The first season of The Bachelor spin-off, ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ featuring seniors looking for a second chance at love, was a total success, not only with audiences but to the lucky couple that came out of it. Now, lead Gerry Turner and fiancée Theresa Nist will say “I do” in a televised wedding ceremony on Thursday, January 4.
The ceremony will air on ABC during “The Golden Wedding” special at 8 p.m. ET, and it will last two hours. Turner, 72, proposed to Nist, 70, during the finale of the season, which aired from September to November of 2023. Leslie Fhima, 64, was the runner-up of the season.
During the season’s finale, Turner told Nist that he loves her “1,000%” and he was “never going to stop believing that every day I choose you,” before popping out the question. Meanwhile, Nist confessed that didn’t think she had a chance at true love again, but now, she knows “the best is yet to come.”
The Golden Bachelor Wedding Special: What to expect
The special will be hosted by Jesse Palmer, who also hosted the first season of the spin-off. On the other hand, fans can also expect some appearances from other Golden Bachelor contestants, including Susan Noles, who will be officiating the wedding.
“I guess the secret is out! I’m officiating THE GOLDEN WEDDING and I’m just beyond excited!” she wrote on Instagram. Throughout her time on the show, Noles was regarded as “a girl’s girl.”
Talking to Glamour, Noles said that “The happy couple came up with the idea because we became so close during the show. Gerry’s my buddy and now Teresa is my girlfriend, so why not? I never asked them why, to tell you the truth. But I’m really glad they did.”
On the other hand, Nist told Entertainment Weekly that they want all of the women from ‘The Golden Bachelor’ to be there. We don’t know who’s going to be able to make it. And there will be people there from Bachelor Nation and then our close family and friends.”
According to People magazine, Turner has two daughters and two granddaughters, while Nist has a son, daughter and six grandsons. Both Turner and Nist married their high school sweethearts and lost them to illnesses.
Turned told Entertainment Weekly that “We will certainly celebrate the memory of Billy and Toni in the wedding.” He also told Deadline that “It would be absolutely an oversight to not honor their memories. And I like to use the word celebrate their memories. And then move forward with Gary and Theresa time.”
You can also stream it the following day on Hulu.