Lilian Garcia kicked off WrestleMania week by tying the knot. Garcia married Patrick Ellrich on April 12, having announced their engagement in November last year without initially revealing his identity. Ellrich is a former pro wrestler who competed in NWA Anarchy and served as Xavier Woods’ former tag team partner. The couple met on a Bumble date at his Proper Hop Taphouse after a hike, where Garcia discovered he owned the venue and had a wrestling background.
Speaking with The Takedown on SI, Garcia explained that a larger ceremony had originally been in the works before the couple decided the pressure was too much.
“Yeah, we were gonna do a bigger wedding with more friends. Trish Stratus was ready to fly in. Candice Michelle, like yeah, there were some people that were ready to fly in. But as we were preparing, it started getting very overwhelming. So, the joy started depleting and the stress of it started piling on,” Garcia said.
The intimate ceremony ended up being everything the couple hoped for.
“We could not have orchestrated this any better. During the ceremony, we were overlooking a bridge and you could hear the water flowing and the birds chirping. It was so peaceful. The whole vibe was peaceful,” Garcia said.
Ellrich, who traveled with Garcia throughout her WWE career, made no secret of his enthusiasm for heading to WrestleMania 42 together just days after their wedding.
“I can’t hide how I am absolutely over the moon excited I am to be going to WrestleMania. In Vegas and a couple days after we get married? With Lilian Garcia? I’m so excited. I love the lineup of matches. I’m pumped about getting to go to the Hall of Fame as well. Getting to see what she’s doing with Trish that week and then getting to just run around WWE World for a few days as well? I can’t hide my excitement,” Ellrich said.
He also hinted at shared stories from their years on the road together.
“Not a lot of people know that she and I traveled together her entire career. She was there seven years straight. She and I rode together for that whole time. We have stories. We have many stories. So we’re going to share some of those stories and then answer the Q and A’s on Thursday night. I’m supposed to be doing something at WWE World Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Friday night is Hall of Fame,” Ellrich said.
Garcia had two runs with WWE from 1999 to 2019, returned in 2024, and has made sporadic appearances for key events since. She served as a special announcer for John Cena’s retirement match in December 2025. Congrats to the happy couple.
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