Tori Bates is Married!

What a lovely afternoon watching Tori Bates become Mrs. Bobby Smith at a beautiful wedding in Knoxville, Tennessee! The purple and silver, alongside white trees, made for a gorgeous, wintry setting. As expected, the wedding party was made up mostly of siblings. The audience laughed and cried as Pastor Gil Bates officiated the ceremony with the perfect combination of tenderness and humor.

Tori was glowing in her stunning Renee Miller wedding gown. (I--Ellie--was invited to join the Bates ladies the day Tori chose her dress.) The lemon-blueberry wedding cake, made by Kelly Bates' sister Kay, was simply divine.

We enjoyed exchanging hugs and hellos with members of both the Bates and Duggar families. The Duggars are close friends of the Bates, and most were in attendance today. We were also thrilled to chat with a few followers of our blogs.

Details of Tori and Bobby's special day can be found at People.com.

Season 5 Premiere Recap

Bringing Up Bates "Summer Lovin', Guitar Strummin and a Surprise a Comin'"...

• The Bates head to The Wilds overnight camp in North Carolina to pick up Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah. This is the first time any Bates kids have gone to sleepaway camp without the rest of the clan. Bobby Smith, Tori's boyfriend, is a counselor at the camp.
• Tori gives an update on her relationship with Bobby: "We've been together for about a year now, like officially, unofficially, like technically but not technically. We're together but we're not together. It's confusing. We're gonna get married."
• "Bobby was interested in a courtship," shares Gil. "I said, 'Well you need to get to know each other a little more before we really move into something more official.' So it looks like they're moving in that direction, and we'll see what happens." 
• Bobby lives in Tampa, Florida, and also goes to school in Florida, while Tori lives and attends school near Knoxville, Tennessee.  
• "I think every parent wants to see their children happy," says Kelly. "And of course if Bobby's anywhere nearby...Tori is bubbling over, so as a parent, I'll be anxious to see where her future is leading over the next few months.
• Bobby gives the Bates a tour of the camp. The first stop is the giant swing. "I saw the cables, I saw the spring, I saw that thing, and I knew, this is something my wife would never do," states Gil. The kids know their mom will never agree to ride if she knows how it works, so they don't tell her. She goes into it thinking it's a calm, romantic ride.
• When Kelly realizes what's happening, it's too late. "What are y'all doing to me?" she shouts. "This is not a ride, this is a torture contraption!" The Bates mom screams the entire time. 
• Next stop is the lake, which features jumping platforms, a giant blob, and ziplines. 
• Back in Tennessee, Lawson is preparing for a short concert tour to showcase his new CD. He heads to the studio to record vocals, accompanied by Kelly and Josie. "My mom is my number one supporter, and I appreciate all of her encouragement," says Lawson. The first song is a duet with Emily Ann Roberts. 
• "When you see your child strive for something, you can't help but be proud as a mom," says Kelly, beaming.
• Later, Gil, Lawson, Nathan, and Carlin help Trace practice for his Dixie Stampede audition. In addition to trick riding, Trace is going to have to learn showmanship and dancing. 
• Dancing is something the Bates have never done. Kelly says her son might have to take some lessons. "Dancing is not in my comfort zone," admits Trace. 
• "I don't think I ever dreamed I would see the day when my mom would be encouraging anyone in my family to take dance lessons," says Zach, smiling. "We're all starting to realize that there are extremes with everything, but what's your heart? Are you wanting to do this in a good, uplifting, and appropriate way, or is this more in a negative connotation?"
• "We never really danced as a family, probably because a lot of the teenage dancing gets a little bit too close for comfort for Gil...," says Kelly. The Bates parents admit they are having to reevaluate now that the kids are growing up.
• "[Trace] kind of was the shy one, but he's coming out of this box, and he's finding out who he is on his own without following in his brothers' shadows," says Kelly.
• At Zach and Whitney's house, the family of four enjoys time together on one of Zach's days off. He is in law enforcement and works 12-hour shifts, which is difficult for his wife and kids. They head over to Gil and Kelly's house for a family day with the whole clan (minus the Websters--or so everyone thinks--and Keilens).
• After everyone arrives, longtime friend Mrs. Dingus surprises the family with a visit. She is carrying flowers and a basket of gifts. The Bates automatically assume someone is pregnant. The kids are even asking Mom if she's expecting. Everyone gathers around, and Mrs. Dingus passes out the gifts. Inside are two of Alyssa and John's maternity photos. They are expecting a baby girl whose name will be Lexi Mae. The family is shocked. They run outside to greet the Websters.
• "I don't think there's any...emotional word to capture what you feel like when you find out you're going to have a new granddaughter," says Gil.