Get ready for the wedding event of the decade as the Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner ties the knot with his second love, Theresa Nist. When Turner embarked on his “Golden Bachelor” journey, the 72-year-old widower from Indiana captured hearts by expressing that he wasn’t searching for a woman he could simply live with, but rather a woman he couldn’t live without. And that turned out to be Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, N.J.
Turner and Nist are scheduled to exchange vows during a live televised event at 8 p.m. on Thursday, airing on ABC. The officiator will be Susan Noles, a fan-favorite from “The Golden Bachelor”, while Kathy Swarts from “Zip it!” fame will serve as a gold carpet correspondent. Despite a recent hospitalization, heartbroken runner-up Leslie Fhima attended the event.
Follow along with USA TODAY as we witness the Golden Wedding, and make sure to have tissues ready!
After the ceremony, Leslie and Gerry share a heartfelt embrace, participate in the bouquet toss, and share their first dance.
During Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s first dance, they incorporated a lighthearted moment that resembled a classic dad joke. “I almost forgot the really important advice,” he announced to the crowd. “Don’t stop believing.” As the famous Journey song began to play, the couple gracefully danced. Moments later, Turner embraced runner-up Leslie Fhima on the dance floor to the sound of the same song, and they shared a heartfelt hug.
Fhimɑ didn’t want to miss out on the dancing at the wedding, but unfortunately, she did miss out on catching the bouquet. The competition was intense, with the bouquet being split between three lucky women: Joɑn Vɑssos, Annɑ Zɑlk, and Kɑthy Swɑrts. Kɑthy is well-known for her competitive nature and strong desire to meet the right man.
Before the ceremony, Kɑthy stole the show as the gold carpet host, entertaining everyone with her self-deprecating humor and witty jokes. Her comedic presence on a national stage was truly unforgettable. One viewer on X even mentioned that Kɑthy should be trending that night because of how hilariously funny she had been throughout the wedding.
In the end, it was announced that Gerry and Thеrеsɑ were officially married!
Our hearts are filled with joy and excitement. Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are now officially married, only a few months after their first encounter on “The Golden Bachelor” where they shared their emotional pasts and the loss of their previous spouses with the world. It was an incredibly emotional ceremony, as both Turner and Nist cried tears of happiness throughout their vows.
Above all, Nist expressed her desire to have fun for the remainder of their days on Earth. Jokingly, she added, “Which could be another hour.” But then, in a heartfelt moment, she declared her love for Turner and couldn’t wait to become his wife.
In response, Turner assured her that he knew this moment was destined by a higher power. He proclaimed, “From the first sip of a chocolate shake to the last sip of Costa Rican coffee, I realized that you are the woman I cannot live without.”
Turner passionately continued, stating that it wasn’t just his ears that heard her expressions of love, but his very soul. The camera then cut to Leslie Fhima, the heartbroken runner-up, who appeared hurt and disappointed. However, it’s important to note that Turner had also professed his love for her in Costa Rica, so his intentions seem genuine.
After exchanging vows, they exchanged rings and were pronounced husband and wife. Their officiant, Mr. Nolles, encouraged them to take on the world together, with all their hopes and dreams. Nist giggled with excitement, and the newlyweds shared a passionate kiss and an even tighter embrace before turning to the crowd and raising their clasped hands in celebration.
“Let’s hear it for Mr. and Mrs. Turner!” proclaimed Mr. Nolles, as the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.
The start of the wedding ceremony is marked by an overflow of heartfelt tears.
Gerry Turner was overcome with emotion even before he laid eyes on his bride Theresa Nist walking towards him down the aisle. But when she appeared, he completely broke down.
His lower lip trembled and tears streamed down his face; it was clear that Turner was deeply moved by the moment. Officiant and “Golden Bachelor” fan favorite Susan Noles also struggled to deliver her introduction through tears, emphasizing how Theresa looks at Gerry.
“You weren’t kidding about the way she looks at you,” she said to Gerry, as Theresa joined him at the altar after being given away by her son. “Standing up here with you two tonight is truly an honor, and I thank you both. Okay, let’s proceed with the ceremony.”
The ceremony continued with emotional speeches from the couple’s respective daughters, as Gerry and Theresa themselves struggled to hold themselves together.
Fan favorites of the popular reality show “The Golden Bachelor” are flaunting their alluring personalities.
