Pro Baseball Player Taylor Hearn Marries Andrea Hawkins in 'Elegant and Romantic' Texas Wedding (Exclusive)

The couple, who first connected on social media, got engaged in October 2022 during a date night at an escape room

Taylor Hearn is married!

The 29-year-old baseball pitcher, who plays for Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, tied the knot with Andrea Hawkins at the Thompson Hotel in Dallas on Saturday.

Hearn tells PEOPLE the wedding, which was planned by Alice and Apricot, was a big, Texas-style affair "full of character," attended by 270 guests including MLB stars Ke’bryan Hayes, CC Sabathia, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, John King, Corey Seager, Joe Barlow, Jonah Heim, Brock Burke and Bubba Thompson.

"We wanted something very elegant and romantic, but still very spirited and unique," Hearn says of the nuptials, noting that having all their friends and family there was a priority for the pair.

He adds, "We wanted to be surrounded by both of our large families and loved ones. We wanted everything to encompass who we are as a couple and for the night to be a party that our guests would never forget."

As for the location, there was no other choice but Dallas, he says. "Dallas is our home. We wouldn't want to tie the knot anywhere else."

Before their ceremony got underway, the couple came together for a private "first look" moment where they shared handwritten vows with each other. They later exchanged traditional vows at the altar as their family and friends looked on.

The bride wore a modern Rita Vinieris gown with "a touch of fun flare" for the ceremony, before changing into a second look — a beaded fringe cocktail dress by Majorelle — styled by Meghan Forest Farmer with Ten Sixteen Style.

Hearn donned a custom tux designed and created by Don Sanders, owner of Etiquette Don Custom Apparel. The look featured a white jacket detailed with a subtle print and navy lapels with a black velvet trim that also appeared on the pants, "bringing it all together."

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Aiming for a "modern and moody" vibe, the couple had their reception venue decorated with lots of navy and black elements, accented with rich, berry-toned florals designed by Petals Couture.

"We played with patterns and textures throughout the linens and backdrops to give [the space] an edgy twist," Hearn notes. "The overall look has a sense of drama while maintaining a classic black-tie feel."

Guests enjoyed a plated meal of dijon herb-crusted chicken and slow-braised beef short rib. Dessert included their four-tier vanilla wedding cake with buttercream frosting which was adorned with 3D elements to match the geometric patterns of the venue decor.

In addition, as a special treat for the milkshake-loving groom, Tongue in Cheek ice cream shop served up custom shakes featuring a mix of unique seasonal flavors including frosted ginger snap and caramel crack.

The newlyweds enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife to the Luther Vandross ballad, "Here and Now." The reception also featured a special performance by Dana Harper, a Dallas singer who appeared in season 11 of The Voice.

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Hearn and Hawkins first connected on Instagram when the athlete sparked a conversation over the rival team shirt that Hawkins was wearing in a photo and "heckled her about it." After exchanging messages for a while, Hearn asked her out for dinner — and the rest is history!

The Koyo Carp athlete, who previously played several seasons in the MLB, popped the question to Hawkins in October 2022 during a date night at an escape room. The last clue in their challenge revealed a piece of paper printed with the surprise message, "Will you marry me?" Hearn then got down on one knee and proposed.

He then took his new fiancée to her second surprise — a house that he had bought for the two of them. Inside, a group of their closest friends and family were waiting to celebrate with the couple.

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Hearn shared his engagement news on Instagram at the time. He wrote, "FOREVER EVA 🔒," alongside a photo of himself and Hawkins posing in front of a lit sign that read, "She Said Yes."

As he reflects on his wedding, Hearn says it was a perfect day "full of love — and Beyoncé," jokingly referring to the reception playlist. Now, he and Hawkins are excited to settle into their married life together.

"I'm looking forward to the future and starting our own family," Hearn says. "Being with my best friend through the good, the bad and the ugly. [Marriage] is getting to choose to love someone every day for the rest of our lives."

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