The inaugural season ofThe Golden Bacheloretteended with Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple getting engaged on national television, and I’m convinced we’ll be graced with anotherGolden Bachelorwedding in 2025. 61-year-old Joan was no stranger to looking for love on television, as she made her debut as a contestant onThe Golden Bachelorseason 1. When she had to leave early due to a family emergency, she thought herBachelorjourney was over, but it had only begun. She was soon announced asThe Golden Bachelorette.
Joan kicked offThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1by greeting 24 singlemen, including 60-year-old Chock Chapple. The season ended with the couple getting engaged and riding off into the sunset to claim their happy ending. Since getting engaged, the couplehave seemed happy as they blend their lives and families. It’s been too long sinceThe Golden Bachelorgifted us with aGoldenwedding, but I’m convinced there will be another star-studded franchise wedding in our future.

The First Golden Bachelor Wedding
Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist
The Golden Bachelorseason 1ended with a wedding. 72-year-old Gerry Turner gave his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist ina lavish wedding event that aired on ABC a few weeks after the final roseceremony. Gerry and Theresa were both widowers who had never expected to be walking down the aisle again. Neither of them had a big wedding with their late spouses, and ABC spared no expense on the fairy tale dream wedding.
20 Best Reality TV Dating Shows
Reality TV dating has become a complex and nuanced part of the genre, welcoming all different types of dating shows. Here are the 20 best!
Hopes were high for Gerry and Theresa, who came to symbolize hope of finding love later in life. Hopes were dashed when the couple announced their divorce after three months of marriage. In recent months, Gerryrevealed he had been diagnosed with cancersoon after his wedding, which may have kept him from really focusing on his marriage. Though their divorce was a disappointment, he didn’t regret meeting or marrying Theresa.
Joan & Chock Are Deeply In Love
There May Be Wedding Bells In Their Future
Long before joining thecast ofThe Golden BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorette,Joan was a lonely widower living in Maryland. She was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he died in 2021. Chock had also lost a great love. He was engaged to Katherine Goree for nine years before she passed away in 2022. I wasso happy Joan and Chock found love again after everything they’d both lost. Chock even lost his mother while filming Joan’s season, but he hurried back to win Joan’s heart.
Joan and Chock bonded early duringThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 over their shared sense of loss.

After getting engaged onThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, Joan and Chock have focused on blending their families. They have six adult children between them, plus Joan has several grandchildren. TheVassos and Chapple families got together for the holidays recentlyandJoanand Chock posted the family photos to Instagram. Everyone in the photos looked happy, and I think Joan and Chock will be announcing their wedding date soon.
Mark Anderson Could Surprise Us
Dark Horse Candidate
58-year-old Mark Andersonmade his television debut duringThe Bachelor28, when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, took Joey Grazadei to Louisiana for her hometown date. Thewidowed father of five became an instant fan favoriteand was cast inThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 as a contestant. Though he was expected to win Joan’s heart, the two lacked chemistry, and Joan eliminated Mark before her hometown dates.
Mark could surprise everyone with his ownGolden Bachelorwedding in 2025.
When Mark was eliminated fromThe Golden Bachelorette, he was devastated, but some fans were happy because they expected him to be the nextGolden Bachelor.Since leaving the show, itseems Mark has been dating Barbara Woods, a television actress known for her work on the drama seriesOne Tree Hill.If Mark’s in a relationship, he can’t beThe Golden Bachelor,butthe nextGoldenwedding could be Mark and Barbara walking down the aisle.
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.