Traci Bingham weds musician Robb Vallier during post ceremony in Iowa

Jet, Sept 21, 1998

Traci Bingham of "Baywatch" TV fame and her longtime beau, songwriter-musician Robb Vallier, recently married during a lavish ceremony at the First Methodist Church in the groom's hometown of Ames, IA.

The Rev. Brian Eslinger and Sidney Morris officiated the Unitarian ceremony where 350 guests came to witness the joyous occasion.

The beautiful bride turned heads when she strolled down the aisle wearing a $35,000 satin gown by Escada, hand-beaded in India, with a 10-foot train. Bingham's luxurious mane was adorned with a half-million-dollar diamond tiara accessorized with earrings, both provided by Fred Leighton Jeweller.

The wedding party consisted of 10 bridesmaids, who included famed vee jay Downtown Julie Brown and former "Baywatch" castmates Carmen Electra, Gena Lee Nolin and Angelica Bridges. The ladies wore elegant Escada champagne satin gowns with embroidered straps that were valued at several thousand dollars. The groomsmen were decked out in tuxedos by Ralph Lauren.

Stylist to the stars Philip Bloch worked hand-in-hand with Escada on Bingham's wedding gown and the bridesmaids' dresses, handbags and shoes.

Bingham, 29, known for her former role as lifeguard Jordan Tate on "Baywatch," met Vallier, 27, at a music awards ceremony. They didn't begin to date until a year after that meeting, but she's convinced it was fate. "We met again at the same place on the same day, hour and minute that we'd met before, so I think we were destined to be together," Bingham once told a London newspaper.

The two got engaged on New Year's Day. Reportedly, while they were visiting Iowa, Vallier, whose parents are professors at Iowa State, popped the question after riding up to her on a cow who had the engagement ring tied to a ribbon around its neck.

The reception took place at Iowa State Memorial Union. Trumpets heralded the arrival of the bride and groom at the candle-lit affair.

A favorite moment of the posh event was when Bingham's grandmother took to the stage to play the organ. The hundreds of guests delighted in the unexpected entertainment, which brought the house down.

Reportedly, the lovebirds honeymooned on a sandy shore in the South Pacific.