dress was not the most flattering in the bosom and that her "chesty nickname" would be solidified. I totally understand it being an autocorrect fail, and also poking some fun, but I thought I would throw my two cents in on the chance that it is going to become a more popular nickname. 

[luv2laugh]

Ok guys, I’m new to the Bontragers and am bummed I missed the wedding. I posted this question on maxwell thread but does anyone know why the maxwells don’t like Chelsy Bontrager? The sister, Allison Bontrager (who works in HR at the family’s hotel) wrote a LONG blog post a few months ago about the benefit of Christian girls working a job, working hard, and learning to invest money... Chelsy shared the post on her blog and included “I don’t agree with the idea of being a ‘Stay at Home Daughter’”.  

Was this a slight dig at Maxwell girls? I REALLY like Allison Bontrager’s logic! She might be my favorite fundie now!

Again, if anyone else knows any Steve Maxwell/Bontrager drama let me know please lol. I’m going down the rabbit hole now and am new. 

Edited just now by luv2laugh

[picklepizzas]

19 minutes ago, luv2laugh said:

Ok guys, I’m new to the Bontragers and am bummed I missed the wedding. I posted this question on maxwell thread but does anyone know why the maxwells don’t like Chelsy Bontrager? The sister, Allison Bontrager (who works in HR at the family’s hotel) wrote a LONG blog post a few months ago about the benefit of Christian girls working a job, working hard, and learning to invest money... Chelsy shared the post on her blog and included “I don’t agree with the idea of being a ‘Stay at Home Daughter’”.  

Was this a slight dig at Maxwell girls? I REALLY like Allison Bontrager’s logic! She might be my favorite fundie now!

Again, if anyone else knows any Steve Maxwell/Bontrager drama let me know please lol. I’m going down the rabbit hole now and am new. 

Edited just now by luv2laugh

any dislike of chelsy by the maxwells is mostly conjecture.  the bontragers announced the engagement when the maxwells had apparently intended on treating it the same way they did joseph's wedding, i.e. no mention of the relationship until the vows were spoken.  mostly bc one time joseph was dumped a week before the wedding, so they are understandably worried about the finality of engagements. it took the maxwells several days to post their own announcement of the engagement once the bontragers let the news slip, and the announcement didn't seem particularly effusive or joyful.  people have speculated steve was pissed that he didn't get to control the story. 

the bontragers are generally more fun, spontaneous and charismatic than the maxwells, and there's a lot of conjecture that chelsy's personality would grate steve, but no hard evidence. alison (chelsy's sister) wrote a piece about how the sahd movement was silly and that women should be working hard and developing skills while they wait for their prince charmings. chelsy mentioned the piece on her own blog. some people feel it was a dig at the maxwell sisters; i don't. (i think chelsy and allison would both consider the maxwell girls to be working hard and developing skills.)

so, most of the stuff about steve disliking the bontragers/chelsy is just reading between the lines/hoping that finally someone is getting underneath steve's skin. nothing explicit. 

[JermajestyDuggar]

Poor Hudson is maybe 12 or 11.5. He's not 10 because the youngest Bontrager is 10 (Rebekah). Anyway poor Hudson was presented on stage and his father says they pray every day for a godly little wife. BARF. I admit that I immediately thought to myself, "boy do I hope he finds himself a very tall atheist."

[neurogirl]

@luv2laugh I'm so sorry to burst your bubble, but though the Bontragers do have more spunk, Allison Bontrager also wrote a blog post about "nurturing your brother's manhood," which basically meant only compliment their fragile egos and never criticize them, not even for unsafe driving!!! And has written in other posts how her brothers were leaders at home and in biblical matters for both herself and her brothers' brides. Ick. 

[Bethella]

12 hours ago, usmcmom said:

This wedding was actually quite expensive for Christopher and Nathan - tuxedo rental for themselves and their sons, bridesmaids' dresses for their wives and dresses/sweaters for their daughters, probably new shoes for at least some of them. Add in lodging and other travel expenses and that really is a lot of money to put out for a brother's wedding. Sorry if it is crass to mention the money but it is just something I thought of as I looked at the picture.