Many women found “The Golden Bachelor” to be a valuable source of inspiration, highlighting the importance of embracing our bodies and sexuality at any age. The ladies took this message to heart by organizing a provocative photo shoot and bachelorette party. Nist was responsible for arranging the photo shoots featuring some of her friends from the show, including Susan Nolѐs, Faith Martin, Ellen Goltzer, and Sandra Mason. The shoot seemed to awaken their more seductive sides as they confidently posed in lingerie. “I have numerous naughty thoughts about Denzel Washington,” Mason admitted, censored some of her explicit desires for the actor. Goltzer, best known for her impressive pickleball skills, confessed, “This whole thing is outside my comfort zone, but I felt really sexy.” Later, dancers from Chippendales made a surprise appearance, with Nolѐs feeling the need to spice things up. She jokingly observed Mason “playing the bongos on a six-pack.” Martin, on the other hand, felt a bit bashful about the evening, commenting, “He had smooth abs and tight skin… I sound like a predator.” These ladies certainly know how to make aging look more exciting than we anticipated.
Theresa Nist’s shopping experience brought a mix of tears and laughter.
If you didn’t find yourself laughing and shedding tears during Theresa Nist’s dress shopping experience, then questioning your humanity might be in order. Gerry Turner’s daughter and Nist’s daughter were there, as well as the beloved co-stars Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles. As Nist tries on one potential dress, she turns to Swarts and jokingly says, “Kathy, I need a favor from you. I can’t zip it,” in a hilarious nod to Swarts’ accidental catchphrase she gained when she became exasperated with Nist’s excitement about her date with Turner earlier in the season. Following the joke, Swarts commented, “Today, it was my delight to zip it for Theresa.”
Meanwhile, Nist expressed that it felt like a fairy tale when she tried on dresses from Badgley Mischka. She mentioned that it had been 51 years since she last wore a wedding gown, as her high school sweetheart and husband of 42 years passed away in 2014.
Watching her mother try on dresses, Nist’s daughter, Jen Woolston, became emotional and recalled the time when her mother helped her choose her own wedding dress. She tightly hugged her mother and exclaimed, “You look beautiful! She’s going to be gorgeous, and it will be the most magical day. I can’t wait.”
Natascha, Edith, and Joan are present here!
Several elegant queens from “The Golden Bachelor” have made their grand entrance, dressed to impress. Natascha Hardee chose a stunning low-cut velvet magenta gown. While “Bachelor” host Jesse Palmer expressed his anticipation to see her dance, she admitted her excitement to simply sit down.
“The seats are really comfortable, they’re so cushiony,” she shared, referring to the ceremony seating. “I can’t wait to rest my behind on those seats.”
To add a touch of whimsy, she accessorized with green earrings shaped like chairs.
Meanwhile, Edith Aguirre and Joan Vassos engaged in a lively conversation with the hosts of the golden carpet, Kathy Swarts and Charity Lawson. Aguirre donned a long-sleeved crimson gown, while Vassos rocked a daring black cutout dress.
Aguirre expressed that the wedding came as no surprise, recalling their friend Theresa’s excitement after her first date. “I remember Theresa coming home that night and telling me, ‘You know what, this is it. Between me and him, we have a spark,'” Aguirre recounted. “I knew right then and there that they were something special.”
Vassos chimed in, saying, “It truly is a love story,” and added that she and the other “Golden Bachelor” ladies are ready to find love, with high hopes for the year 2024.
Playing along, Swarts joked, “I’m single. I definitely need a guy.”
As they raised their glasses, Swarts declared, “Here’s to love and all the single ladies out there. May we all find our perfect match by next year.”
Lastly, Leslie Fhima, the heartbroken runner-up, arrived and declared, “We must celebrate love.”
The surprise guest at the event just answered our most burning question of the night. Leslie Fhima, the runner-up on the “Golden Bachelor” show, made an appearance on the gold carpet and had a conversation with host Kathy Swarts. Swarts asked her what she would like Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist to know.
“In our age, we should celebrate love,” she said. “Theresa and I were very good friends. We supported each other throughout our time in the show and throughout this journey. I’m so happy for her and Gerry. I’m here at the end of the day to support love.”
Shortly after, Ben Higgins from Season 20 of “The Bachelor” arrived, making Swarts and Fhima swoon. Fhima even had the opportunity to dance with him before he walked away.
Meanwhile, Jesse Palmer might miss the birth of his baby for a wedding, and Kathy Swarts and Charity Lawson are working the carpet.
The host of “Bachelor,” Jesse Palmer, started the wedding livestream by revealing that he might not be present for the birth of his baby. “Personally, I wasn’t sure if I would make it here,” he said. “That’s because my wonderful wife Emily is currently at home, and we’re expecting our first child any moment now. Seriously, it could happen tonight.” He expressed his love and longing for his wife and asked her to call him if she needed anything. “I will leave here immediately,” he assured her.
