GERRY Turner and Theresa Nist are now husband and wife after the first-ever Golden Wedding.
Gerry, 72, and Theresa, 70, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California on Thursday night.
As the couple exchanged their vows during an emotional moment on the two-hour live broadcast on ABC, viewers took to social media to share their tearful reactions to the promises that the couple made to each other.
“I’m about to start crying like I’m at the wedding too,” one viewer wrote as another shared, “Don’t worry Gerry, I’m crying with you too.”
While the couple shared their vows, some fans noticed that the cameras cut to Gerry’s runner-up, Leslie Fhima, during the sentimental scene – and fans were quick to slam producers for the “petty” shot of Gerry’s ex.
“Now y’all know that y’all didnt need to pane over to Leslie when Gerry was saying his vows,” one viewer wrote as another demanded, “Leave Leslie alone. She is a star for showing up!”
“Now now @ABCNetwork y’all are petty for showing Leslie’s face after Gerry’s Costa Rica comment in his vows,” another shared.
The Golden Wedding is now available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Read our Golden Wedding blog for the latest updates…
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See Theresa Nist’s wedding dress
Theresa Nist looked gorgeous last night in a pure white mermaid dress covered in a beautiful pattern.
The dress sparkled under all of the lights from the ceremony and the cameras.
She wore a long white veil over her dress that covered her arms and the entire back of her dress.
The veil was see-through enough to view her sweetheart neckline and the off-the-shoulder straps on both her arms.
Credit: ABC 
Credit: ABC -
Brayden’s speech before proposing
After Brayden Bowers handed his microphone to Jesse Palmer so that he could propose to Christina Mandrell, he told Christina that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
“Christina, from the moment that I picked you up from the airport with your crazy ass rose and your fake disguise, I just knew that there was something special and there was something different,” he said.
He told the mom 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,” he said.
“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.”
Christina said yes and then added, “This is why we got our nails done?”
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Meet Brayden Bowers’ fiancée
Christina Mandrell is a reality television personality who first starred on Zach Shallcross‘ season of The Bachelor.
She was eliminated early on in the season but was still a fan favorite.
Away from television, Mandrell is a content creator based in Nashville, Tennessee. She is also the niece of Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell.
The Bachelor alum often posts about her life and travels on Instagram to more than 167,000 followers.
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Viewers shared reactions to Brayden’s proposal
Fans of the Bachelor on X, formerly known as Twitter, had a lot of opinions on the engagement.
One said: “STOPPP NOOOO BRAYDON THIS IS TOO TACKY.”
Another yelled: “You don’t propose at another man’s wedding!”
“Please not Brayden proposing to Christina at this wedding?!!! How rude!!!” added a third.
A fan wrote: “I hate people who ask to marry others at someone’s wedding!!!”
“Of course, Brayden has to steal the moment & propose to Christina!!!” commented a fifth.
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Brayden Bowers and Christina Mandrell engaged
Before tonight’s wedding, the host of the show Jesse Palmer, 45, interviewed various cast members from other seasons – including Brayden and Christina.
During their interview, Jesse called the couple “adorable,” and they pointed out that their outfits coordinated.
It was also revealed that the couple met after Christina slid into Brayden’s direct messages on social media. Plus, Brayden decided he would move all the way to Tennessee to live with his new partner.
Then, Brayden asked Jesse to hold his microphone as he got on one knee and proposed.
“For the first time in my life I feel like I found someone that I can be myself with unapologetically, he said.
Of course, Christina shed a few tears as she said, “Yes,” and they kissed for the camera.
It was mentioned later in the live episode that Brayden called Gerry and Theresa for their blessing before proposing at the wedding.
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Jesse rushes out
As the event came to a close, host Jesse Palmer checked his watch and said he had to leave for a special reason:
“I’m gonna be a dad!” the host said.
While speaking to the camera, he told his wife, Emely, that he loves her and that he’s coming home to be with her now.