I wonder if they got free rooms at the hotel?

1 hour ago, JermajestyDuggar said:

Poor Hudson is maybe 12 or 11.5. He's not 10 because the youngest Bontrager is 10 (Rebekah). Anyway poor Hudson was presented on stage and his father says they pray every day for a godly little wife. BARF. I admit that I immediately thought to myself, "boy do I hope he finds himself a very tall atheist."

Hudson is 12, he'll turn 13 in October.

My random thoughts/wild speculation: I wonder if they're going to wait and let Chelsy post about the wedding once they're back from the honeymoon. Since she's a Maxwell now, she could help with the family blog which would finally leave Sarah free to court (yes, I know it's a pipe dream).

[MamaJunebug]

2 hours ago, neurogirl said:

I love FJ and all of its nicknames, but I cringe every time I see Chelsy called "Chesty." Nicknames are fair game! But I think they're better when they are based on personality or belief, not an uncontrollable body part that Chelsy already has weird modesty and patriarchal rules governing. Just one person's opinion and I don't mean to edit out fun!

Hi dove. I - TTBOMK - first called her Chesty, but only because that’s how my brain processes the spelling of her name. Chelsea, Chelsey, even Chelsie I see as Chelsea. Chelsy just registers as Chesty with me. 

I know others call her Judgy Chelsy bcz Of her open disdain for a helpful service worker who was dressed beneath the Bontrager standard of classiness.  Little sh*t! I’ll be sure to stay with the Judgy appellation henceforth. It’s accurate, it’s earned. She didn’t choose the spelling of her name and she isn’t bosomy so the Chesty thing is just something I’ve gotta get over.  Thanks for mentioning!

Question for all: have anyBontrager sites posted photos? I’m hopeless at Instagram and don’t understand Twitter. Their FB presence — that I can see — sleeps with the fishes. 

[lilith]

I don’t think Steve/the Maxwells dislike Chelsy or her family, I just think Steve hates losing control of the public narrative. None of the other Maxhell brides have come from high profile families with large followings of their own, so Steve has always been able to publicise the relationships as and how he wants to to further his agenda/act as advertising for various Tits 2 products. I will be very interested to see if Chelsy continues to blog and use Instagram now she’s married - I very much hope so.

While Chelsy does seem a lot more outgoing than the Maxwell daughters and daughters in law, John has always been described as the most adventurous and outgoing Maxwell, so that makes sense. If the families beliefs weren’t very similar Steve would never have condoned socialising enough for John to get to know Chelsy in the first place. And their beliefs are very similar - the Maxwells were even scheduled to be the guest speakers at the Bontragers annual Turning Hearts conference this year, before it was cancelled for the triple wedding weekend.

Steve is an extreme control freak and isolationist even among fundies, but his other values are pretty standard IFB fundie and line up very well with the Bontragers. If you go back to the earlier days of the Bontrager blog, when it was mainly written by Becky and the children were younger you can get a better idea of how fundie they are and quickly fill a bingo card with all the fundie buzzwords that don’t appear so often now that Chelsy usually writes the blog and the children are older.

Basically, despite a more vibrant image and being more involved in the real world than the Maxwells, the Bontragers are as fundie as they come, and extremely conservative and patriarchal even by fundie standards. 

[mango_fandango]

Chesty to me doesn’t mean big-boobed, to me it means a bad chesty cough. I just googled it and apparently that definition is a primarily British one. I think over here we’d probably just use “busty” or plain old “she’s got big boobs”. 

[Black Aliss]

4 hours ago, johnhugh said:

 I’ve only ascertained that Stevie spoke about his Scrotum - hope it was shaved Stevie 

Not me. I hope it was waxed.

[mango_fandango]

14 minutes ago, Black Aliss said:

Not me. I hope it was waxed.

DID YOU HAVE TO PUT THAT IMAGE IN MY HEAD x infinity

[LaLele]

36 minutes ago, Black Aliss said:

Not me. I hope it was waxed.

Tweezed.  One by one.