Meanwhile, the gold carpet host Kathy Swarts announced that she did not bring a date and proudly mentioned that she predicted this wedding day after Gerry Turner’s and Theresa Nist’s first date. Swarts, known for telling Nist to “zip it” when she was excessively talking about one of her dates with Turner, jokingly asked, “Who thought it was a good idea to give me a microphone?”
Guests are currently entering the ceremony.
The 150 wedding guests, including members of the media, are entering the venue in Palm Springs, dressed immaculately. The women are wearing elegant floor-length gowns, some even opting for strapless despite the cool temperatures in the low 60s.
Beachwood chairs and even couches are arranged around the altar, which is beautifully adorned with groups of 10 candles and a sea of roses.
Among the esteemed guests is Henry, the 6-year-old grandson of Theresa Nist, and the youngest member of the wedding party.
Joey Graziani, the upcoming star of “The Bachelor” season, is seen socializing in a green suit, alongside other members of Bachelor Nation, including Wells Adams, the beloved bartender from “Bachelor in Paradise.”
—
Amanda Lee Myers
and
Bryan Alexander
Golden Wedding Day!
Who will preside over the ceremony, how to watch Gerry Turner, Theresa Nist TV special
Who emerged as the winner of “The Golden Bachelor”:
10 noteworthy things about Theresa Nist
The essentials:
‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner reveals his expectations ahead of the Golden Wedding to Theresa
Forever?
A comprehensive list of every Bachelor Nation couple still happily together
Sneak peek of the picturesque wedding venue and enchanting ceremony.
Exclusive access was granted to entertainment reporters who were able to capture behind-the-scenes pictures of the ceremony in Palm Springs. Bryan Alexander from USA TODAY shared photos taken just before the event was set to begin. Reality Zachary, an entertainment host, also shared pictures of what appeared to be the ceremony site on Thursday, featuring an arch covered in pink roses that could potentially be the altar. Another TV writer, Reality Steve, shared several photos of a rehearsal ceremony in front of the same arch on Wednesday. Gerry Turner, Theresa Nist, and officiant Susan Noles were all visible in the pictures, surrounded by palm trees and Spanish architecture. Noles has been sharing updates on social media platforms, including one on Facebook and multiple photos on Instagram, including one with former contestants Kathy Swarts and Nancy Hulkower. Swarts also shared a photo with a big smile, expressing excitement for the upcoming wedding. In addition, ABC announced that Kathy Swarts and Charity Lawson will serve as gold carpet correspondents for the Golden Wedding event. Swarts is known for her temper, particularly when former “Golden Bachelor” winner Theresa Nist talked about her dates with Turner during the season. Lawson, on the other hand, was a contestant on the 20th season of “The Bachelorette” and made it to the hometown episode of the 27th season of “The Bachelor.” She got engaged to “The Bachelorette” contestant Dotun Olubeko at the end of the season. It was previously announced by ABC that Susan Noles, who has a warm personality loved by Turner, Nist, and fans, will officiate the ceremony.
Original content by Amanda Lee Myers.
with excitement. The lively atmosphere of this desert oasis is palpable, making it a top destination for those seeking a vibrant and enjoyable experience.
Despite efforts to keep the location of the Golden Wedding a secret, several members of Bachelor Nation have been sharing their experiences on social media from La Quinta Resort Club in Palm Springs, California. This resort is known for its retro cool vibes, breathtaking mountains, and as a popular celebrity retreat from Los Angeles.
The resort offers couples the opportunity to have swanky weddings, with options to get married by a waterfall, host their loved ones in an elegant ballroom, and access to 41 pools and five golf courses.
Kenny Braasch, who appeared on The Bachelorette and won Bachelor in Paradise, posted an Instagram story with his wife, Mari Pepin, arriving at Palm Springs International Airport and videos of them at La Quinta Resort. In one video, Pepin showcased a tote bag that read, “The Golden Wedding 2024.”
Brayden Bowers, a recent Bachelor in Paradise alum, was tagged in Braasch’s story while enjoying breakfast on what appeared to be the patio near one of the resort’s pools. Bowers also shared videos of a welcome party for wedding guests at the resort’s Adobe Grill, featuring former Bachelorette Charity Lawson and former Golden Bachelor contestants Faith Martin, Ellen Goltzer, Kathy Swarts, Joan Vassos, Nancy Hulkower, and many more.
To watch the Golden Wedding, tune in live at 8 p.m. ET on January 4th on ABC or stream it on Hulu the following day. Previous episodes are also available for streaming on the platform.
