Summer Lovin'-Wedding Bells Ring for Reality TV Stars

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Jul 2006 08:40 AM

Ah, Summer---the most popular time of the year for couples to tie the knot. So, I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see the wedding bug has bitten a number of reality TV stars. An ex-"Apprentice" contestant and a "Survivor" castaway became July brides yesterday. (Fortunately, neither affair was a televised event. Cough, Trista and Ryan, cough, cough.)

The wedding of former "Apprentice" contestant Jennifer Murphy (she was the blonde that Donald Trump referred to as "beautiful" in season 4) was infused with more than just a little dose of reality TV. Not only did Murphy celebrate her nuptials in front of Donald Trump and several of her ex-"Apprentice" costars, the person Murphy said "I do" to was Dr. Bill Dorfman, the dentist from ABC's reality TV show: "Extreme Makeover." (On the show Dorfman was described as a "cosmetic dentist to the stars.")

The couple met at the 2004 Miss USA pageant, where Murphy was competing as Miss Oregon and Dorfman was in the audience. But, according to PEOPLE magazine, their romance didn't bloom until a year later, when Murphy was "cast in an ad for teeth whitening by Dorfman's company, Discus Dental."

Despite their 20 year age difference (Murphy is 27, Dorfman is 47) the pair got engaged last Christmas when Dorfman presented Murphy with a 3-carat diamond and trapezoid ring. The couple wed before 300 guests in California, at where else--the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. The magazine reports that Murphy wore a "gown by Samin Haute Couture and diamond drop earrings from Beverly Hills jeweler XIV Karats, which also designed the couple's wedding bands."

Meanwhile, across the country in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, "Survivor: Palau" and "Survivor: Guatemala" castaway Stephenie LaGrossa wed her longtime boyfriend, high-school history teacher Michael Ward.

PEOPLE magazine reports that the couple's beach theme wedding featured the motto "Life's a Beach" printed on fans, drink stirrers and candles. Among the guests getting to test out the wedding goodies were "Palau" winner Tom Westman and "Guatemala" champ Danni Boatwright.

LaGrossa was a fan favorite on 2005's "Survivor: Palau." On that show she managed to outlast every one of her Ulong tribe mates, though was eventually voted off the island. Later that year, she competed again on the reunion show, "Survivor: Guatemala," which pitted contestants from previous seasons against each other for a $1 million dollar prize. LaGrossa made it to the final two, but ultimately lost to Boatwright.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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