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Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple, the couple who met on the first season of The Golden Bachelorette, are still engaged but have decided to wait before they get married. While many people expected a quick wedding after their 2024 engagement, the couple has shared that their current lives make a fast wedding difficult. They are currently living in different states—Joan in Maryland and Chock in Kansas—and are trying to balance their new relationship with the needs of their adult children.
"We’ll get married sometime when the kids aren’t getting married." — Joan Vassos
The couple remains committed to their engagement but has chosen to prioritize their children's milestones over their own wedding date.
Current Status and History
Joan and Chock became engaged during the season finale of The Golden Bachelorette in 2024. Since then, they have been open about the difficulties of starting a life together at this stage of their lives.
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Engagement Date: Late 2024.
Current Living Situation: Long-distance. Joan stays in Maryland; Chock stays in Kansas.
Meeting Schedule: They travel to see each other approximately every two weeks.
Family Priority: Both have adult children and prioritize family events, such as their children's weddings, over their own.
The Distance Factor
Records show that neither partner is ready to leave their home state permanently. Joan has stated she will "always have a home in Maryland," while Chock has his own established life and family in Kansas.
| Factor | Joan Vassos | Chock Chapple |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Maryland | Kansas |
| Family | Adult children | Two children (Taylor and Tyler) |
| Social Circle | Friends in Maryland | Friends in Kansas |
| Stance | Not moving yet | Not moving yet |
Comparing Wedding Perspectives
Different reports provide varying views on how the couple feels about their wedding timeline.
The Case for a "Delayed" Wedding
Reports from early 2025 and 2026 suggest the couple has pushed the date back multiple times.
The reason given is often that their children are also getting married, and they do not want to take attention away from those events.
They are reportedly comfortable with the long-distance setup for now.
The Case for "Active Planning"
Some sources claim the couple has "set their sights on a date" and is actively looking for a location.
They continue to post updates on social media to reassure fans that they are still together.
They emphasize that the delay is a choice made for family peace, not a sign of relationship trouble.
Why the Delay Continues
One of the main reasons for the wait is the schedule of their children. Chock has two children, and Joan also has a large family. When their children plan weddings, Joan and Chock choose to put those events first. This has led to what some call a "delay," but the couple describes it as "navigating calendars."
"He doesn’t have friends in Maryland and I don’t have friends in Kansas." — Joan Vassos
This lack of a shared social circle in one city makes choosing a permanent home a slow process. They are currently focusing on "blending their families" rather than signing legal papers.
Analysis of the Relationship
Evidence suggests that this couple is following a different path than younger participants in the franchise. They are not rushing to move in together or get married for the cameras.
Is the wedding still happening? They say yes, but have not confirmed a public date.
Is the long distance working? They state they see each other every other week and check calendars constantly.
Are they prioritizing marriage? Evidence indicates that while they value their engagement, marriage is not the top priority compared to their children's needs.
Investigation Findings
The investigation into Joan and Chock's current status shows a couple that is stable but not in a hurry. They have survived the initial transition from television to real life, which often breaks many "Bachelor" couples.
They have been engaged for over a year (with some records stretching into early 2026).
They have not picked a wedding location because they live in separate states.
They are making a deliberate choice to let their children "go first" with wedding celebrations.
The next step for the couple appears to be finding a way to live in the same city, though neither has shown a desire to move away from their current support systems.
Primary Sources
Bachelor Nation Exclusive: Discussion on long-distance success and calendar management. Link
Swooon Report: Details on the two-year engagement and delays due to children's weddings. Link
NY Post Entertainment: Joan's comments on staying in Maryland and Chock's family in Kansas. Link
Screen Rant Explainer: Analysis of family priorities over marriage status. Link
Holr Magazine: Information on the couple's active planning and search for a date. Link
