Fans of “The Golden Bachelor” can witness the latest Bachelor Nation couple exchange their vows in a live televised wedding special aptly titled “The Golden Wedding.” The 72-year-old Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, hailing from Hudson, Indiana, proposed to Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional from New Jersey, in the show’s December finale. The couple surprised viewers during the “After the Final Rose” special by revealing their intention to get married on TV in just a month.
Details about the wedding, such as the guest list, have started emerging. Family members, including Turner’s daughters and granddaughters and Nist’s children and grandsons, along with many “Golden Bachelor” cast members, are expected to attend. Leslie Fhima, a frontrunner from the show, confirmed her presence on her Instagram story. The wedding will take place in Palm Springs, California.
For those eager to watch the wedding, it is scheduled to air on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 8 p.m. ET and will last for two hours. The special can be viewed on ABC and streamed on ABC.com with a cable login. Additionally, it will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ starting Jan. 5. Viewers without a cable subscription can access the ceremony through subscription services like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV, many of which offer free trials.
As for the love story between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, after nine episodes and a month of filming, Turner chose Nist over Leslie Fhima to be his life partner. Both widowed, Turner and Nist faced the challenge of merging their well-established lives and families from two different states. Despite the distance, they have decided to start a new chapter together in Charleston, South Carolina, after a honeymoon in Italy.
Gerry Turner, as the first Golden Bachelor, captured the hearts of viewers and revitalized the reality TV dating show, emphasizing genuine connections over drama. The wedding venue, La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif., is a familiar location for Bachelor Nation, known for hosting “The Bachelorette” Season 16. The Golden Wedding marks a significant event for ABC, dedicating an entire special to the nuptials of a Bachelor Nation couple for the first time in a decade.
Former Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles will officiate the ceremony, having become friends with the couple during the show. Kathy Swarts, another former contestant, will interview guests on the Gold Carpet, and several other former contestants are expected to attend. Host Jesse Palmer, who initially expressed a desire to be an usher, will instead host the telecast.
The wedding will incorporate both old and new traditions, with Turner and Nist planning to honor their late spouses, Toni and Billy, during the ceremony. Details such as vows and specific elements of the ceremony are still being decided. The wedding parties will consist of members of their blended families, making it a memorable and inclusive celebration.
The ceremony, featuring emotional moments and touching gestures, promises to be a fairy tale for Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, symbolizing love and happiness at any age.