The wedding of the year has arrived. The Golden Bachelor stars Gerry Turner married Theresa Nist, the second love of his life in a two-hour wedding ceremony live at the La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California Thursday night (January 4) on ABC.
The 72-year-old widower from Indiana proposed to the 70-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, in the series finale, picking Turner proposed to Nist in the finale, picking the New Jersey native over 21 other contestants, including Susan Noles who officiated the event, and Kathy Swarts, who interviewed arriving guests on the gold carpet alongside The Bachelorette’s Charity Lawson.
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He began his journey on The Golden Bachelor – a spinoff of The Bachelor – search claiming that “he wasn’t looking for a woman he could love with, but a woman he couldn’t live without.” She turned out to be Theresa Nist after bonding over their shared experience of losing their high school sweethearts.
Here are our favorite moments of Gerry and Theresa’s big day.
JESSE PALMER
Jesse Palmer Almost Missed The Birth of His Baby
The show’s host Jesse Palmer, opened the The Golden Wedding declaring that his wife is due to give birth at any minute and he would be leaving if needed, setting the precedent for a night full of excitement and of course love.
He confessed, “On a personal note, I actually wasn’t sure that I was going to make it here. And that’s because my beautiful wife Emely is at home right now, and we’re expecting the birth of our very first child at any moment. Seriously, it could happen tonight.”
A Golden Wedding for the ages ✨#TheGoldenBachelor #BachelorNation pic.twitter.com/STCZc91JRx
— Jesse James Palmer (@JessePalmerTV) January 5, 2024
”So Emely, I know you’re at home watching. I love you so much, I miss you. Please call me if you feel anything. I will leave here immediately and I’ll leave everything in the capable hands of my friends.”
All in all, Palmer did not have to leave the ceremony. Sending our love and wishes to Emely and Jesse on the safe arrival of their new bundle of joy.
LESLIE FHIMA
Leslie Fhima Turns Heads On The Golden Carpet Amid Health Scare
Despite a recent hospitalization due to a bowel obstruction this week, runner-up Leslie Fhima arrived on the gold carpet despite her recent heartbreak. She told host Swarts that at this age, “we have to celebrate love.”
Fhima and Turner tearfully split in Costa Rica, but that didn’t stop the 65-year-old from celebrating the happy day.
“I was very good friends with Theresa, we supported each other through the whole time in the house and all the way through this journey. I’m so happy for her and Gerry. I’m here at the end of the day to support love.”
Some of the other 150 guests include Bachelor Nation’s Trista and Ryan Sutter, Jason and Molly Mesnick, future Bachelor Joey Graziadei, past Bachelor Ben Higgins and Wells Adams. The Golden Bachelor alums Joan Vassos, Edith Aguirre and April Kirkwood were also in attendance.
NEIL LANE, BRAYDEN BOWERS, CHRISTINA MANDRELL
Brayden Bowers and Christina Mandrell Get Engaged
It wouldn’t be a Bachelor special without a proposal. Brayden Bowers (Season 20 of The Bachelorette and Season 9 of Bachelor in Paradise) and Christina Mandrell (Season 27 of The Bachelor) got engaged live on the “Golden Wedding” red carpet.
The two met after Bowers’ season of Bachelor in Paradise when Mandrell messaged the reality star. Bowers asked Palmer if he could take the mic for one more question stating, “For the first time in my life I feel like I can be myself. I have no doubts I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
THERESA NIST, SUSAN NOLES
Theresa Goes Dress Shopping
Theresa went dress shopping with her daughter Jen Woolston, daughter-in-law Amanda Nist, Gerry’s daughters Angie Warner and Jenny Young, and co-stars Swarts and Noles.
The day was full of laughter and tears as Nist found the one thanks to fashion designer Badgley Mischka.
THERESA NIST
Theresa Walks Down The Aisle
The procession began and Theresa’s grandsons walked down the aisle as well as Gerry’s granddaughters wearing matching pink dresses. Gerry’s daughters and Theresa’s daughter and daughter-in-law served as bridesmaids.
Gerry’s daughter Angie shared, “You’ve taught so many people lessons on positivity and that it’s not too late to find love. “She told Theresa, “You’re the most charming, caring, genuine woman. We see the way to look at our dad and the way you love him.”
GERRY TURNER, THERESA NIST
Theresa Says She’ll Be Dead in 10 Years
Shortly after exchanging vows, Susan invited both Gerry and Theresa to look into each other’s eyes and take in the moment. She told them to picture their life in ten years, and Theresa light-heartedly whispered, “Dead.”
Susan: “where do you see yourselves in 10 years?!”
Theresa: “dead ☠️”#TheGoldenBachelor #thegoldenwedding #GoldenBachelor pic.twitter.com/KoDJknLunG
— RealityBuzzing🐝 (@RealityBuzzing) January 5, 2024
Her comment certainly did not slip under the radar as many fans caught this funny moment.
THERESA NIST, GERRY TURNER
Mr. And Mrs. Golden Bachelor Say “I Do!”
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are now married!! The two made Bachelor history as both cried throughout their vows as Noles told them that they may “take on the world together with all your hopes and dreams” and declared them husband and wife.
Nist added that she just wants “to have fun for the rest of the days we have left on this Earth. Which could be another hour.”
Noles shared, “Let’s hear it for Mr. And Mrs Turner!”
Did you take a sip every time you saw Gerry and Theresa kiss? We sure did! Best wishes to the happy couple. Here’s to more!
