It was a whirlwind journey for The Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and her now-fiancé, Chock Chapple. Their love story captured the hearts of viewers, but the path to happily ever after wasn’t always smooth. In fact, Joan recently shared with PEOPLE how she and Chock built a genuine connection from the start.
Joan Vassos explained that her feelings began to solidify during their magical Disneyland date. “That initial confidence and how easy we were together was really evident at the Disneyland date. After that, it built very quickly, and we got to know each other pretty well, the important stuff,” she said. By the time they reached the picturesque setting of Bora Bora, Chock had already made up his mind. “By the time we got to Bora Bora, I knew I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her,” he shared.
Their instant connection led to an unforgettable proposal on the season finale. But, unlike previous couples, Joan and Chock are in no rush to marry.
Why Joan and Chock Aren’t Rushing Their Wedding Plans
Despite their strong bond, Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are taking a different approach from their predecessors. They have no plans to walk down the aisle just yet—and for a good reason. Joan admitted, “We’re really looking forward to just being a couple out in the world and being just normal people living life for at least a couple of months, and then we’ll start thinking wedding.”
The decision is a deliberate one, especially considering the cautionary tale of previous Golden Bachelor stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist. The couple tied the knot in a televised wedding only to divorce three months later. Joan and Chock don’t want to make the same mistake, opting instead to let their relationship breathe and grow naturally.
However, Joan did hint at a major change in their wedding plans. She wanted a private, intimate celebration. But, the love and support from Bachelor Nation made her rethink that. “I feel like everybody that has gone through this whole journey with us… deserves to see the next part of this,” Joan said, suggesting that a larger, more inclusive event could be in the works.
Was The Golden Bachelorette Finale Unfair to Guy Gansert?
As Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple enjoy their engagement, chatter swirls about the show’s runner-up, Guy Gansert. Many fans felt the season finale was unfair to him. After Chock won Joan’s heart with a gesture about a NYC apartment, she dumped Guy before he could meet her family.
This abrupt elimination left some viewers feeling that Guy was robbed of a fair chance. The timing seemed skewed, favoring whichever suitor got to spend more time with Joan first. “It feels like the finalist who ‘goes first’ has a bit of an advantage,” one critic remarked.
Should the show’s producers reconsider how the final moments play out? Some suggest implementing a rule to bar finalists from meeting the lead between family dates to level the playing field. Whether or not these changes happen, Guy seems to be handling the heartbreak with grace.
Is Guy Gansert the Next Golden Bachelor?
Since the finale aired, Guy Gansert has raised questions about his future with The Bachelor. He’s hinted at wanting to be the next Golden Bachelor by reposting fan suggestions on social media. While the post was quickly deleted, it led to rumors that he might have received an offer or at least learned about the new lead.
ABC has yet to confirm or deny these rumors, but fans are eager to see if Guy gets another shot at finding love. The next season of The Golden Bachelor is expected to film from June 2025 to August 2025, with a premiere likely in September.
