Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Hey everybody! Come camp and celebrate with us for a weekend on Silver Lake at Camp Saturna. We'll have fun lakeside activities, food, drinks and shenanigans all weekend!

Thursday, July 10th - 06:00 PM - Earliest Possible Arrival Friday July 11th - 09:00 AM&nbsp;- Breakfast &amp; Coffee- 09:00 AM - 1:00PM - Lunch pickup- 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM&nbsp;- “Olympiads”- 05:00 PM - Dinner Saturday, July 12th - 09:00 AM - Breakfast &amp; Coffee- 09:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Lunch pickup- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Cocktail Hour- 3:00 PM - Ceremony- 4:00PM - PARTY! Sunday, July 13th - 11:00AM - Checkout

Schedule

Despite Camp Saturna having heaps of boats/canoes/kayaks, they do not have adult sized PFDs. So, if you are not flying in and have some PFDs laying about, could you be so kind as to bring them and possibly share them with your fellow wedding guests? Thank you!

Help out the bride and groom!

Many of you know that Ben and I first met while volunteering for an incredible organization called Empact Northwest. If you’re not familiar, Empact is a global nonprofit dedicated to providing advanced rescue training, emergency systems development, and disaster relief support. Even though we’re now living in New Zealand, our passion for Empact’s mission stays strong—and we’re proud to continue supporting this organization close to our hearts. Instead of traditional gifts, we’d love for you to join us in making an impact! The best wedding gift you could give us is a donation to Empact International, helping them continue their amazing work locally and around the world. Your generosity will go directly toward empowering heroes who are out there saving lives every day—people we truly believe are modern-day superstars! Thank you for celebrating with us and helping us turn this special day into an even bigger act of kindness. Let's make a difference together! <a href="https://www.empact.ngo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.empact.ngo/</a>

Wedding Registry

Q + A

If you signed up for the&nbsp;Olympiad,&nbsp;then this page is for you!&nbsp;When: 1200 – 1500 on Friday July 11th.Where: East side of the lake in the big old grassy field. You can’t miss it!&nbsp;You will be assigned to teams with both familiar faces and new faces! There will be 6 teams of 6-7 participants. You will be given team names (compliments of&nbsp;Ben&nbsp;and Olivia) and team scarf colors.&nbsp;There will be three stations consisting of three set ups of each game.-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Badminton-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kan Jam-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kubb&nbsp;Your team will split up amongst the three games within each station and play simultaneously against another team. You will be given a set amount of time to score as many points as possible until the time is up. You may switch up players throughout the game. Once the timer is up you will rotate to the next station and begin against a new team.&nbsp;Once every team has played at each station, all the teams will gather to participate in a canoe race. You will need to select four team members that will go two in a canoe. One duo will canoe to the middle of the lake and wait. The other duo will start at the lake's edge with a team flag. They must then race to the team in the lake, pass the flag and then the “middle of the lake" crew races back to the start.&nbsp;After the canoe race the points will be added up and the winners will be presented with their prize.&nbsp;May the odds be forever in your favor!

Expected Participants:(Let Olivia know if you signed up but can not find your name) Isaac AshcraftAmanda BednarickBrandon BlinnAimee BonnainTom BorrDave BoyerJosh BylanMegan ChristensenCassie CottleLindsey GriffinJake GillandersKurt GroteSankalp GowdaMileva HuljevAmy Stuart HunnEric KennedyTaylorGiuli KafafMatt KeefJulie KeefJanice LeeSarah MelliesWaverly MelliesBritnni OlsonDave PhimsipasomStephen PanMoel RichardsYolande SerraMarrisa SchmidtEvan SjostedtXaviah SamsonAnastasia StrebkovaKorbi ThalhammerDave UmKari Van BalenRichard VotawRyan WathneAiden WholihanLora YorkDave York

Olympiad Info!

Engagement

Our Story

Matt Keef

Max Mellies

Wedding Party

You have two options. Sea Tac International Airport (Seattle) is 2hrs 15mins (126 miles) and Vancouver International Airport is 1hr 25mins (67 miles) from our wedding venue. It is up to you on whether you'd rather deal with Seattle and Everett traffic or crossing the Canadian border. They each have their pros and cons, but they're both reasonable options.

