Evergreen Gardens

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

“Our story” begins in Xela, Guatemala. Matt was in his third year of residency in Chelan, Washington, and Erin had just accepted a new job that would soon move her from Texas to Richland, Washington. Before we get into the rest, we have to pause and thank our soon-to-be bridesmaid and groomsman, Becca and Will Reinhard, for bringing Erin up north in the first place. If it weren’t for Becca’s recommendation (which ultimately led to that job offer in Richland), Erin may never have fallen in love with the mountains of the Pacific Northwest—or with the man she was about to meet. Both Matt’s residency program and Erin’s new job offered to send us to a month-long Spanish immersion school to strengthen our medical Spanish. We each randomly picked our program dates, booked our trips—Erin from Texas and Matt from Washington—and somehow ended up in the same place at the same time: Pop Wuj Spanish School in Xela, Guatemala, where our paths first crossed. We clicked immediately, along with a few other classmates from the school—friends we’re still close with to this day. From the start, it felt easy. We made the same jokes, shared the same interests, and bonded over a mutual love of adventure while learning the language and culture together. That month was full of unforgettable experiences, including backpacking up Volcán Acatenango—an active volcano—alongside our classmates. When the program ended, we all went our separate ways, promising to meet up again back in the States, but assuming distance would likely dull the connection we’d made. It didn’t. Erin moved to Washington about a month later, we met up again, and the rest is history. For the first year and a half, we made long-distance work between Chelan and Richland. We met up almost every weekend, and Matt showed Erin some of the best views across the state. We went hiking, skiing and snowboarding, camping, backpacking, and explored the different cities we passed through. After Matt graduated residency, we finally moved in together, then spent two months adventure-backpacking across Europe before settling down in Bellingham. Since then, we’ve been hiking up mountains, paddling down rivers, and finding new places to explore together—still keeping volcanoes in the mix, too. So far, we’ve summited two of Washington’s, Mt. Baker and Mt. Adams, and we’re hoping to tackle more PNW volcanoes this spring. We’ve built a really wonderful life together here with new jobs, new friends, and of course our two perfect cats—and we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of our favorite people all in our favorite place.

Our Story

Photos

Lindsay Minarovic

Matt and Emily go waaay back, specifically to Matt at age 9 when Emily was born. He has been eternally grateful to have such a smart, caring, and motivated younger sister. While she lives clear across the country in FL now the two make time to catch up, visit each other from time to time and plan to run 1/2 marathons in exotic locales in the future!

Emily Acosta 

Lauren Mirakian

Brian and Matt have been friends for over 17 years keeping in touch and making time for adventures despite all the changes and turns in life from different schools and states.  They had brief overlap time while he lived in WA spending time filming and camping around the Olympics. Brian teaches middle school in NJ now and in his spare time works on music and dance projects

Brian Malmgren

Ashley Mirakian 

Kyle and Matt became friends in high-school sharing a mutual love of snow sports. At Kyle's advisement Matt took on his coolest job to date as a snowboard instructor when he lived in NJ. The two frequently stay in contact now and make time to ski/ board down West Coast mountains when time allows.

Kyle VanLarr

Erin and Becca met in PA school, in 2018. Becca and her husband Will are the reason Erin moved to WA - without Becca & Will, there would be no Erin & Matt!

Becca Reinhard

Will, Becca, and their daughter Lily, are truly our family away from home. Our wedding wouldn't be complete without them. 

Will Reinhard

Wedding Party

*** ALERT *** TWO WORLD CUP GAMES AND A COLLEGE GRADUATION ARE OCCURRING NEARBY THE WEEK OF THE WEDDING, SO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT RESERVATIONS/ HOTELS/ AIRBNBS ASAP BEFORE THEY FILL UP! .There is only one flight per day from SeaTac (Seattle AirPort) to Bellingham airport which make scheduling difficult. Here are the options:.Option 1:If you're coming from or through Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, or San Diego, there are direct flights straight into the Bellingham Airport from these locations..Option 2:If you are coming from any other airport, you'll either have a layover at SeaTac (Seattle Airport) which could be hours or overnight before the 30 minute flight to the Bellingham Airport, OR.Option 3:You can fly to SeaTac and catch the BellAir Shuttle Bus ($54/person; website linked below) which will shuttle you from SeaTac to the Bellingham Airport. (~2 hrs).Option 4:If you're planning to rent a car, you can rent from the SeaTac Airport and make the 2 hour drive on highway I5 to Bellingham...** Tip: Bellingham airport is about 15 mins from our venue, and is tiny, so if you are able to leave from here instead of SeaTac, it does save you tons of time in travel and time getting through security. **

Getting Here: 

BellAir Airporter Shuttle Bus: - Takes you directly from Seattle SeaTac Airport to the Bellingham Airport (15 mins from our venue &amp; any of our recommended hotels).- $54/ person- 2 hour ride- Leaves every 1.5 hours from SeaTac starting at 8:30AM and ending at 11:30PM each day.

