Dog The Bounty Hunter’s daughter Lyssa Chapman married her friend Leiana Evensen in Hawaii earlier this month.
The couple, who have been together since 2016, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony while wading in the sea off the Hawaiian coast.
Although Dog, aka Duane Chapman, didn’t attend the wedding in person, Lyssa told People, “He was obviously on the phone with me all morning and throughout. We gave him a few FaceTimes. He was there in spirit and electronically too.’
Newlyweds: Dog The Bounty Hunter’s daughter Lyssa Chapman married her friend Leiana Evensen in Hawaii earlier this month
I do: The couple, who have been dating since 2016, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony while wading in the sea off the Hawaiian coast
Lyssa explained that emotionally it’s gotten “really, really hard for him to come back to Hawaii,” where he lived with his late fourth wife, Beth Chapman.
Dog and Beth rose to fame together as reality TV bounty hunters and enjoyed a happily married life of over a decade until her death from cancer in 2019.
Lyssa posted a wedding album on Instagram this Wednesday, writing, “Last week at 7am Lei and I boarded a boat with seven of our closest family members and we dedicated our love and lives to each other.”
The album included an image of the brides in daisy dukes and bikini tops kissing in the sea while being showered with rose petals.
Father and daughter: Although Dog, aka Duane Chapman, didn’t attend the wedding in person, Lyssa told People, “He’s been on the phone with me, of course, all morning and throughout.”
A few silhouetted snaps showed the newlyweds frolicking in the shallows together, exuding wedded bliss.
“It was the most epic conditions on the bay, the water was a glass mirror. We had a few raindrops (blessings) and when we got to our seat we were blessed again (do, do, do, do) by a pod of baby sharks,” revealed Lyssa.
“With our feet in the water, we connected to the power and vastness of the ocean. We have been embraced by the majestic Ko’olau mountain range, which will continue to embrace us as we live and spend the rest of our lives together in Makaalamihi.’
She added, “There, under the guidance of Uncle David, we made our declarations of intent, took our vows, and OFFICIALLY began life together as wife and wife.”
Ready for Instagram: Lyssa’s wedding album featured a picture of the brides in Daisy Dukes and bikini tops kissing in the sea while being showered with rose petals
Such fun: A couple of silhouetted snaps showed the newlyweds romping through the shallows together and exuding wedded bliss
Lyssa couldn’t help but thank Wesley Sargent, who runs a company specializing in Hawaiian elopements and made sure the brides could keep their plans under wraps.
The wedding was “literally a dream day,” Lyssa gushed, expressing her delight that Leiana “is my frigging WIFE!! I am so happy, blessed, filled with love and gratitude.”
She added, “I never thought I was worthy or capable of that kind of love.” The vibration I feel in my body hasn’t stopped since I met her and if you’re reading this from a dark place you know your happy beginning is out there somewhere too.
The blushing bride concluded, “So much more to come. Thank you all for being here on our journey. I love you forever my wife.’
Closed Deal: Lyssa wrote, “There, under the guidance of Uncle David, we made our declarations of intent, took our vows, and OFFICIALLY began life together as wife and wife.”
As they exchanged vows, Lyssa wore a white wedding dress with a floral hoop, while Leiana wore a matching shirt with dark shorts.
Two of the guests at the intimate ceremony were Lyssa’s two daughters, Abbie May, 20, and Madalynn Grace, 12.
Lyssa gave birth to Abbie the day after her own 15th birthday and the father – who was 24 at conception – was arrested for statutory rape.
She now shares Madalynn with her ex-husband, Brahman “Bo” Galanti, to whom she was briefly married from 2009 to 2011.
Origin story: Lyssa told Amo Mama last year that she was running a business in Hawaii in 2016 when she met Leiana, who was one of her clients
Lyssa told Amo Mama last year that she was running a business in Hawaii in 2016 when she met Leiana, who was one of her clients.
They were “instantly fascinated” by the fact that they had the exact same date and year of birth, and shortly afterwards realized that they had “similar morals”.
Their romance blossomed over the next few months, and not long after they began dating, Lyssa realized Leiana was “the one.”
Towards the end of 2017, Leiana proposed to Lyssa during a trip to Seattle and the bounty hunter’s daughter agreed to marry her.
Back in March, Lyssa hinted that she and Leiana wanted to get married “in the sea” in their swimsuits, though she declined to give any specific dates or details.
She defended her father last year when his daughter Bonnie and stepdaughter Cecily accused him of racism and homophobia.
While speaking to People about her nuptials this week, she revealed that Dog was supportive of her relationship with Leiana.
“My dad just always loved me and it wasn’t something we talk about. I think it’s really hard for people who are Christians and believe that marriage belongs to a man and a woman. But when your daughter falls in love with someone and you love that person, you can’t just say you don’t believe in it,” Lyssa said.
“I don’t want to put words in his mouth because I don’t know what his exact feelings are about it, but he’s never shown me anything other than support.”