Aesha Scott’s our very own Below Deck superstar who’s become a global reality TV sweetheart thanks to her kind, down- to-earth and typically Kiwi nature, her goofy sense of humour and her love of talking about bodily functions.
And when she married her longtime love Scott Dobson in a joyous outdoor ceremony on a perfect, summery Bay of Plenty day, it kicked off in classic Aesha fashion. Waiting amid the beautiful native bush of the Omahanui Wedding & Events Venue with her seven bridesmaids as she prepared to walk down the aisle, Aesha realised she needed to use the bathroom.
Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day, she laughs, “We were all ready to go, then suddenly I was like, ‘No, I’ve got to wee!’ So I just lifted up my skirt and popped a squat around the corner of a shrub. “But I did such a large volume of it that the wee started trickling down the hill and chasing us down the path, so we were all giggling in the trees as staff were throwing leaves down on the ground to try to dam my wees. It was so fun!”
A father’s heartfelt handover
Bladder emptied and dress undamaged, Aesha linked arms with her dad, Thomas and made her way down the tree-lined aisle, towards her groom and guests, with her emotional father lifting her veil halfway down.
Aesha recalls, “That was one of the most special, powerful moments of the day because Dad’s always been the main man in my life and my best friend, so although I’m a strong, independent woman, he was handing over the reins for Scott to be my go-to guy.”
Scott’s unforgettable first look
It was then that Scott got his first proper look at his bride in her elegant, corseted gown from local label LVR Bridal.
A tough, extreme sportsman who works in hospitality, Scott confesses, “As soon as I saw her, I started bawling, but the dress was just exquisite and she had the biggest smile on her face, so I started smiling too. It was a perfect, ecstatic moment.”
As for Aesha, she remembers, “I just couldn’t believe how handsome Scott was. He looked amazing in his suit, with his bolo tie and cowboy boots. I just felt so proud that he was going to be my husband.”
A ceremony filled with emotion
Officiating the ceremony was Scott’s sister Brooke, whose celebrant’s licence arrived only a nerve-wracking two days beforehand. She tenderly guided the Amazing Race teammates through traditional wedding vows, then the bride and her former high-school buddy, both 34, shared self-penned speeches.
Aesha’s heartfelt vows
“My dear, darling Scott,” Aesha read, “you coming into my life was so unexpected and so exciting. I remember the day I found out you had a crush on me, and me jumping up and down with joy with my friends. Next thing I knew, I was flying to the US to go on a two-week adventure with this mountain man. “Since then, you have given me experiences I never would’ve done alone. Every hike, every camping spot, every new hot spring found, those are the moments that make life rich and you have gifted those to me – and the best part is that you’re a part of that package.”
“Your love has been unwavering and you’ve fought for us when you’ve needed to. With this crazy world I’m in, I know you’re often overlooked and left alone when plans have to be endlessly cancelled, yet you support me in every step and never make me feel bad. “I promise to prioritise time for us to be together, without all of the noise and chaos. I’m excited to see what life has in store for us, making memories as husband and wife. Thank you for loving me.”
Scott’s emotional vows
In turn, Scott recited, “Aesh, before you, I lived a life chasing adventure, living nomadically, with no real plan. Then you came into my life and somehow I’m still living a life full of adventure, still living pretty nomadically and there’s still not much of a plan. But now there’s two of us and that makes all the difference in creating something meaningful. “You are a shining beacon to many. You bring enthusiasm and optimism to the otherwise ordinary. You take every joke just that little bit too far. But I love that about you. You make life lighter. You make it fun.”
“As with any adventure, there’s a need to assess risk and plan carefully. But choosing a life with you, my ultimate and forever adventure, is the only time I’m willing to leap forward without hesitation, knowing whatever comes, we face it together. “And when the adventure nears its end, when we’re slowing down and feeling tired, we’ll get to look back on all the miles we’ve covered. In that moment, I can’t think of anything better than sitting down, holding your hand and sharing that unforgettable view with you.”
The ring exchange
Aesha and Scott then exchanged rings – an asymmetric yellow-gold ring with four bezel-set champagne diamonds for her and a simple tungsten-silver band for him – before being named husband and wife, celebrating with a smooch.
Aesha says, “It was just this beautiful little ceremony and I wouldn’t have changed one word. I wanted it to be emotional and serious, and Brooke just hit the nail on the head on her first-ever go. Everyone said afterwards, ‘I never cry at weddings and you absolutely broke me.’ There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
Their first kiss as newlyweds
Originally, the groom had planned to take his bride’s surname to become Scott Scott, but Aesha explains, “The more we thought about it, the more we realised it was going to be funny for about two months and then f**king annoying for the rest of our lives, so we’re both keeping our last names.”
