Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the first ever Golden Bachelor couple, will tie the knot on live TV on January 4, and fans want to know every detail about their special day – which will undoubtedly be a stunning occasion
When Gerry Turner applied for the first ever Golden Bachelor, he was hoping for a second attempt at love. After losing his wife of more than four decades, Toni, back in 2017 he was left completely heartbroken, but after six years of grief he decided he was ready to love again.
And he found just that in 70-year-old Theresa Nist, a successful businesswoman believed to be worth up to $1m. Viewers watched the couple fall in love during the hit series, although many other hearts were broken along the way. It was an obvious yes when Gerry got down on one knee and proposed in a beautiful beach setting during the finale, and the couple were quick to tell crowds they had no plans to wait for their big day.
Speaking to People magazine after the show, Gerry said: “When you’re in your 20s and you put something off for a year, it’s a very small percentage of your life. In your 70s, the clock ticks faster. And I’m 100% certain I found the right girl for me. So it’s like, why not?”
With just a few days to go until the big day, the final preparations are being made to ensure everything goes exactly to plan. While many of the details are being kept secret for the live show, this is everything we know so far about the first ever Golden Bachelor wedding.
Date and time
The couple announced their wedding date during the live finale, so fans knew they didn’t have long to wait. Gerry and Theresa will have their wedding on January 4. The timings aren’t yet known, but the TV broadcast begins at 8pm ET.
They are likely to have a good run up of content before the vows themselves.
Possible venues
While the venue is yet to be officially announced, the loved-up couple were spotted touring the La Quinta Resort & Club in California earlier this month. Snaps shared online by social media account Reality Steve showed the couple checking out the stunning hotel, hand-in-hand.
Fans of The Bachelor family of shows may recognize La Quinta from the 16th season of The Bachelorette, which was filmed there during Covid restrictions. The lavish venue first opened its doors in 1926 and is now art of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels And Resorts family.
The venue resides at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains and currently boasts an impressive 796 casitas, suites, and villas, 41 swimming pools, 53 whirlpool spas, a 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta. There is also 60,000 square feet of meeting facilities, 23 tennis courts, 11 retail outlets, seven restaurants, and 90 holes of golf for guests to enjoy.
Guest list
By televising their wedding, Gerry and Theresa face another question no Bachelor couple before them has faced – do we invited the exes?
Theresa went up against 22 other women for her man’s heart, and during the course of filming the show became extremely close to a few of the women. However of course things were awkward at times as they women were all dating Gerry, especially after Theresa was named the winner. She admitted herself her friendship with runner-up Leslie Fhima “got a little weird” after the show ended.
The conundrum has got fans talking, with most hoping the exes WILL be there on the day for the TV drama – even if it is a little bit awkward.
One Reddit user started a discussion on The Golden Bachelor page, writing: “Jesse stated that they’ll be broadcasting the wedding (100% gonna tune it), and apparently the Golden Bachelorettes would be in attendance. I just wanna know, do you think Ellen/Faith/Leslie will be there? I would be surprised if they would, but I want opinions and discussion.”
In the comments, one fan pointed out that Theresa admitted her friendship with Faith Martin and Leslie and believed they would attend. But others might not get an invite. The fan pointed out that the whole cast wasn’t “even invited by ABC to the [After The Final Rose] part of the show.”
Another fan pointed out that going would be “beneficial” for the other ladies. “If there’s an incentive to be there, I’m sure any of them would go,” they said. Another added: “If they want more screentime to gain more popularity, they’ll be there.”
The popularity of the contestants could also be a factor. “The women on the show had such great camaraderie. Most are friends with Theresa so I imagine they will attend. And ABC knows how popular all the women are so I am sure they are all invited,” one fan said.
Fans hoped that their favorites would show, hopefully with a plus one. “They should all be there—maybe with dates? I’m sure they’ll have no trouble finding a date,” someone wrote. Another added that it would be a good place for the single women to have another chance at finding love.
“I say the wedding is a perfect time for ABC to bring in some single, eligible, older men and let the Golden Bachelorettes mingle and dance the night away with potential suitors,” they said.
Bridal party
In a change from tradition, Theresa has asked her daughter Jenny to act as her maid of honor on the day, saying she was “thrilled” to be asked. Meanwhile her sisters acting as flower girls. Gerry has asked his son in laws to act as his best man.
All of Theresa’s six grandsons will also have a role in the big day, with one of them – Henry – acting as the ring bearer.
First dance
One of the few clues the couple have given about their day refers to the music, with Gerry posting some of his favorite artists on social media. He shared a snap of some handwritten notes he’d made titled Gerry’s Playlist. Dua Lipa tops the list followed by Latto, Pink, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.
He captioned the photo: “Could this be the start of a WEDDING playlist….”
But what fans were most excited about were the top songs at the bottom, which he’s written under the subheading “first dance possibilities”. They are Celine Dion’s The Power of Love and I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.
