Wedding bells rang for Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and his fiancée Theresa Nist!
After getting engaged during The Golden Bachelor finale in November, Gerry, 72, and Theresa, 70, decided to say “I do” in The Golden Wedding, a live, televised special that aired Thursday on ABC.
In addition to Gerry and Theresa's friends and family, members of Bachelor Nation — including Wells Adams, Ben Higgins, Jason and Molly Mesnick, Desiree and Chris Siegfried, and Trista and Ryan Sutter — all attended at the Southern California nuptials. And Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles officiated.
˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.(The Quran - Chapter Sad : 29)
But before the couple tied the knot and the former rose collectors hit the dance floor, former Bachelorette Charity Lawson and Golden Bachelor contestant Kathy Swarts hosted a "Gold Carpet" as guests arrived for the big day.
Gerry Closes Out the Night with Words of Inspiration
"I have a whole new outlook on life because of this journey and because of this woman," Gerry said at the end of the special. "And I'd almost forgotten the really important advice: don't stop believing!"
From there, wedding cover band The Dan Band, which also appeared in The Hangover, launched into a version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'' to get the party started. Jesse toasted the camera with a glass of champagne before rushing home to his pregnant wife. The Golden Bachelor contestants continued grooving to a Bruno Mars selection.
Theresa shared a hug with contestant Faith Martin on the dance floor.
Gerry and Theresa's Wedding Reception Commences
Jesse introduced Gerry and Theresa for the first time as husband and wife and shared that Theresa wanted to do her bouquet toss before the party got underway. Her fellow Golden Bachelor contestants gathered towards the front of the crowd and multiple women launched themselves at the mix of white, ivory and pink flowers when Theresa shot them in the air.
Ultimately, Kathy, Joan Vassos and Anna Zalk each walked away with a handful of flowers.
Charity Makes an Announcement About Her Own Wedding
Charity regrouped with Kathy after Gerry and Theresa said "I do," and her fiancé Dotun joined, too, to share a "tidbit" about his future with the Dancing with the Stars alum.
"Me and this beautiful Charity Lawson here will be getting married in the fall of 2025," an excited Dotun announced.
Susan Pronounces Gerry and Theresa Husband and Wife
After Gerry and Theresa exchanged vows, Susan encouraged the couple to take in the moment.
"Take a few seconds and look into each others' eyes," Susan said to Gerry and Theresa at the altar. "Think about the happiness that you're feeling in this place, in this moment, really let that feeling register in your heart and your mind."
They had a laugh when Susan asked Gerry and Theresa to imagine where their lives would be in 10 years before Susan made things official.
"Now may you take on the world together with all your hopes and dreams," she said before instructing Gerry to kiss his bride.
Jen handed her mom her bouquet and Gerry took Theresa's hand as they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.
Gerry and Theresa Exchange Vows
The couple wrote their own vows, and Theresa started off the exchange by recounting her journey meeting Gerry on the show, most notably, partaking in a flash mob with him on their date.
"Right at that moment, I started believing that there could be something between us," Theresa, whose right strap broke off her wedding gown, told Gerry at the altar. "And I witnessed you being the most wonderful, kind, sensitive human being. Just a man of honor and integrity. And I grew to love you. And I do Gerry, I do love you."
Theresa then looked forward to their lives together.
"We have that same deep love of family," she said. "We have so much love to share and now so many more people to share it with. I promise to be your calm in a storm, to comfort you when you're sad, to laugh with you when you're happy and to stick with you throughout it all. But most of all, to have fun for the rest of the days that we have left on this earth, which could be another hour."
Next, Gerry shared his vows.
"I learned that you are the woman I can't live without," Gerry told Theresa. "I learned that you make me clam with the touch of your hand. I've learned that you make me laugh with the easy comfort of a long-lost friend. I've learned that you're a strong and independent woman, and your strength gives me joy. I've learned that you make me a better person, a better man, because of your sensitivity and your soft voice. And so Theresa, I know I found a full partner to share all of life's experiences that are thrown at us."
The Daughters Give Speeches at the Ceremony
Gerry's daughters Angie and Jenny stepped up first to share some kind words about the couple.