Flying In

45min drive from Bellingham, WA1.5hr drive from Vancouver, Canada2hr drive from Seattle, WA There is ample parking on location. Nearest gas station 10min away in Maple Falls. You will pass it coming in.

Driving Here

Due to the distance between the main lodge and camping area, we will be providing golf carts for expedient transportation. Bikes, boats, one wheels, pogo sticks, and personal water crafts are welcome to assist in your travels around or across the lake throughout the weekend! Upon arrival, you will be allowed to drive your personal vehicle across to the campgrounds to drop off your things. Afterwards, please bring your vehicle back to the designated parking area near the main lodge. We need to keep the road to the camping area clear for emergency vehicles...and pleeeeenty of space for the golf carts. You can also bring a bike if you'd like tot use that to get around!

Within Camp

Travel

Friday will be a day of fun and games and COMPETITION! Think last day of summer camp, canoe races, capture the flag and more! You’ll be placed into groups with people you may or may not know and play a variety of games. While getting to know the other guests, you will try to win the ultimate prize of bragging rights at the wedding and a little something special from Ben and Olivia. The games will take place on the East shore of Camp Saturna lasting from 11am to around 3pm.&nbsp;We have no further details for now as to the&nbsp;specific events, and games will be affected by interest size. If you do not want to participate you are welcome to watch, cheer on, and even heckle the teams. If you want to volunteer as tribute, let us know via the RSVP and may the odds be ever in your favor!

The Olympiad (Friday)

Take a hike up to Artist Point! There are great views from the parking lot and optional hikes of varying difficulty. Short hike: Huntoon Point (1.2miles w/ 200ft gain)Medium Hike: Table Mountain (2.6miles w/ 725ft gain)Long Hike: Chain Lakes Loop (6.5miles w/ 1,820ft gain)Longest Hike: Ptarmigan Ridge (9 miles w/ 1,800ft gain)

Artist Point Hike

Camp Saturna has a plethora of row boats, canoes, kayaks and SUPs. There are plenty of child size life vests but if you are an adult planning on boating please BYO-life vest. The camp has dock on both sides of the lake for easy access. There is also a public boat launch where you can launch your motor boat.

Swimming / Kayaking / Canoeing / SUP / Boating

Silver Lake is stocked with rainbow and coastal cutthroat trout! Make sure to get a fishing license and bring your own fishing gear.

Fishing on Silver Lake

Camp Saturna also has an archery range but don't worry adults, you're invited too. Kids bows and arrows are provided. Adults...BYO-bow

Archery for the Kiddos

Pizza and beer option west towards Bellingham!

North Fork Brewery

Pizza and beer option east towards Mt Baker Ski Area!

Chair 9 Woodstone Pizza & Sports Bar

Ben and Olivia's go-to spot for coffee and breakfast burritos on the way to Mt Baker Ski Area! Only an 18min drive :P

Wake 'N Bakery 

If you're looking for an activity prior to or after the wedding weekend we highly recommend checking out Galbraith Mountain. This is a world class mountain biking destination for both beginners and experts. If you are looking to rent, Dig Deep Tours offers mountain bike trailhead deliveries and pickups. Don't know what trails to ride? Well, Dig Deep Tours also provides tours ranging from 2hrs to 7hrs. They've got something for everyone!

Dig Deep Tours

Things to Do

Photos

Registry

Backcountry Essentials <a href="https://backcountryessentials.net/pages/camp-climb-watersport-rentals" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://backcountryessentials.net/pages/camp-climb-watersport-rentals</a>

REI (Seattle, WA or Bellingham, WA) <a href="https://www.rei.com/stores/rentals" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.rei.com/stores/rentals</a>

Rentals

Please have everyone in your party sign a safety waiver prior arriving to Camp Saturna. Thank you!

<a href="https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/yag5c5j5bfwedtaze1eph/web/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/yag5c5j5bfwedtaze1eph/web/</a>

Benjamin & Olivia

Benjamin & Olivia

Our Story

Engagement

January 04, 2020

March 25, 2020

August 23, 2023

October 06, 2023

May 06, 2024

July 12, 2025