The Most Romantic 'Bachelor' Weddings in Franchise History
First comes love, then comes the final rose, then comes marriage… in the Bachelor franchise, that is. ABC's hit reality show has produced plenty of love stories throughout its two decades on the air, and while we've seen our fair share of dramatic fights and breakups, we've also been treated to a few beautiful weddings. Bachelor Nation knows that, while a lasting relationship is a rare outcome for most hopefuls who try their shot at love, a few lucky contestants have found the fairy tale romance of their dreams.
As fellow Bach fans, we've ranked the best Bachelor engagement rings and the most swoon-worthy Bachelor proposals. Now, we look back on the most romantic Bachelor weddings in franchise history. Take a moment to relive the most memorable weddings, from JoJo and Jordan's vineyard fête to Arie and Lauren's Twilight-inspired soirée.
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's Wedding
On January 4, 2024, the first ever Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, married his final pick Theresa Nist at an elegant ceremony in Palm Springs, California. The Knot's Entertainment & Celebrity Editor attended The Golden Wedding and had a front-row seat to the highly-anticipated event, which aired live on ABC. (Psst: If you missed it, it's also available to stream on Hulu.) Countless iconic Bach couples were in attendance, including the franchise's longest-married couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter. The guest list also included the newest Bachelor fiancés: Brayden Bowers proposed to Christina Mandell *during* the wedding cocktail hour. (With the couple's permission, of course.) Former Bachelorette Charity Lawson and Golden Bachelor contestant Kathy Swarts hosted the Golden Carpet, while fan-favorite Susan Noles officiated.
Ahead of the wedding, we caught up with Gerry and Theresa to chat about their vision for the big day. Beyond the aesthetics—which Theresa said she wanted to have an "elegant and classy, but warm and friendly" feeling, they agreed that their biggest goal was for viewers to take away a feeling of inspiration. "The message throughout the season was heart, hope and humor," Gerry told us. "Those are the three things that I want everybody to continue with from our wedding. Plus, the joy that two people have found each other this late in life." Added Theresa: "To have the support for a second wedding, to me, is such a gift. It's like a fairytale."
JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers' Wedding
After a 75-month engagement, including two wedding postponements due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher finally wed Jordan Rodgers in May 2022 at Sunstone Winery in Southern California. The couple worked with The Knot to curate their registry and design an exclusive invitation collection ahead of their big day, which was six years in the making. The newlyweds shared exclusive, never-before-seen wedding photos with us, opening up about what their long engagement meant to them. "I don't know if there's anything that could be thrown our way that we can't work through," Fletcher exclusively told us ahead of their wedding. "Six years taught us a lot, and we feel so at peace and prepared—and we're so excited to be married."
They swapped vows in front of 170 loved ones, including Bachelor alums Raven Gates, Adam Gottschalk and bridesmaid Becca Tilley, along with sports stars Tim Tebow and Shawn Johnson East. Guests dined on the couple's favorite foods, like fresh burrata, prosciutto, pasta and filet mignon, while their DJ kept the party going late into the night—and it ended on a fiery note. "During our final song, 'Everlasting Love,' we surprised our guests with sparkler canons," they reminisce. "It was so fun!"
Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter's Wedding
We can't talk about the best Bachelor weddings of all time without mentioning the one that started it all. Trista Rehn—the OG Bachelorette—is still married to her final pick Ryan Sutter, solidifying their status as Bach royalty. Rehn appeared on the very first season of The Bachelor, starring Alex Michel, and was sent home during the finale. After being named the very first lead of the spinoff series, she and Sutter quickly fell in love—and the rest is history.
The couple got married on December 6, 2003, in Rancho Mirage, California. Their lavish nuptials were documented on a three-part TV special, Trista and Ryan's Wedding, which amassed over 26 million viewers. The special followed the couple as they planned their big day alongside industry icons like planner Mindy Weiss and designer Stuart Weitzman. Unsurprisingly, their wedding was a fairy tale come true. Memorable details included lush floral installations, a romantic ombré pink color palette, and a multi-tier cake with intricate piping. Rehn wore a strapless ball gown with beading on the hem, while Sutter donned a sleek black suit.