"We're just so proud of you for taking this journey in the first place," Angie began. "You laid your heart out there, you were vulnerable and for that, we're so incredibly proud."
Jenny praised Theresa. "He found a fantastic woman that is beautiful inside and out to spend the rest of his life with," Jenny said.
The women ended by saying, "Everybody here calls you the first Golden Bachelor. We're just honored to call you 'Dad.'"
Then Theresa's daughter Jen came to the podium.
"Mom, you found your person to go to Italy with. And Gerry, you've got your person to share a sunset with," she said. "And you have the love and support of all your children and grandchildren. And Toni and my dad, I just know it. We're beyond thrilled that you’ve brought us together as family."
The Guests Rise for Theresa's Grand Entrance — and Gerry's Tears Flow
Theresa's son Tommy walked her down the aisle, and as soon as Gerry saw her in her Badgley Mischka gown, he began to cry. After Tommy handed Theresa off to Gerry, her daughter Jen fixed Theresa's gown and took her bouquet. Once settled at the altar, Susan welcomed everyone to the Golden Wedding: "For those of you that don’t know me, I just don’t know why!"
The Ceremony Starts at La Quinta
With all of Theresa and Gerry's friends and family in place — and resort guests peeking over to catch a glimpse — Gerry walked down the aisle to officiant Susan as an orchestra played classical music. Theresa's grandsons, who served as junior groomsmen, followed, and then came the bridal party: Gerry's two granddaughters Payton and Charlee, his daughters Angie and Jenny, his daughter-in-law Amanda and Theresa's daughter Jen.
Sandra Mason Shows Off Her New Man
Golden Bachelor contestant Sandra brought a date to the Golden Wedding, too: Chippendales dancer Shyllon Melatti, who she met at Theresa's bachelorette party.
"This is Shyllon. He's my escort today," Sandra explained to Jesse. "His name is a misnomer because he's not shy."
Sandra proceeded to introduce Shyllon's "six roommates" — aka his abs.
Brayden Bowers Proposes to Christina Mandrell
Brayden Bowers brought his girlfriend, Bachelor season 27's Christina Mandrell, who he started dating after Bachelor in Paradise season 9 wrapped filming, to the Golden Wedding. Brayden told Jesse that he and Christina got together after she slid into his DMs and they bonded over the band Tenacious D.
Then Brayden passed his and Christina's microphones over to Jesse and grabbed Christina's hands.
"Christina, from the moment that I picked you up form the airport with your crazy ass rose and your fake disguise, I just knew that there was special and there was something different," Brayden said to the mom of 7-year-old daughter Blakely.
Brayden proceeded to tell Christina that she made him feel like he could be himself "unapologetically."
"And I have no doubts that I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Brayden continued. "And like Gerry said, it's like, you know ,we have such little time and ... I just know that I want to spend the rest of my days with you."
Brayden then dropped to one knee and pulled out an engagement ring.
"This is why we got our nails done?" Christina exclaimed while accepting Brayden's proposal.
Jesse explained that Brayden got Gerry and Theresa's approval to pop the question at their wedding. "Brayden actually called Gerry and Theresa and made sure he got their blessing before he proposed," the dad-to-be said.
A Toast to the Happy Couple! Wells Adams Introduces Gerry and Theresa's Signature Cocktails
Kathy and Charity made their way to the bar with The Golden Bachelor contestants Edith Aguirre and April Kirkwood and Bachelor in Paradise bartender Wells introduced the night's signature drinks. The list includes: the Turner Her into a Mrs, a vodka cranberry with a twist of lime; the Birthday Suit, a spicy margarita; The Final Rose; an old fashioned; and the One Headlight, a Prosecco and elderflower cocktail.
Check Out the Seating for Gerry and Theresa's Wedding
Famous wedding planner Mindy Weiss set the dramatic and beautiful scene for the first-ever televised Golden Wedding. And the seating for the ceremony is fit for the starry guests. The Bachelor Nation alumni, as well as the family members and friends, will witness the ceremony from beautiful, cream and gold-colored sofas, loveseats and regal chairs. The seats themselves are adorned with matching pillows as well as rolled-up shawls for all the female guests in case things get chilly.
