Christina Mandrell and her boyfriend Brayden Bowers got engaged during the Golden Bachelor's live wedding ceremony on Thursday.
The 28-year-old “Bachelor Nation” star and 25-year-old “Bachelor In Paradise” alum stopped by the gold carpet for an interview with Jesse Palmer – just before the golden wedding anniversary between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist.
The couple – whose relationship was revealed during the season 9 finale of Bachelor In Paradise last month – stood close as they discussed Bowers' move to Tennessee to move in with Mandrell.
“Well, actually I'm moving out to Tennessee…we decided I'm going to move in. I'm leaving on Saturday morning.” “We'll make the 29 hour drive and I'll move in,” he explained as he put his arm around her shoulders.
After a short pause, Brayden announced, “Actually, I had something else planned for tonight.”
Christina Mandrell, 28, and her boyfriend Brayden Bowers, 25, got engaged during the Golden Bachelor's live wedding ceremony on Thursday
The “Bachelor Nation” star and “Bachelor In Paradise” alum stopped by the gold carpet for an interview with Jesse Palmer – just before the golden wedding between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist
He then handed Jesse his microphone and turned to Mandrell, who gave him a questioning look.
The reality star gently took her hands in his and said sweetly, “Christina, from the moment you picked me up from the airport with your crazy rose and your fake disguise, I just knew there was something special and this It was 'something else.'
Other participants near the lovebirds began to understand the spontaneous suggestion and watched eagerly from a distance.
“And then I got to spend time with you and Blakely,” he continued, referring to Mandrell's daughter. “I have to take some time to show you and introduce you to my family.”
“And for the first time in my life, I feel like I've found someone with whom I can be unapologetically myself. “And I have no doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He then referred to Turner and Nist and said: “And like Gerry said, you know, we have so little time and Theresa, I mean, they're the biggest inspiration.”
“I know I want to spend the rest of my days with you,” Brayden gushed, and after another brief pause, he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring, causing the crowd of other contestants to erupt in excited cheers and applause.
“And so, Christina Mandrell,” he added, as she also fell to her knees in front of him in shock.
The couple – whose relationship was revealed on the season 9 finale of Bachelor In Paradise last month – were seen close together while discussing Bowers' move to Tennessee to move in with Mandrell
After a short pause, Brayden announced, “Actually, I had something else planned for tonight.”
He then handed Jesse his microphone and turned to Mandrell, who gave him a questioning look
The reality star gently took her hands in his and said sweetly, “Christina, from the moment you picked me up from the airport with your crazy ass rose and your tour fake disguise, I just knew there was something special , and that was it 'something else'
Other participants near the lovebirds began to understand the spontaneous suggestion and watched eagerly from a distance
“And then I got to spend time with you and Blakely,” he continued, referring to Mandrell's daughter. “I got to spend time and show you and introduce you to my family,” he added
Before Bowers could continue, Mandrell shouted happily, “Yes!” Yes!'
She lovingly placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to kiss him. 'What!' the mother-of-one exclaimed, still shocked at the suggestion.
Christina fell to her knees in front of Brayden, who was still on one knee holding the ring. 'Put it on me!' she yelled humorously, referring to the diamond ring.
As he pulled the ring out of the box, a partygoer came over and handed them both full glasses of sparkling champagne.
'What! “That's why we got our nails done?” Mandrell asked jokingly, prompting him to playfully reply, “You're such a pain in the ass!”
He placed the ring on her finger and the lovebirds stood up to hug each other and were quickly surrounded by others in attendance to offer their congratulations and good wishes.
Jesse, who had been standing nearby during the proposal, then explained: “Brayden and Christina Mandrell just got engaged live here at the Golden Wedding Anniversary. That's absolutely incredible.”
“Now there's a lot more to celebrate here tonight.” You know, it's really an evening full of surprises. Love is in the air!'
“And for the first time in my life I feel like I've found someone with whom I can be unapologetically myself.” And I have no doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
“I know I want to spend the rest of my days with you,” Brayden gushed, and after another brief pause, he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring, causing the crowd of other contestants to erupt in excited cheers and applause
And so, Christina Mandrell,” he added, as she also fell to her knees in front of him in shock. Before Bowers could continue, Mandrell shouted happily, “Yes!” Yes!'
She lovingly placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to kiss him. 'What!' the mother-of-one exclaimed, still shocked at the suggestion
As he pulled the ring out of the box, a partygoer came over and handed them both full glasses of sparkling champagne
According to Us Weekly, Jesse also revealed that Brayden sought permission from both Gerry and Theresa before popping the big question at the ceremony.
A picture of Mandrell and Bowers was also uploaded to the Golden Bachelor's Instagram page shortly after the marriage proposal.
Christina was seen holding up her left hand to show off the ring, while her fiancé stood behind her and lovingly placed his hand on her waist.
The post was captioned, “We love love!!” Congratulations to Bachelor Nation's newest fiancés #TheGoldenWedding.
The engagement came shortly after Christina announced on Instagram that she and Brayden had plans to move in together in early 2024.
Taking to her Stories, she uploaded a snap of herself cleaning and wrote: “Full Delulu mode because I thought I'd manage to get the whole house organized before Brayden moves in… so this is what it looks like now.”
Last month in December, after their romance was revealed on the Season 9 finale of Bachelor In Paradise, Mandrell posted a sweet video montage of herself and Bowers on her main Instagram page.
'UHHH! We can shout “FINAL” from the rooftops!! Beyond the cameras and reality show drama, Brayden (aka MY BOYFRIEND!) and I have found something very special.”
“Within each other we have a space where it is not only accepted but also celebrated that we ourselves are uncompromising!” Something I never knew I was missing until I did it. Finally we can share our silly, love-filled world.'
He placed the ring on her finger and the lovebirds stood up to hug each other and were quickly surrounded by others in attendance to offer their congratulations and good wishes
According to Us Weekly, Jesse also revealed that Brayden sought permission from both Gerry and Theresa before popping the big question at the ceremony
The engagement came shortly after Christina announced on Instagram that she and Brayden had plans to move in together in early 2024
She added: “From San Diego to Nashville will be not just a change of scenery, but the next chapter of our journey as a team. A future where laughter, authenticity and the strength of 'US' define our story.”
“From silly antics to heartfelt moments, we experience this adventure together, cheering each other on and creating a home full of laughter and love.”
Mandrell concluded: “Grateful for the ease of being exactly who we are with each other. There's something very special about finding a love that feels like home.”
Christina was previously married to Blake Dennis and the former couple share daughter Blakely.