- Pittsburgh Pirates player Isiah Kiner-Falefa married his girlfriend of four years, Tayea Chun, on Dec. 21 in Hawaii
- The bride and groom, who were born and raised in Hawaii, ensured their wedding ceremony and reception incorporated goods from several local Hawaiian businesses
- “The next chapter is heading back to baseball season and just soaking up every moment and opportunity,” Chun tells PEOPLE
MLB star Isiah Kiner-Falefa is married!
The Pittsburgh Pirates player, 29, tied the knot with his girlfriend of four years, Tayea Chun, on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The bride and groom, who were both born and raised in Hawaii, invited 228 guests to celebrate their big day.
“We really wanted it to be a fun, yet intimate ceremony with our closest friends and family,” Chun exclusively tells PEOPLE. “We [wanted] all of our favorite local Hawaiian spots to be a part of our day. Every detail was intentional and showcased our love of Hawaii.”
The morning was spent at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, where the couple got ready before privately exchanging heartfelt vows. Their rehearsal dinner was held the night before at the resort’s seafood restaurant, Mina’s Fish House.
Chun stunned in a “timeless, elegant” off-shoulder gown with delicate long sleeves and floral lace by Berta, which she paired with Jimmy Choo bridal shoes. Her classic updo was styled by Anna Sullivan, and her makeup was done by Kristen Farrah.
Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa wore a custom black suit designed by Tom Marchitelli of Gentleman’s Playbook. In a fun surprise, his socks featured playful images of their labradoodle Bella’s face.
The couple’s dog also played a part in their outdoor ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute. The groom walked the pup down the aisle using a leash adorned with white roses as “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott played.
Other family members made their way down to the tune of Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know.” Everyone stood as the stunning bride processed to the altar, accompanied by her father, to Canon in D by Brooklyn Duo.
Kiner-Falefa and Chun recited traditional vows underneath an arch of white florals from Su-V Expressions as soft waves crashed behind them and palm trees swayed. Pastor Mike Nelson officiated the ceremony.
“I really leaned into the natural wildness of being outdoors in Hawaii,” the bride says. “We’re surrounded by nature and we leaned into that. No tents, just under the stars. And lots of flowers with green foliage incorporated throughout.”
For the couple, marriage is an extension of their commitment to one another. They say that their “I dos” mean “making promises with each other for time and all eternity” and “building a life that is so aligned with each other.”
During the recessional, the newlyweds held hands as Kygo and Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” played. The two were soon hand-in-hand again during their first dance to Chris Stapleton’s “Millionaire.” For the reception, Chun changed into an “effortless” satin dress with a chic cowl-neck from Grace Loves Lace.
Ahead of the wedding, the groom — who has previously played for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays — told PEOPLE that he was especially excited for the food and music because “every good Hawaiian party nails those two things.”
One of the couple’s favorite local spots, Taniokas, catered most of the Hawaiian food. The Hawaiian buffet-style dinner included: yaki tofu with mixed greens, Ahi and hamachi sashimi, teriyaki barbecue chicken, kalbi short ribs, kalua pig and cabbage, chicken long rice, squid luau, lomi salmon, Okinawan sweet potato, poi, white rice, pineapple, pani popo and haupia.
Appetizers included Kumamoto oysters, spicy Ahi, Shoyu Ahi, sesame poke, Sing Cheong Yuan Dim Sum Mini Char Siu Manapua, shrimp dumplings and pork hash.
“Since we come home once a year during the off season, we couldn’t wait to eat all of our local cravings,” the bride tells PEOPLE.
There was a wide selection of sweets at several dessert booths, such as malasadas from Agnes’ Bakery Hawaii, sherbet from Asato Family Shop and mini chocolate chip cookies from The Cookie Corner.
In addition to the three-tier wedding cake with a strawberry guava filling, a special birthday cake for the bride was brought out. Both cakes from A Cake Life had nods to Bella, with the wedding cake decorated with a small stuffed animal and the birthday cake topped with sliced strawberries and a cartoon image of Bella.
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For a late-night snack, guests enjoyed a Wagyu or portobello mushroom burger with a side of French fries. At one point in the night, guests joined in a special toast to the newlyweds.
“One unique tradition we chose to do is a banzai toast,” Chun says. “It’s a Japanese tradition, since Isiah is a quarter Japanese. It’s a celebratory toast that translates to ’10 thousand years,’ signifying a wish to the bride and groom to live a long and healthy marriage and life.”
Guests also danced the night away to local bands Rebel SoulJahz and The Green.
Kiner-Falefa and Chun hit it off after first meeting at a mutual friend’s dinner in 2020. Three years later, the MLB player popped the question on Oct. 25, 2023, at Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah.
Now, the couple can’t wait to continue their life together as husband and wife.
“Isiah’s job has taken us to some of the coolest places. We love exploring new cities and trying new restaurants. We can’t wait to make more memories as a married couple,” Chun says. “The next chapter is heading back to baseball season and just soaking up every moment and opportunity.”
Additional credits:
Photographer: Hannah Brooke Photography @hannahbrookephotography
Videographer: Emma K Films @emmak_films
Wedding Planner: Karisa Ramolete Hayashi, Say I Do by Karisa @sayidobykarisa
Tables, Chairs, Dance Floor, Lighting, Stage, Tent Rentals: Pacific Party Rentals @pacificpartyrentals
Lighting & Rentals: RK Services & Events
Rentals: Aloha Artisans @alohaartisans
Bar Rental: Gather Round Oahu @gatherroundoahu
Generator and Spider Boxes: RSS Ltd (Walter)
Linens, Plates and Flatware Rentals: Hawaii Fine Linen Rentals @hawaiifinelinens
Poke, Sashimi and Dinner Caterer: Taniokas @tanikos
Poi Cups: Pomai Kulolo @pomakulolo
Mobile Oysters: Oysters Hawaii @oystershawaii
Dim Sum and Crack Seed Bar: Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery @singcheongyuanbakery
BBQ Chicken for Dinner and Late Night Burgers and Fries: Chef Jensen Hirota/Rice Box
Pani Popo: North Shore Sweet Rolls @northshore.rolls
Speciality Ice: On The Rock Hawaii’s Craft Ice @ontherockhawaii
Shuttles: Hawaii Blue Sky
Security: Kanaka Solutions @kanaka_solutions
Calligraphy: C’est Calligraphy @cestcalligraphy
Ceremony Sound System and Cocktail Hour Sound System and DJ: Sureshot Entertainment 808/DJ @sureshotent808
Reception Sound System and Backline: Eric Ho @eric_hobie
Violinist: Kiev Morales @kievmoralesviolin
Dinner Musician: AJ Keolanui @aj.keolanui
Wait Staff, Trash Removal, Coffee & Tea Station: Tray’d Up Hawaii
Photo Booth: The First & Second Co
Lei: Lin’s Lei Shop
Bridesmaids Makeup: First & Second Beauty, Sarah Gomez-Akamu @sarahaimee__
Bridesmaids Hair: Jonah Dela Cruz @jonahface
Invitations: @magnoliaboonepaperie
Day-of: @paperplum
Surfboard: Wade & Kerry Tokoro (Tokoro Surfboards)
Officiant: @hawaiiblueskywedding
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