After airing one of 2023’s greatest love stories on The Golden Bachelor, ABC cordially invited members of Bachelor Nation to The Golden Wedding, a two-hour special live event on January 4 where 72-year-old Gerry Turner and 70-year-old Theresa Nist will officially tie the knot.
But before you cozy up on the couch, toast to the happy couple, and shed even more tears over renewed faith in late-in-life love, Decider hopped on a Zoom call with the Golden Bachelor and his Golden Gal to discuss details of the big day — from exciting hopes for the guest list and playlist to heartwarming plans to celebrate their late spouses, Toni and Billy.
“It’s them that got us to where we are — got us to the beginning of my season, both of us,” Turner told Decider on December 11. “And so 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.”
“We haven’t gotten to that yet, but I’m sure we will do that. Because that’s the next thing on our list, to write our vows. And that will go along with that,” Nist added. She went on to explain that she chose one of Billy’s favorite songs to play at her second wedding and suggested they should choose one for Toni as well.
Over the course of The Golden Bachelor‘s eight episodes, viewers learned that Toni, Turner’s high school sweetheart and wife of 43 years died of a bacterial infection, while Billy, Nist’s high school sweetheart and husband of 42 years, died of kidney failure. Their similar stories of loss bonded them very early on (Nist accompanied Turner on his first one-on-one date of the season) and related conversations shared throughout the show (including when Nist met Turner’s family) made it clear that the deep understanding of each other’s life experiences played a crucial role in their connection.
Despite a strong start with Nist, Turner did have serious relationships with two other women on the show: Faith Martin and runner-up Leslie Fhima, who also happened to be Nist’s closest friends on the show. Both women — along with members of Bachelor Nation — were admittedly heartbroken after being sent home. During at the After The Final Rose special, Fhima even revealed she was so sure she’d be walking down the aisle with Turner that she picked out a dress and wrote her vows! But despite Turner’s lengthy string of televised breakups, he and Nist extended an open wedding invitation to all The Golden Bachelor girls, Martin and Fhima included.
“They were the two women I was closest with, although I really do love all of these women. And I talked to all of them, and we really want all of them to come,” Nist said. “And how would we feel [about Faith and Leslie]? As long as they felt comfortable we would just be so thrilled if they came.” Turner agreed, adding, “Every one of them.”
Other expected guests? Popular franchise alum, and presumably future Bachelor lead Joey Graziadei will almost certainly be in attendance. In keeping with tradition, the great Jesse Palmer is hosting and perhaps even officiating, though it’s worth noting fan-favorite Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles is a wedding officiator in real life. “Interesting observation,” Turner says with a smile when Decider brings up Noles. “Jesse was a very good friend of mine on the show, and Susan’s been a very good friend to both of us. Who knows?” The only thing better than Noles officiating? Noles officiating in the presence of her look-alike icon, Kris Jenner, of course!
Golden Bachelor fans will recall that Jenner (a self-proclaimed member of Bachelor Nation) recorded a video for the Women Tell All special, saying, “This has been the most amazing season I have watched in all these years — literally since Trista and Ryan, so thank you for giving us so much joy so much pleasure. You guys have been such an inspiration to me and my family. We are obsessed with all of you. But me? Susan, you are amazing. I love your style. Love the hair. You nailed it, doll.”
“We would certainly welcome [Kris] and her entire family to that wedding. It would be a huge plus,” Turner said. “We would love it. And I know Susan would get such a kick out of that. It would be so great,” Nist beamed. “Oh god, she’d go crazy if she was there,” Turner echoed.
We’ll have to tune in to see who else turns out for the most highly-anticipated wedding in Bachelor history, but thankfully you don’t have to wait until January 4 for everything. The happy couple already revealed that Turner asked his sons-in-law to be his best men, Nist’s daughter (who played a large role in wedding planning) will be her maid of honor, she wants her sisters as flower girls, and all six of her grandsons will be involved. “Henry is the ring bearer. Do you know my grandson Henry?” Nist proudly asked. “So he’s looking forward to that.”
Gerry revealed that he wants to wear a blue suit. Theresa said she dreams of a choreographed dance. And all of Bachelor Nation knows The Golden Honeymoon will be in Italy, courtesy of the show.
Though the two are entering a new chapter in their lives away from the cameras, The Golden Wedding will still include nods to their Golden Bachelor love story. For starters, the event will feature signature drinks called “Birthday Suit,” “One Headlight,” and “Turn Her Into A Mrs.” And when asked what song is guaranteed to make them get up on the dance floor, the Golden Fiancés agreed on Paul Russell’s “Lil Boo Thang,” which played during the Night 1 dance party at the Bachelor Mansion.
“He really winked at me during that scene. Everyone thought that was edited that way but it really wasn’t,” Nist said recalling the late-night fun.
“Yeah. It was a wink to her,” Turner confirmed.
(If you’re looking to get in The Golden Wedding mood, Turner also shared the start of pre-wedding playlist on Instagram.)
Fans will also recall after Nist showed up in her birthday suit on Night 1, Turner brought her a cupcake and initiated their first make-out session by boldly smearing frosting on his lips for her to lick off. Nist, who revealed she doesn’t normally eat sugar, says she’d be down to give Bachelor Nation another iconic icing kiss when it’s time to cut the wedding cake, but she has some ground rules. “This time he’s gonna have to lick it off my lips. And I’m only putting it on lightly,” she said. “We’re going to have one big cake in his flavor and one small cake in mine.”
When the cameras are off and Turner and Nist are officially Golden Husband and Golden Wife, they’re looking forward to privacy and some semblance of normalcy. “Every minute we can plan out of the limelight we enjoy,” Turner said. “The last couple of days we’ve spent together here in New Jersey and we’ve gone to Teresa’s favorite restaurant and we’ve had a great time learn— dancing…” (Sounds like Nist is getting that choreographed dance after all!)
Thanks to The Golden Bachelor, the couple made reality TV history, warmed viewers’ hearts, smashed senior stereotypes, and got a second chance at lasting love. And though ABC has yet to announce the highly-anticipated Golden Bachelorette spin-off, Turner and Nist are all for one of the Golden Bachelor girls getting her own season in the future.
“It’s absolutely true that any one of these women would be perfect,” Nist said. “It is, and I don’t think the focus or the spotlight will be on future Golden Bachelorettes at our wedding. That’s going to be Theresa’s day —” Turner added. “We’ll make that their own spotlight, right? We want that to be special for them. I hope that happens. And yeah, we’re excited to see!” Nist said.
The Golden Wedding will premiere Thursday, January 4 on ABC from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.