As the “buzzing” newlyweds walked back down the aisle, Scott “flipped and dipped” his bride for a “really cute movie-moment kiss”, tells Aesha.
A magical reception entrance
Then the pair grabbed glasses of Champagne and led their guests along a winding path, through beautiful forest, beside a picturesque stream, to a lush green lawn, where more bubbles, Thai canapés and a Mr Whippy van were waiting.
“That was a highlight of the day,” Aesha says.
“As we made our way through the bush, we looked back to see all the people we love dotted through the trees. It felt like a Disney movie.”
Scott adds, “It reminded me of the Lord Of The Rings with all the elves walking through the forest. It was like a fairytale.”
A sweet reception surprise
The ice-cream truck was also a memorable moment for many of the guests, including Aesha’s Below Deck boatmates Hannah Ferrier and Anastasia Surmava, plus comedians Peter Helliar and Woody Whitelaw, her co-stars from Aussie reality series I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!.
“We couldn’t be bothered with cake and everyone loves Mr Whippy, right?” Aesha laughs.
“There were a lot of ice creams eaten in the sun!”
Inside the reception
After a “perfect, hilarious” speech from Aesha’s brother Jared – in which he “ripped me to pieces, talking about how feral and disgusting I am, before welcoming Scott to the family” – everyone headed inside for the reception, where Thomas and Scott’s father Les shared sweet words of wisdom.
Then it was time for a Thai feast with curries, pad thai, Asian slaw and rice.
Aesha grins, “Thai is my absolute favourite food in the world, so of course I wanted to eat it on the best day of my life. The panang curry was one of the best I’ve ever tried, and everyone agreed it was the tastiest and most shareable wedding food. “The staff were so incredible too. As a chief stew, I fully appreciated the table service and noticed no one had an empty drink all night because there were constant top-ups.”
A ballroom-worthy first dance
After emotional speeches from Aesha’s maid of honour, her sister Courtney, and Scott’s best man Trevor Ross, the bride and groom thanked their guests, then they took to the floor for their first dance, with Aesha changing into a shorter skirt for a fully choreographed ballroom routine to the Shania Twain classic You’re Still The One.
Aesha explains, “We did lessons because usually when we dance, I’m so bossy that I lead and he hates it, but I knew I was going to be an emotional wreck, so we needed to learn a proper dance with dips, spins and waltzy bits.”
Scott continues, “People really enjoyed it and we nailed it, apart from one bit, where Aesha stumbled her feet, but it was imperceptible to the untrained eye!”
A dancefloor to remember
Then the country music fans roped in the bridal party for a line dance that Scott himself had choreographed to Alan Jackson’s Livin’ On Love, before saxophone-playing local DJ Juan Chico got the dancefloor pumping with a collection of bangers from the likes of Rihanna, David Guetta and the Black Eyed Peas.
“It was the perfect end to the best, best, best day ever,” Aesha smiles.
“Your wedding is such a huge day in your life, and there’s so much pressure and room for disappointment, but we wouldn’t change a thing. “I loved seeing all the most important people in my life connecting and hanging out. There was the best energy and everyone just got on so well. Every time I looked up, the Australians were talking to my LA mates, who were chatting to the Coloradans, who were besties with the Germans.”
“Apart from marrying Scott, one of the things that felt so special to me was having all these guests from overseas who mean so much to us meeting our family and seeing our hometown – and they were absolutely blown away. Everyone said they want to move here and get citizenship. Several of them even got tattoos! I was so proud.”
Life as husband and wife
Asked if they feel any different now they’re officially married, Aesha grins, “Honestly, we feel closer than ever. We’re officially now going through life as a team. We’ve promised to try our very, very best to always love each other and fight for each other, even in the hard times.”
“We do want children, but not straight away. Before we start having babies, I want to be more conscious about carving out time to spend together as husband and wife. I’m so grateful this man has stuck by me throughout this crazy ride and I can’t wait for what comes next.”
Stream Below Deck on Hayu.
Images: Jonny Scott Photography
Hair: Brooke Mann, Hare & Hunter
Makeup: Tiffany Johnston, Blush Club
Styling: TBL Linen
Stationery: Paper Darling
Furniture: Willow Lane
