MLB Star Isiah Kiner-Falefa Marries Tayea Chun in 'Fun, Intimate' Wedding in Hawaii (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tayea Chun and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.Photo:Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Hannah Brooke Photography

MLB starIsiah Kiner-Falefais married!

The Pittsburgh Pirates player, 29, tied the knot with his girlfriend of four years,Tayea Chun, on Saturday, Dec. 21, at theLanikuhonua Cultural Instituteon 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.”

Tayea Chun and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

The morning was spent at theFour 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.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walks dog Bella down the aisle.Tayea Chun walks down the aisle.Isiah Kiner-Falefa walks dog Bella down the aisle.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyTayea Chun walks down the aisle.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walks dog Bella down the aisle.Tayea Chun walks down the aisle.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walks dog Bella down the aisle.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Tayea Chun walks down the aisle.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walks dog Bella down the aisle.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyTayea Chun walks down the aisle.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

Kiner-Falefa and Chun recited traditional vows underneath an arch of white florals fromSu-V Expressionsas soft waves crashed behind them and palm trees swayed. Pastor Mike Nelson officiated the ceremony.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyIsiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyIsiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

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 andWhitney Houston’s “Higher Love” played. The two were soon hand-in-hand again during their first dance toChris Stapleton’s “Millionaire.” For the reception, Chun changed into an “effortless” satin dress with a chic cowl-neck fromGrace 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.”

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

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 fromAgnes' Bakery Hawaii, sherbet fromAsato Family Shopand mini chocolate chip cookies fromThe Cookie Corner.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding cake.Tayea Chun’s birthday cake.Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding cake.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyTayea Chun’s birthday cake.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding cake.Tayea Chun’s birthday cake.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding cake.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Tayea Chun’s birthday cake.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tayea Chun’s wedding cake.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke PhotographyTayea Chun’s birthday cake.PHOTO:Hannah Brooke Photography

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 fromA Cake Lifehad 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.”

Tayea Chun and Isiah Kiner-Falefa with their dog Bella.Hannah Brooke Photography

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tayea Chun, Wedding

Guests also danced the night away to local bandsRebel SoulJahzandThe Green.

Kiner-Falefa and Chun hit it off after first meeting at a mutual friend’s dinner in 2020. Three years later, the MLB playerpopped the questionon 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

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

source: people.com