The whirlwind romance of “The Golden Bachelor” season 2 has landed Mel Owens and Peg Munson in an unexpected spotlight: wedding speculation. While they didn’t exchange traditional engagement rings during the November 12 finale, whispers suggest ABC producers were hoping for a repeat of last season’s televised nuptials between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist.
This “Golden Wedding,” however, remains shrouded in uncertainty. Mel, 66, chose Peg, 62, as his final rose recipient, presenting her with a ring symbolizing their commitment but leaving the traditional proposal open-ended. “I have a ring, and this represents our commitment to love… What do you think?” he posed. Peg accepted, declaring, “I’m not for everybody. He’s not for everybody. But we’re definitely for each other!”
But behind the heartwarming moment, The Sun reports ABC had already tentatively planned Mel and Peg’s televised wedding, mirroring Gerry and Theresa’s lavish Palm Springs ceremony from early 2024. Despite its initial success, that “Golden Wedding” quickly soured: after just three months of marriage, Gerry and Theresa announced a bitter divorce in April 2024.
This experience reportedly taught ABC a valuable lesson: more control for the couple. According to an insider, the network is aiming for Mel and Peg’s wedding to be a more personalized affair, “making it his day and Peg’s day” rather than the highly orchestrated event Gerry and Theresa endured.
The stakes are undeniably high. While Joan Vassos, star of “The Golden Bachelorette,” remains engaged to her winner, Chock Chapple, without immediate wedding plans, the spotlight is firmly on Mel and Peg. An insider reveals, “They want to make it his day and Peg’s day… Whereas Gerry’s wedding was basically all planned by ABC and the couple just showed up and did what they were told.”
Mel and Peg’s lack of a traditional proposal, however, seems to have eased producers’ anxieties. The source shared that “It was a huge relief he ended up going through with it… everyone is thrilled, if not even surprised, behind the scenes.”
Whether Mel and Peg will tie the knot remains unanswered. What’s clear is that the weight of reality TV expectations—and the shadow of Gerry and Theresa’s tumultuous journey—casts a unique pressure on their blossoming relationship.
