Braden Bowers and Christina MandrellThe relationship of was such that none of Us expected after his appearance Bachelor in Paradise season 9.
“She actually DM’d me! She swiped in my DMs and it was funny because we started hitting each other,” Brydon previously revealed The golden wedding in January 2024 “We used to FaceTime every night for about four (or) five hours and one night we started talking and I made a Tenacious D reference … and this woman right here was like, ‘Did you make a Tenacious D reference?'”
While Braeden was skeptical to discover that Christina knew about the group that was the predecessor Jack Blackshe uses it to start making plans for their first date.
“She said, ‘Well, I know I had tickets to that concert next week,'” Braden recalled.
While many couples have found or lost love on TV’s dating franchise over the years, others have found their match on Bachelor Nation after the season ended. Katie Thurston joined the Bachelor Nation off-camera couples club in November 2021 when Us Weekly confirmed her relationship with John Hersey – who (…)
Bryden and Christina’s relationship continued to flourish before they’ve gone Instagram official in December 2023 Weeks later, Brydon suggested before moving to Christina’s hometown of Nashville. (Kristina lives in Tennessee with her daughter from a previous relationship, Blakely, while Brydon is from California.)
The couple surprised fans in January 2025 by revealing them they secretly tied the knot one month ago.
Keep scrolling for the full timeline of Bryden and Christina’s relationship:
Summer 2023
Just after your stay Charity Lawsonseason 20 of The BachelorBrydon go to the beach for Bachelor in Paradise. He briefly rekindled romances with the Season 9 cast Itzo the cat and Rachel Recchia but left the show alone.
After returning home, Brayden received a message on social media from Christina and they began talking every day.
December 2023
The couple went public after BiP the season 9 finale aired during the “Where Are They Now?” segment.
“Braeden is now dating Christina from Zach’s season,” read a title card, referring to Christina’s brief stint on Zach Shallcross‘ season earlier that year. “Brayden teaches Christina’s daughter how to accessorize.”
Braden made headlines for both The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise for his eccentric style, even narrative us in October 2023 that he brought 34 pairs of earrings to the beach.
January 2024
Christina revealed on New Years that Bryden was officially appliedwhich they further discussed when they went The golden wedding a week later.
“I have some surprises in store,” Christina joked during the televised nuptials. “He doesn’t know about it yet, but there might be some lights and some music and spinning displays for (his) earrings in the house when we get there.”
Some Bachelor Nation couples are different. The Bachelor franchise has been dating since 2002. this way. In 2003 Trista Sutter (nee Wren) and Ryan Sutter became the first Bachelor Nation couple to walk down the aisle. The couple, who met while filming Season 1 of The Bachelorette, celebrated 21 years of marriage in December 2024. “I (…)
At the wedding, Brayden, whose suit perfectly matched Christina’s green and brown dress, surprised her with asking the question on live television.
“I just knew there was something special and something different, and then I got to spend time with you and Blakely … and introduce you to my family,” Braden told his now-fiancée. “For the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve found someone I can be unapologetically myself with. And I have no doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
bachelor host Jesse Palmer subsequently confirmed that Golden Bachelor bride and groom, Teresa Nist and Gerry Turnerhas approved the engagement plan.
March 2024
Braden and Christina sparked rumors that they were already married by posing Instagram photos in front of the chapel. However, the couple was simply dressed in wedding attire for engagement photoshoot. Christina paired several white dresses with fun pairs of heels and white and pink veils. Brayden added a pop of color to his photo shoot outfit by wearing a pink tie with his gray tuxedo.
August 2024
“Hi, I know I’ve been MIA on here lately but life has been so full and beautiful I’ve just been soaking it up,” Christina wrote along with Instagram slideshow featuring photos and videos of her with Brayden, daughter Blakely and other loved ones. “This season is all about family, fishing trips, football games, and all the silly moments in between with Brayden and Blakely. Here’s a sneak peek at what I’ve been up to over the past few weeks.”
The post included a hilarious video of Brayden and Blakely acting like dinosaurs in hopes of getting their dog to lie down, footage of Brayden helping out at Blakely’s soccer games and photos of the trio fishing together.
December 2024
Braden and Christina eloped on December 12, one year after their relationship went public. They announced their marriage a month later, sharing a wedding video with fans via a Bachelor Nation official YouTube page.
After receiving their marriage license, the couple picked Blakely up from school before heading to a small gazebo for their intimate ceremony. “As I place this ring on your finger, I give you my promise,” they each stated in their vows. “From this day forward, I give you everything I am. You will never walk alone. I entrust my heart and soul to you all the days of my life.”
Brayden and Christina shared their first dance by the gazebo after they were pronounced husband and wife. “This is the best wedding ever,” Brydon exclaimed in the video.