And here's who will be sitting with whom: The first two rows on Gerry's side will be his family, and behind them will be most of Bachelor Nation.
In row 3, from the aisle: Trista Sutter, Ryan Sutter, Max Sutter, Blakely Sutter, Desiree Siegfried, Chris Siegfried, Zach Shallcross, Kaity Biggar.
In row 4, from the aisle: Ben Higgins, Wells Adams, Jared Haibon, Ashley Iaconetti, Jade Tolbert, Tanner Tolbert, Michelle Young, Jack Leius, Mari Pepin, Kenny Braasch.
In row 5, from the aisle: Dotun Olubeko, Charity Lawson, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Rachel Recchia.
And jeweler Neil Lane will be sitting in the front row of Gerry’s family side, in the very end seat.
New Bachelor Joey Graziadei Joins 'Bachelor' Nation in Golden Fashion
When Joey showed up on the Gold Carpet, Charity couldn't help but gush about him being the next Bachelor. Kathy stated that she'd want the tennis pro to date her daughter if her daughter wasn't already happily married. Joey just wanted to celebrate Theresa and Gerry.
"I love weddings," he told Charity and Kathy. "I love love. Just to be here and see them and how happy they are, it's going to be a good time tonight. I just feel lucky to be here."
Gerry's Finalist Leslie Fhima Arrives at the Golden Wedding After Health Scare
Gerry broke up with Leslie just before proposal day, but she still showed up to support him on his wedding day.
"At our age, we have to celebrate love," Leslie, who revealed earlier this week that she spent her recent 65th birthday in the hospital having surgery, said on the Gold Carpet. "I was very good friends with Theresa. We support[ed] each other throughout the whole time in the house and all the way through this journey, and I'm so, so happy for her and Gerry. I really am. I'm here at the end of the day to support love in any way."
Ben Higgins crashed Leslie's interview to tell her loves to “start a wedding dance party” and invited her to join him on the dance floor later in the night.
Gerry's Daughters Angie and Jenny Walk the Gold Carpet
Gerry's two daughters Angie Warner and Jenny Young chatted with Kathy in their light blue strapless bridesmaids gowns.
"I'm just really excited to see him so happy," Jenny told Kathy of what she was looking forward to at the wedding.
Kathy also joked with Angie and Jenny about once being in the running to marry their dad.
"I know that you have been up all night crying because I am not going to be your stepmother," Kathy said. "Believe me, I gave it my best shot!"
Jesse Palmer Welcomes Everyone to the Golden Wedding
Golden Bachelor host Jesse Palmer kicked off the night — and revealed he almost didn't make it to the wedding because his wife Emely Fardo is expecting their first child any day now. "Please call me if you need anything!" Jesse said to Emely. The former NFL pro also introduced the night's Golden Carpet correspondents, Charity Lawson and Kathy Swarts.
"Who thought it was a good idea to put a microphone in my hand on live television?" Kathy joked.
Kathy also suggested that she and Charity take a sip of champagne each time Gerry and Theresa kiss — and the former Bachelorette agreed.
Golden Wedding Guests Start to Arrive and Await Walking the Gold Carpet
As the beginning of the wedding nears, attendees begin to show up to La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California. Bachelor Nation stars Dean Unglert, Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Jade Roper Tolbert and Tanner Tolbert, Wells Adams, Tayshia Adams, Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk, new Bachelor Joey Graziadei, Trista and Ryan Sutter and their kids, Rachel Recchia, Michelle Young and boyfriend Jack Leius and Katie Thurston are among some of the first guests to arrive.
Theresa and Gerry Start Their Wedding Day Digital Cover
Before the Golden Wedding fun kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, the happy couple began their day with a cover story, where they shared some of the details of their special day.
Their family members will fill out the wedding party, with Gerry’s son-in-law Rob standing by his side as his best man and Theresa's youngest grandson Henry taking on the role of ring bearer. Theresa’s daughter Jen is serving as her maid of honor and helped plan the wedding,
And the wedding day just happens to be Jen's birthday as well!
“I can't believe it's on her birthday, because it started on my birthday,” Theresa, 70, says. “We're both on the fourth of the month; what are the chances?”
Probably about the same odds of finding love on reality TV.
