It's the most anticipated wedding of the year so far, and today Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner, 72, will tie the knot with bride Theresa Nist, 70.
Now can exclusively reveal that the couple will wed under a rose-filled arch in a pretty walled courtyard at the exclusive La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California.
As the rest of the country shudders and the first major nor'easter of the season ravages the Northeast and Midwest, Turner and Nist will exchange vows in balmy 70F sunshine.
Exclusive photos offer a sneak peek into the corner of the resort where the duo will exchange their vows as preparations for the 5pm PST wedding – which will be broadcast live on ABC – are in full swing.
Golden bachelor Gerry Turner, 72, will say “I do” to his bride Theresa Nist, 70, in California's Mojave Desert today
Exclusive photos show preparations for the 5pm (PST) wedding are in full swing with the loved-up couple ready to tie the knot under an arch of pink roses
The wedding will be broadcast live on ABC after the couple got engaged on the hit reality dating show. After the ceremony, guests will be treated to a selection of two wedding cakes – a vanilla, chocolate and cappuccino candy selected by Turner and a lemon and raspberry candy selected by Nist
Behind the Rose Arch, the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains tower over the $300-a-night Coachella Valley Hotel, offering a breathtaking ceremony
The Coachella Valley Resort La Quinta has hosted Bachelor contestants before, with the 2020 Bachelorette season also filming at the La Quinta Resort and Club
Guests – including the happy couple's children – will sit on cream chairs for the outdoor ceremony, which will be lit by large church candles, each on its own black cast iron stand.
Behind a rose arch of delicate pink and cream blooms, the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains can be seen looming over the $300-a-night Coachella Valley Hotel.
Turner and Nist's wedding will be the first in the Golden Bachelor series – itself a spinoff of ABC's Bachelor and Bachelorette.
Like other shows in the series, The Golden Bachelor was not without controversy after it was revealed that “retired restaurateur” Turner from Indiana was a hot tub repairman who opened his last restaurant in 1985 – a hamburger joint called Mr. Quick – sold.
And although Turner claims to have been single since the unexpected death of his 43-year-old wife Toni in 2017, he has dated several women since her death – and even dumped an ex-girlfriend in January 2020 after she reportedly gained weight had.
Even his romance with Nist didn't quite go according to plan, with a crying Turner almost handing the rose to runner-up Leslie Fhima.
In the finale, shown on November 30, Turner spent a night each with Nist and Fhima – and told each woman individually that she was “the one.”
After finally choosing Nist and presenting her with a 3.5-carat princess-cut diamond ring from Neil Lane, a sobbing Turner said of Fhima: “The only time in my life I've felt so bad was, when my wife died, and that's a damn close second.'
He added: “I took a really good person and broke her heart.”
Production and filming equipment is in place for the wedding, which will be broadcast live on ABC tonight. Guests – including the happy couple's children – will sit on cream chairs for the outdoor ceremony, which will be lit by large church candles, each on its own black cast iron stand
The couple will marry under a rose-filled arch in a pretty walled courtyard at the exclusive La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California
Exclusive photos offer a sneak peek into the corner of the resort where the duo will make their vows. The sumptuous dinner includes a selection of appetizers served with cocktails, while the entrée includes a selection of steak and halibut as well as a vegetarian option
A large satellite can be seen at the venue. Nist will wear a custom-made dress by New York fashion house Badgley Mischka, while Turner has announced he will wear a formal black tuxedo for the second time
Despite the drama, the two are excited about their upcoming wedding. Both told People magazine that they were prepared for tears as they tied the knot.
Financial analyst Nist will be walked down the aisle by her son Tommy, 46, while her son-in-law Matt will be one of the witnesses.
Her grandchildren Brandon, Braxton, Brady, Dempsey and Leo will also be part of the groom's party, while her youngest grandson Henry will be the ring bearer.
Turner's son-in-law Rob, 44, will take on the role of best man, while his daughters Angie Warner, 43, and Jenny Young, 49, will be part of the bridal party – as will his granddaughters Charlee, 16, and Payton, 22.
The sunset ceremony will be led by Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles, who was eliminated in week five, while the vows will be performed to the sounds of a four-piece string orchestra.
Nist will wear a custom-made dress by New York fashion house Badgley Mischka, while Turner has announced he will wear a formal black tuxedo for the second time.
After the ceremony, guests will be treated to a selection of two wedding cakes – a vanilla, chocolate and cappuccino candy selected by Turner and a lemon and raspberry candy selected by Nist.
Turner and Nist's wedding will be the first in the Golden Bachelor series – itself a spinoff of ABC's Bachelor and Bachelorette.
The former hot tub installer and maintenance man eliminated 21 contestants and popped the question to Theresa sometime in mid-August with a $40,000 Neil Lane diamond sparkler. The grieving widowers eventually plan to move to Charleston, South Carolina together
The sumptuous dinner includes a selection of appetizers served with cocktails, while the entrée includes a selection of steak and halibut as well as a vegetarian option.
The Coachella Valley Resort La Quinta has hosted Bachelor contestants before, with the 2020 Bachelorette season also filming at the La Quinta Resort and Club.
The 2019 season was also filmed in La Quinta at the Hyatt Regency, and in 2003, the resort's Ritz-Carlton hotel was the site of the first wedding to take place in the franchise.
In addition to its long association with The Bachelor, La Quinta Resort and Club also has a storied Hollywood history – including being the location where director Frank Capra wrote the screenplay for the classic adventure film “Lost Horizon” poolside in 1937.
The property is also home to a PGA golf course, while La Quinta itself is dubbed the “Golf Capital of the World” due to its abundance of world-class golf courses.
As a result, the hotel has consistently welcomed celebrity visitors, including Kevin Costner, Justin Bieber, Eddie Murphy, Drew Barrymore and Susan Sarandon.