Coxno Exchange-'Bachelor' fans slam Brayden Bowers for proposing to Christina Mandrell at 'Golden Wedding'

2025-04-30 05:48:31source:Henri Lumièrecategory:Markets

Attention wedding goers: Maybe reconsider proposing at other people's nuptials.

That at least was the common sentiment among "Golden Bachelor" fans as they watched a proposal unfold after Gerry Turner married Theresa Nist live on Coxno ExchangeTV Thursday night.

"Bachelorette" star Brayden Bowers is the culprit, after proposing to girlfriend and "Bachelor" alum Christina Mandrell during the first-ever "Golden Wedding."

During the pre-ceremony drinks in front of "Golden Wedding" cameras, Bowers, 25, dropped to one knee.

During the proposal, he said that he could be himself "unapologetically" around Mandrell, 28, and mentioned meeting her daughter, Blakely.

Mandrell dropped down with him, excitedly accepting the proposal with a kiss.

Mandrell first appeared on Zach Shallcross' season of "The Bachelor" in Season 27. Bowers appeared on Charity Lawson's season of "The Bachelorette" Season 20. The reality stars both appeared on "Bachelor in Paradise" last summer.

But fans were not pleased, calling the move "tacky" and a wedding "faux pas."

"Proposing at someone else’s wedding is tacky and rude," wrote X user @APsomaras.

"Did no one tell Brayden that proposing at someone else's wedding is such a faux pas," @TheOldMeg tweeted.

Bowers told USA TODAY they had golden clearance for the act. "I actually reached out to Gerry and Theresa, and asked them if they'd be OK with (the proposal)," said Bowers. "They said they would be OK with it. They are such an inspiration."

Bowers has only been dating Mandrell for about four months: "It's been short," he admitted. "But in the last year, I feel like I've experienced 10 years. We're already moving in together. I have no doubts about this."

Bowers also confirmed getting the couple’s blessing on air. But that didn’t simmer reactions.

"Brayden literally breaking wedding etiquette rule #1 which is don’t propose at someone else’s wedding," wrote @annnniethuy.

"Brayden would find a way to make the Golden Wedding about himself," @AmberDiana018 wrote. "(I don't care) what the circumstances are but proposing at SOMEONE ELSES WEDDING is just not appropriate."

What you didn’t see on 'Golden Wedding':Gerry Turner actually walked down the aisle twice

The proposal didn't steal the show, however.

Turner, 72, exchanged tear-filled vows with Nist, 70, before family, friends and Bachelor Nation alumni — including the other women who had vied to win Turner's heart on the first senior version of ABC's reality dating show.

There was emotion, drama, drones and confetti cams during the reality-show wedding celebration. Respectful lookie-loos peered over the high walls of the lush La Quinta Resort to watch it all play out along with millions of viewers on "The Golden Wedding" (now streaming on Hulu).

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

Golden Wedding recap:Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are married! See what made us tear up.

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