Jill Duggar and husband Derick Dillard have a covenant marriage

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Jill Duggar Dillard and husband Derick’s covenant marriage

’19 Kids and Counting’ star’s covenant marriage

"19 Kids & Counting's" Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard chose Arkansas for their June 21 nuptials not just because the reality star calls the Natural State home; Arkansas is one of three states in America that offer a covenant marriage option.

"I signed their covenant marriage certificate," Derick's mom Cathy told People. "It was so special. But it wouldn't matter if they chose that type of marriage certificate or not, those two would still have a covenant marriage."

A covenant marriage allows a couple to agree at the time of their wedding that they will seek counseling before being granted a divorce. It also limits grounds for divorce and often requires an extended separation be in place before the couple legally divorce.

The newlyweds are busy preparing for their first child, a son, due in March.

"We're open to as many children as God will give us," Jill told FOX & Friends.

"This is a time we have prayed for for 23 years," Jill's father Jim Bob told People at his daughter's wedding. "As Jill and I were out in the hallway waiting to come in, I thought about how Michelle and I got married 30 years ago. I couldn't hold back the tears thinking I was giving away my daughter. It was an exciting time, but it was also a time of a lot of emotion."

It won't be too long until Jim Bob walks another daughter down the isle; daughter Jessa is set to marry finance Ben Seewald Nov. 1.

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