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twobabies
Praying
Member since 7/05 9662 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Honeybee
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survivor fans...........(pics added)
Survivor's Stephenie LaGrossa Gets Married
FRIDAY JULY 07, 2006 10:00PM EST
WEDNESDAY JULY 12, 2006 03:00PM EST UPDATED
By Michelle Tan
LaGrossa and Ward
Photo by: MARC ROYCE
Even for her wedding day, Survivor: Palau and Guatemala star Stephenie LaGrossa had an immunity challenge, she tells PEOPLE in its new issue.
Awakened by a stomachache at 3 a.m., "I thought it was nerves, but the whole day I was nauseous," says LaGrossa, who exchanged traditional Catholic vows with her longtime boyfriend, high school history teacher Michael Ward, on July 7.
During the reception at McLoone's Pier House in Long Branch, N.J., LaGrossa, 26, discreetly popped Tums and sipped ginger ale before finally discovering a cure-all. "I just kept dancing because it would make me forget about it," says the bride, who boogied in a custom-made antique white Peter Langner gown. "There were times I would have to run to the bathroom, but other than that I was fine."
The wedding itself took place in Seaside Heights, N.J., the Jersey Shore town where LaGrossa and Ward, 33, first met when she was vacationing with her family and he was working as a lifeguard.
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After eight years of dating, Ward proposed on Christmas Eve last year. "We've always been really close. But I met him so young that I was in no rush to get married, and even though he's six years older, neither was he," says LaGrossa, who credits Survivor with pushing them toward the alter: "Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder."
Fittingly, their wedding had a beach theme, with the motto "Life's a Beach" printed on fans, drink stirrers and candles. "We're huge beach people," LaGrossa says. "He loves to surf. I love the beach. We wanted to definitely have something on the beach."
LaGrossa and her bridesmaids (in gowns by Jovani Fashions)
Photo by: Marc Royce
LaGrossa, a former pharmaceutical sales rep who now models and makes TV and personal appearances, grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia and now lives in Toms River, N.J.
She was a fan favorite on 2005's Survivor: Palau, in which she outlasted every one of her Ulong tribemates and even fended for herself in their desolate camp. But when she joined the competing Koror tribe, she was voted off the island.
Later that year, she competed again on Survivor: Guatemala, a reunion show in which she went up against other competitors from previous seasons. She made it to the final two, but ultimately lost the $1 million prize to Danni Boatwright, a Kansas beauty queen.
While on Palau, she received a romantic – and funny – letter from Ward. "My boyfriend kissed his letter with, I think, eye shadow he found at my house, because it was orange!" she told PEOPLE. "He wrote, 'Here's a kiss from me to you with your own lipstick – or at least I think it's lipstick.' I was laughing so hard!"
And while eight Survivor castaways attended their nuptials (including Rafe Judkins and Palau winner Tom Westman) and wedding planner Laura Mastriano added tribal touches such as tiki torches to the cocktail hour, the honeymoon in Bali will not resemble the reality competition. "We're not roughing it one bit!" says Ward. "We're taking all the fun, leisure and pampering that you can possibly get."
LaGrossa with her fellow Survivor contestants
Photo by: MARC ROYCE
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Message edited 7/13/2006 8:32:07 AM.
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Posted 7/13/06 8:29 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
Wow, she looked GORGEOUS! It's hard to even recognize some of those Survivors! 
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| Posted 7/13/06 8:45 AM |
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BigB
C & J are 10!
Member since 6/05 5914 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
She looked beautiful!
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| Posted 7/13/06 8:46 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
she is GORGEOUS!!!!
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| Posted 7/13/06 8:46 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
I so wanted Stephanie to win!!!
She looks gorgeous
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| Posted 7/13/06 8:57 AM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
wow she looked amazing
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:07 AM |
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BMonster
:)
Member since 2/06 2959 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
WOW! She looks amazing. And it's hard for me to recognize some of the survivors, too!
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:08 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
A good friend of mine got married where she did a couple of years ago. It's a gorgeous place situated right between the bay and the ocean.
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:08 AM |
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azoodie
Member since 8/05 8377 total posts
Name:
Team SEXY BACK
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
i love stephanie! was rooting for her...thanks for posting
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:09 AM |
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
Seriously can she look more gorgeous!?!?!?! Her body is sick!!!!!
I recognize Rafe in the back
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:14 AM |
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Shroggie
Don't Worry...Be Happy
Member since 5/06 6261 total posts
Name:
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
She looked beautiful...At first I thought it was Debra Messing.
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:16 AM |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
It looks like a beautiful wedding.
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:19 AM |
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Summer05
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2320 total posts
Name:
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
She looked beautiful
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:20 AM |
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jennandrob
mom of two!
Member since 5/05 4368 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
She looked absolutely stunning.
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| Posted 7/13/06 9:53 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
she looks GORGEOUS!!!!!
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| Posted 7/13/06 10:53 AM |
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WoodIAm
My Boys!
Member since 5/05 5498 total posts
Name:
JoAnne
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
WOW!!
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| Posted 7/13/06 10:56 AM |
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Tany
Becoming a different woman
Member since 5/05 24460 total posts
Name:
Tania
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Re: survivor fans...........(pics added)
so happy for her.
She was gorgeous !!!
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| Posted 7/13/06 10:56 AM |
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