Gerry Turner, 72, and Theresa Nist, 70, said “I do” in a fairytale wedding ceremony broadcast live on ABC last night. The Golden Bachelor couple exchanged vows in front of over 300 guests at the La Quinta Resort near Palm Springs, culminating their year-long romance that began when Gerry proposed to Theresa on the season finale of the hit senior dating show last January.
A Storybook Romance
Gerry and Theresa’s romance captured the hearts of viewers across America when they first met on The Golden Bachelor in 2023. Their instant connection and “golden” love story quickly made them fan favorites out of the 30 seniors competing for leading man Gerry’s heart.
“I knew immediately that Theresa was special. Our first date, we laughed for hours and I felt I could tell her anything,” said Gerry. The retired accountant bonded with Theresa over their shared midwestern roots and love of travel during their fantasy suite overnight date to Paris. While Gerry formed connections with all five of his finalists, he said his “search for love ended” after meeting Theresa.
On the dramatic season finale, Gerry got down on one knee and asked Theresa, a widowed former teacher, to spend the rest of their golden years together. “When Gerry proposed and I looked into his kind eyes filled with so much love…in that moment, any doubts faded away. I was absolutely sure he was the partner I wanted by my side,” recalled Theresa. Through joyful tears, she said “yes!” sparking cheers from the show’s live studio audience.
Their engagement launched them into the spotlight as America’s hottest senior couple. Gerry and Theresa announced just days later that their nuptials would be broadcast as a two-hour live special on ABC.
“Watching Gerry and Theresa find each other has renewed my faith in lasting love. We’re thrilled to share the next chapter in their inspiring journey,” said Mike Fleiss, creator and executive producer of The Bachelor franchise including the senior spin-off The Golden Bachelor.
Lavish Nuptials Fit for Bachelor Royalty
The anticipation has been building for months leading up to last night’s wedding extravaganza, dubbed “The Golden Wedding.” Gerry and Theresa’s ceremony took place at sunset in the lush gardens of La Quinta Resort near Palm Springs. Their outdoor venue was transformed into a glamorous, Gatsby-inspired space decorated with thousands of golden roses, strings of twinkling lights, and glittering accents.
Over 300 guests looked on as the couple recited handwritten vows expressing their golden love. Theresa was a vision in a heavily beaded gown with a sweetheart neckline by Badgley Mishka. Her hair was swept to the side in glamorous curls as she walked down the rose petal-strewn aisle. Gerry wore an embroidered tuxedo as he watched his glowing bride with tears in his eyes.
Highlights from The Golden Wedding Ceremony
| Moment | Details |
|---|---|
| Officiant | Susan Noles, 72, the “villain” contestant from Gerry’s season who confronted Theresa on the “Women Tell All” special, led the ceremony. In a surprise twist, Susan gave the newlyweds her blessing while wearing a glittering gold tuxedo jacket as a nod to the popular show. |
| Vows | The couple exchanged heartfelt, emotional vows they penned themselves. Theresa promised: “I vow to always be your travel companion, biggest cheerleader, and loving partner.” Gerry pledged his “unwavering friendship, protection and care.” |
| First Dance | The newlyweds shared a romantic first dance to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” amidst golden sparkler lights. Gerry twirled Theresa before dipping her back dramatically. |
| Cake | A towering 8-tier gold and white cake adorned with a huge sparkling gold Bachelor rose topper. The rich red velvet and champagne cake creation was made by celebrity baker Sylvia Weinstock. |
| Celebrity Guests | Over 50 Bachelor Nation stars were in attendance including Jason Mesnick, Trista Sutter, Becca Kufrin, Ben Higgins, and recent senior Bachelor lead Steve Rogers, 91. |
The ceremony left no dry eyes in the house – even the camera operators and producers got emotional during the touching nuptials.
A Star-Studded Golden Reception
After the kiss that sealed their marriage, Gerry and Theresa entered the reception like royalty as hundreds of guests lined up to cheer them.
The glitzy cocktail reception carried out the golden art deco theme with passed champagne, a vintage cigar roller, tarot card reader, and glamorous entertainers channeling the roaring 20s era.
Dinner was a gourmet multi-course meal with menu items highlighting the couple’s favorite foods from hometown dates. Guests dined on Midwest specialties like filet mignon, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and corn fritters served on golden dinnerware.
In lieu of the traditional father-daughter dance, Theresa and her seven grandchildren swayed happily to “My Girl” by The Temptations. Gerry cut in halfway through for a sweet intergenerational dance.
“We wanted our wedding to feel like a warm family celebration,” explained Theresa. Over twenty of their kids and grandkids had roles in the wedding party and gave moving speeches about the couple’s inspirational love story.
As the drinks flowed freely, Bachelor Nation stars packed the dance floor into the night. Guests mingled with beloved contestants from the franchise’s 30-year history. Iconic Bachelor couple Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney Mesnick were spotted doing a conga line alongside recent senior spin-off stars Elaine Gibson, 79, and Richard Peterson, 74.
Gerry’s best man and Golden Bachelor roommate Melvin Lewis, 71, gave a hilarious toast chronicling decades of friendship between the two widowers. “We’re both so blessed to start this new chapter,” said an emotional Gerry as he embraced his longtime pal.
The reception concluded with a sparkling fireworks show outside lighting up the desert sky in gold and white flashes. As guests waved glow stick wands, Gerry dipped Theresa back for one last kiss before riding off into the starry night in a vintage Rolls Royce…ready to start their happily ever after.
Newlywed Life and Looking to the Future
After the extravagant televised celebration fit for reality TV royalty, Gerry and Theresa are settling into married life. They departed the next morning for a safari honeymoon adventure in Kenya.
“We’ve already spotted elephants, zebras, and so many animals on just our first day!” said Theresa by phone from their resort overlooking the Maasai Mara wilderness. “This honeymoon has been a dream come true.”
Once the newlyweds return to America in two weeks, they plan to split their time between their two homes in California and Wisconsin while blending their families. The couple also hinted that wedding bells may soon ring for Theresa’s sister Janice, 67, and Gerry’s friend Melvin following their emotional reconnection at the reception.
“We feel so blessed to have found love in our golden years. My fairytale ending is really just the beginning,” said Theresa, smiling up at her new husband.
Last night’s spectacular Golden Wedding brought Bachelor Nation to tears and restored our faith in lasting romance at any age. Gerry and Theresa’s one-of-a-kind love story is a reminder that you truly can find your soulmate, even if she’s waiting at the end of the aisle with a walker.
We can’t wait to see what adventure this golden couple embarks on next! For now, it seems the pair will enjoy newlywed domestic bliss – maybe relaxing by the fire or on the lanai soaking up the sunsets of their golden years together.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