On their 18th wedding anniversary in 2021, the Bachelorette took to Instagram to reflect on her marriage. "Pure happiness. That's what I felt 18 years ago," she wrote. "It was magical, but not just because of the flowers or dresses or diamonds (although they definitely didn't hurt! 😜). It was because my future was in his hands. Hands that I trusted and adored. Hands that I knew would be there for the bad days and the best days. And after 18 years of holding his hand, I still know that with him is where they are meant to be. I love you, @ryansutter. Happy 18th anniversary."
Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo's Wedding
When it comes to Bachelor weddings, Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo's was one of our faves. Their story began on Season 13 of The Bachelorette, when Lindsay gave Abasolo her first impression rose. Many dates and roses later, they concluded their time on the show by getting engaged during the season finale.
Two years later, on August 24, 2019, the couple gathered with their nearest and dearest for a glam beach wedding in Cancun, Mexico. The soirée was created with the help of celebrity event planner Mikie Russo, who exclusively told us, "It was a given for me to take Rachel and Bryan on as clients. They're kind, dynamic and so head-over-heels in love with each other. Did I mention—they're also wonderful friends? I was thrilled and honored to be their wedding planner and enjoyed seeing their vision come to life." Although the couple sadly announced their divorce in January 2024, their nuptials remain one the most beautiful Bachelor weddings ever.
Lindsay wore a sparkly two-piece Randi Rahm dress, while Abasolo opted for a white tuxedo jacket. Their tropical venue overlooked the ocean, which glistened as the couple exchanged vows at sunset. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a huge dance party that went long into the night.
The couple shared their wedding album with The Knot, along with their reflections from the big day. "We always said we wanted a wedding where we are bringing two different families together and they are able to celebrate life and love and have the best time doing it," Lindsay told us. "When we reflect on the entire wedding weekend that is exactly what happened."
Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney's Wedding
Longtime Bachelor devotees will certainly recall Jason Mesnick's dramatic season, which culminated with him breaking off his engagement to Melissa Rycroft during the live After the Final Rose finale special—only to ask runner-up Molly Malaney for a second chance minutes later. She accepted, thus kickstarting one of the longest relationships in Bachelor history. They got engaged a few months later while on vacation in New Zealand, the place where Malaney first professed her love to Mesnick during their Fantasy Suite date.
The couple's wedding took place on February 27, 2010, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Camera crews were on-site to capture the nuptials for a special TV segment titled Jason and Molly's Wedding. Former Bachelor host Chris Harrison served as the couple's officiant, and fellow stars like Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter attended. (Sutter even gave a speech during the reception!) Amid their ceremony, the skies opened up and led to a torrential downpour, but the newlyweds took it in stride.
Malaney shared a sweet throwback of their first dance on Instagram in honor of their 12th anniversary in 2022, writing, "We've never been happier and more in sync than we are today. I don't know if it is time - maybe aging/maturing - that got us to this place, but whatever it is, I hope it lasts forever!"
Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum's Wedding
Following their scenic engagement in Fiji, Season 7 lead Ashely Hebert and fiancé J.P. Rosenbaum were the second Bachelorette couple to get married. Their televised wedding took place on December 1, 2012, in Pasadena, California. They celebrated among 200 friends and family, including Bachelor friends like Jason and Molly Mesnick, Trista and Ryan Sutter, Ali Fedotowsky-Manno, Emily Maynard, Jillian Harris and Sean Lowe. Chris Harrison, unsurprisingly, was on hand to officiate the ceremony.
One of the biggest standout details was the couple's chuppah, which was created from birch tree branches and English roses. The bride wore a custom mermaid-style dress with cap sleeves, while the groom chose a classic black tux.
They later renewed their vows in Aruba in 2018, with kids Fordham and Essex. But after nearly eight years of marriage, they announced their amicable split in October 2020.
Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici's Wedding
Bachelor Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici's wedding was certainly one to remember—especially because it was the very first to be broadcast live on air. ABC invited fans to join the couple's wedding through their TVs on January 26, 2014, as cameras captured the nuptials in real time.
The couple exchanged vows in front of fellow franchise couples like Trista and Ryan Sutter, Ashley and J.P. Rosenbaum, Jason and Molly Mesnick, and Desiree Hartsock and Chris Siegfried. Their altar was decked out in hundreds of fresh white flowers amid airy white drapery, which created a romantic ambiance. Rose petals fell from the sky as the newlyweds walked back up the aisle.
After eight years together, the couple has since welcomed three children. Giudici marked their latest anniversary on social media in 2022: "Eight years married to you. I still can't believe I get you forever."
Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert's Wedding
As the very first Bachelor in Paradise success story, Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert's wedding became a franchise milestone. After their whirlwind romance, documented on Season 2 of the tropical spin-off, the couple got engaged during the season finale in 2015. A few short months later, they tied the knot on another beach—this time in California.
The couple's wedding was captured for a Valentine's Day special of The Bachelor. Fans got an inside look at the celebration, which was attended by franchise alums like Kaitlyn Bristowe, Chris Soules, and Trista and Ryan Sutter. Carly Waddell, Roper and Tolbert's BiP costar, served as a bridesmaid and sang a song she wrote just for the newlyweds. The romantic soirée featured hundreds of twinkle lights and fresh blooms arranged in a canopy over guests.
On their sixth anniversary in January 2022, Roper celebrated with an Instagram slideshow of snaps from their big day. "Bet you didn't know you signed up for matching jammies and family costumes for life, but thanks for being the best hubby and the best dad," she wrote, referencing their kids Emerson, Brooks and Reed. Tolbert sweetly commented back, "Best 6 of my life."
Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham's Wedding
Following a change-of-heart during The Bachelor season finale (somewhat reminiscent of Jason Mesnick's), Arie Luyendyk Jr. reunited with runner-up Lauren Burnham, proving that love can indeed blossom after the final rose. Despite getting sent home in the finale, Burnham accepted the Bachelor's request for a second chance. After a short courtship off-camera, they became husband and wife in January 2019. Their dreamy wedding took place at a converted sugar mill in Maui, Hawaii. And, believe it or not, much of the inspiration for their big day was pulled from Bella and Edward's wedding in Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
Chris Harrison was the couple's officiant, and Burnham's dress designer Hayley Paige was on hand to help the bride get ready the morning of. (Paige even custom-designed the sparkly gown, which was made to hide Burnham's small baby bump at the time.) But of all the sweet moments throughout their wedding day, the bride's processional down the aisle was one of the most memorable for Luyendyk. "It was a moment I'll never forget," Luyendyk told The Knot in an exclusive interview. "As soon as I saw her, I began to cry. All I could say to myself was, 'Hold it together!' She looked just as I had imagined when I played the scene in my head a thousand times before that day… perfect."
Still happily married today, the Luyendyks have since welcomed three children together: Alessi, and twins Lux and Senna.
Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon's Wedding
After a tumultuous start to their relationship—including missed attempts at connecting on multiple Bachelor in Paradise seasons—Ashely Iaconetti got the rom-com wedding of her dreams when she married Jared Haibon on August 11, 2019. The Bach favorites celebrated with other franchise friends like Kaitlyn Brisowe and Jason Tartick, Ben Higgins, Becca Tilley and Olivia Caridi. Dean Unglert and Nick Viall stood alongside Haibon as groomsmen.
Iaconetti wore two lavish wedding dresses: a strapless princess ball gown designed by Ines Di Santo, and a sleek A-line reception dress by Rita Vinieris. The wedding weekend kicked off with a skyline cruise around Newport, Rhode Island, while the ceremony and reception took place at the iconic New England hotspot OceanCliff Hotel. As a nod to their humble beginnings, Bachelor producer Elan Gale served as the officiant.
The happy couple rang in two years of wedded bliss in 2021, with Iaconetti sharing, "To call him a real life Prince Charming is cliche and I hate cliches, but damn, it really does fit. I'm still in awe of you everyday! Happy anniversary, my love." A few months later, they welcomed their first child, Dawson, in February 2022.
Carly Waddell and Evan Bass's Wedding
You may recall Carly Waddell and Evan Bass' rather unconventional meet-cute on Season 4 of BiP. While Bass was interested almost immediately, Waddell took some time to develop feelings of her own. (Notably, it wasn't until Bass faked a bout of food poisoning that landed them both in the emergency room until the romantic feelings became mutual.) They ended the season by getting engaged, and in 2017 they returned to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for their nuptials.
The party was attended by plenty of familiar Bachelor faces, like Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon, Kaitlyn Bristowe and then-fiancé Shawn Booth, Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi, and twins Emily and Haley Ferguson. Jade Roper was a bridesmaid, while Tanner Tolbert and Wells Adams served as groomsmen. Like quite a few other Bachelor couples before them, the duo also had Chris Harrison preside over their vows.
Sadly, after three years of marriage and two kids of their own, the couple called it quits in 2020. Despite their split, they remain friendly co-parents to this day.