Survivor: South Pacific castaway Mikayla Wingle has tied the knot with her fiance Michael Stapf.

ADVERTISEMENT
Wingle, a fitness model and trainer, married the oil and energy consultant in New Orleans on March 12, People reported.

"He was my best friend six months ago and my best friend today," Wingle told People. "He'll be my best friend 30 years from now. There is no one in this world who I would rather have by my side for this adventure called life. That's why I put a ring on it!"

The "short and sweet" ceremony, according to the bride, was reportedly held at Race + Religious, a rustic 1839 venue that boasts three buildings, a pool and a cobblestone courtyard featuring multiple fountains. The wedding, however, was fairly small and intimate with only 90 guests in attendance.

In true New Orleans fashion, the couple hired a jazz band with whom the wedding party marched around the block holding umbrellas and waving handkerchiefs.

After cocktails in the courtyard, guests then enjoyed traditional Cajun dishes -- including gumbo, shrimp creole and crawfish bread.

And when night fell, the entire venue was reportedly lit by candles.

"It was absolutely magical," Wingle told the magazine. "My photographer was a childhood friend from New Jersey. She said the venue was a photographer's dream."

Wingle donned a form-fitting, silk gown with embellished shoulder straps and a low-cut back by Pronovias for her big day, but she had to visit 15 bridal shops to find her perfect, dream dress.

"I was starting to lose hope," she said of her desperate search. "It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack... [Other people] weren't kidding when they tell you that you'll know when the dress is 'the one!'"

In 2011, Wingle was voted out of her Survivor: South Pacific tribe on Day 16 although she wasn't eliminated until the seventh episode on Day 17 when she lost a Redemption Island duel.

Wingle was one of the 32 candidates -- and veteran players -- whom fans could choose from to compete on Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance in 2015, however, she didn't make the final cut of 20 castaways.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.