Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner met as teenagers in Las Vegas, Nevada, at different schools. Their relationship took an unexpected turn: they got engaged in January 2015, but the wedding was called off and they broke up. However, they got engaged again in July 2016 and married on December 16, 2016 at the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have since built a family together.
The Las Vegas Beginning
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner grew up in Las Vegas in separate school circles, but their paths crossed during their teenage years. The city that witnessed the start of their relationship would later see them reunite and build a life together. By the time Harper became one of baseball’s biggest stars, Varner remained central to his world.
Engagement, Breakup, and Second Chances
In January 2015, Harper proposed. The wedding plans fell through, however, and the couple separated. The story could have ended there, but in July 2016 they decided to give their relationship another shot. The engagement was renewed, and this time the wedding actually happened. On December 16, 2016, they married at the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking a fresh start for both.
Kayla Varner: College Athlete
Before becoming the wife of one of baseball’s elite hitters, Kayla Varner was a collegiate soccer player. She played at Brigham Young University (BYU) from 2011 to 2012 and then continued her athletic career at Ohio State, where she graduated in 2015. Her record as a high-level collegiate athlete established her as a serious competitor before starting a family with Harper.
Bryce Harper’s Career During Their Marriage
When Harper and Varner married in December 2016, the outfielder was already well-established as one of baseball’s brightest talents. Harper was selected first overall in the 2009 MLB Draft and debuted with the Washington Nationals in 2012. By 2015, the year of their first engagement, he had already won the National League MVP Award. His career continued to soar: in 2019 he signed a 13-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the largest contracts in sports history. Meanwhile, his marriage to Varner solidified with the birth of three children.
| How They Met | As teenagers in Las Vegas, Nevada, at different schools |
| First Engagement | January 2015 |
| Second Engagement | July 2016 |
| Wedding Date | December 16, 2016 |
| Wedding Location | San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Children | Three |
| Kayla Varner’s Career | College soccer player (BYU 2011–2012, Ohio State 2012–2015) |
FAQ
How long were Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner apart?
The exact duration of their separation between the 2015 wedding cancellation and the new engagement in July 2016 is not publicly known.
Where did Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner meet?
They met as teenagers in Las Vegas, Nevada, at different schools.
What was Kayla Varner’s athletic background?
She was a college soccer player, competing at BYU from 2011 to 2012 and then at Ohio State, where she graduated in 2015.