Airporter Shuttle and Bellair Charters

We’ve booked two hotel blocks from Wed 6/17 - Sat 6/20.The first block is at the Oxford Suites Bellingham and the second at Homes2 Suites by Hilton (see links in the list below).Ultimately though, most anywhere you choose to stay will be within 30 minutes of activities and events so you really can’t go wrong. We’ve included additional options below:

Staying Here:

We have reserved a block of rooms here. The room block will be listed as being for the period from June 17-June 20, however, the hotel will honor this price any time between June 12 and June 21. ** If your stay extends outside the June 17-20 dates (which we hope it does!) just ask to speak to Erin Ebbesen directly to ensure your entire stay is covered at the block rate. Deadline for reservations - May 19, 2026Amenities:Smoke-freeFree ParkingFree BreakfastPet-friendlyIn room refrigeratorFree wi-fiHot Tub

Oxford Suites Bellingham

***For those who want a suite with in-room kitchen Deadline to reserve May 17, 2026Amenities:***In-room kitchen 48 hr Cancellation policyComplimentary parkingNon-SmokingHot Breakfast BuffetComplimentary Wi-FiPool, Hot Tub &amp; Fitness Center 5 minutes from the Bellingham Airport. Grocery store within walking distance but less downtown feel. Right next to La Quinta, Hampton Inn, and Marriott Towne Place Suites

Home2 Suites by Hilton Bellingham Airport

5 minutes from the Bellingham Airport. Grocery store with walking distance but less downtown feel.

TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT BELLINGHAM

Just down the street from us and 5 minutes from the Bellingham Airport. Grocery store within walking distance but less downtown feel. Right next to Hampton Inn, and Marriott Towne Place Suites

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bellingham

Just down the street from us and 5 minutes from the Bellingham Airport. Grocery store within walking distance but less downtown feel. Right next to La Quinta, and Marriott Towne Place Suites

Hampton Inn Bellingham Airport

The hotel dropoff/pickup option for the BellAir bus shuttle about a 20 minute walk from the heart of downtown section.

Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center

Hotel Bellwether

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa Bellingham, Curio Collection by Hilton

We would recommend a car rental once you're in Bellingham. There's an Avis and Enterprise at the airport as well as a downtown location for Enterprise as well.

Getting around

Travel

Weeklong itinerary: Here is a rough outline of how we will be spending our week and where to find us to spend time with us during the week! We'll keep this list updated in real time and adjust events as needed according to the weather forecast for the week (6/19 excluded). Saturday 6/13: Arrivals and getting hereSunday 6/14: Lake Whatcom beach dayMonday 6/15: Seattle Day, pending group interestTuesday 6/16: Hikes/ Views at Artist PointWednesday 6/17: Hang out at our place with yard games in our open greenspaceThursday 6/18: Berry Picking (Strawberries, Cherries and Raspberries)Friday 6/19: Wedding DaySaturday 6/20: Afternoon brewery/ picnicSunday 6/21: Departures

Park with local beach access for paddle boarding, swimming, boat rentals fishing, BBQ jungle gym etc. We're going to have a beach day here one day of the week during your stay to pop in, have some food and get some sun! (day TBD pending weather). Stay posted to our site as we keep our week activity itinerary updated

Lake Whatcom Park

Nice Brewery w/ food options, going to have a fun picnic day here, has great indoor and outdoor space right in the heart of downtown with ample parking nearby.

Aslan Depot

Great open beer garden with live music most nights, tons of food truck options, right next to the bay. We'll have a group dinner here one night during the week for everyone to stop by whenever.

Kulshan Brewing Co - Trackside Beer Garden

About 40 minute drive from Bellingham to the incredible views of "Artist Point" NO HIKING REQUIRED! Peep that roadway! amazing views right from the comfort of your car! If you're feeling adventurous we'll lead a few short hikes from the parking lot to nearby meadows and views etc.

Artist Point

You're coming to WA, you've got to see the main attraction! Pike Place Market right in the heart of Downtown Seattle. Countless shops, eateries, waterfront views, short Uber to the Space needle, walking distance to the Aquarium and famous Ferris Wheel. About 1.5 hour drive from where we are in Bellingham but if interest is high enough we can wrangle a shuttle bus or alternatively carpool to nearby light rail station and ride the train into the city together.

Pike Place Market

Local berry farm, we'll stop by and get some fresh local seasonal Strawberries, Blueberries and Cherries

Barbie's Berries Seasonal Berry Stand

Things to Do

.Semi-Formal/ Cocktail; typical Summer-Spring wedding attire..Weather is typically between 60-70°F in mid-June. The Ceremony and Reception will both be outdoors, so bring a light jacket/ sweater if you get chilly in the evenings, but we'll have heat lamps and a fire to gather around after dark!

Dress Code