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Don’t Stop Believin’ closes out the event
The wedding band’s cover of Don’t Stop Believin’ closes out the two-hour event.
Theresa and Gerry were surprised with a flash mob during their first date of people singing Don’t Stop Believin’.
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Bouquet toss goes to…
Joan, Ana, and Kathy got some petals after a chaotic bouquet toss.
Rachel Recchia is shown in the crowd laughing after she went for the flowers.
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Dotun reveals wedding date
Dotun shares that Charity and Dotun will be getting married in Fall of 2025!
“I was wondering when we were gonna hear that news from Charity and Dotun,” Jesse Palmer said.
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Zach and Kaity return
Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar are in attendance tonight.
“That was absolutely beautiful,” Kaity says.
Meanwhile, Charity asks Dotun if he was “taking notes” during the ceremony.
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Gerry and Theresa are husband and wife!
Gerry and Theresa Turner are now pronounced husband and wife!
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Theresa suffers wardrobe malfunction
Viewers have noticed that Theresa’s wedding dress strap seems to have broken off.
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Ring malfunction
The ring bearer had trouble getting the rings off of the cushion, and now Susan is having trouble getting the rings off of their ribbon.
“Are you guys trying to trick me here?” Susan asks.
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Gerry gives his vows
Gerry says that from the first sip of his chocolate shake to his last sip of Costa Rican coffee, he learned that Theresa is the woman he can’t live without.
“I promise that if you’re my partner in life, I’ll make you the happiest woman on earth,” Gerry promises.
He promises to keep her safe and to give her comfort.
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Theresa shares her vows
Theresa tells Gerry that the flash mob on their first date felt right because she always feels like music should be playing in her life.
Gerry breaks down in tears as Theresa promises to be the calm in his storm.
“I love you with all my heart and I cannot wait to be your wife,” Theresa said.
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Family shares a message
Gerry’s daughters are getting up to speak at the ceremony.
The daughters break down in tears as they share their well wishes for the couple.
“Dad, I know everyone here calls you the first Golden Bachelor – but we’re just honored to call you dad,” the women say.
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Theresa walks down the aisle
Theresa is walking down the aisle – and Gerry is visibly emotional.
Credit: ABC 
Credit: ABC -
Viewers furious at commercial break
There’s another commercial break before Theresa walks down the aisle to Gerry – and fans are furious at the break.
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The wedding begins
The orchestra starts to play – and Gerry is walking down the aisle to the officiant, Susan Noles!
Susan is shown putting her hand over her heart, which she did during The Golden Bachelor’s rose ceremony to calm Gerry down.
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Theresa and Gerry cry the night before
Gerry cried as he told Theresa that he couldn’t have found a better partner than her.
“It’s incredible that I found someone like you.”
“Tonight is the last night I want to spend away from Gerry,” Theresa said.
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Grab your tissues
There’s only one more commercial break – and then the first-ever Golden Wedding begins!
Host Jesse Palmer warned viewers to grab their tissues before the huge event.
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Faith is willing to move
Kathy asks Faith Martin if she’d move for the right guy after telling Gerry that she didn’t want to leave Washington.
“For the right guy, I’ll move tomorrow!” Faith said.
As Kathy and Charity close out the bar, Dotun comes to bring his fiancée some more drinks.
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Inside Theresa’s bachelorette party
Theresa invited women from Gerry’s season of The Golden Bachelor to her bachelorette party.
Ellen, Faith, Sandra, Susan are celebrating the bride together before her big day.
Theresa is surprising the women with a boudoir photo shoot to “celebrate their sexuality.”
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Brayden got the couple’s blessing
Jesse Palmer just revealed that Brayden Bowers called Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist and asked if it would be okay if he got engaged at their wedding.
He got the golden couple’s blessing before proposing to Christina Mandrell tonight.
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Fans divided over Brayden’s proposal
Fans are stunned that Brayden Bowers proposed to Christina Mandrell at The Golden Wedding.
While some fans are happy for the couple, others think that making the big move at someone else’s big day is “classless.”