Aleesha and Shane's story began in their early twenties in 2018, after one of Shane's football games. What followed was months of dates, including their very first up on Mount Tamborine. Like many young couples still finding their way, life took them down separate paths for a while. But five years later, in 2023, they found their way back to each other — older, wiser, and ready for something real. They've been together ever since.
Their engagement story took place on the other side of the Tasman, hiking through the breathtaking Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. After an early start to catch the sunrise, the couple made their way through Hooker Valley and climbed more than 2,200 stairs to reach the lookout. Surrounded by stunning views, Shane got down on one knee. It was the easiest yes of Aleesha's life.
To Aleesha, marriage means family — sharing a name with the children they'll one day raise, and promising a lifetime of commitment, loyalty, love and happiness together.
Choosing where to say "I do" felt like an easy, full-circle decision. Since their very first date was spent up on Mount Tamborine, so getting married at Mountain Glades felt like it was always meant to be. With their shared love of hiking and rainforest adventures, the lush mountain setting fit their aesthetic perfectly. On the day, over 110 guests, including their whole extended family, gathered to celebrate with them.
Aleesha admits bridal shopping can feel overwhelming, but her experience was anything but. She was first introduced to Vanessa when her best friend Chloe, who found her own dress at When Freddie met Lilly, and from the moment Aleesha stepped through the doors, she knew Vanessa would create the dress of her dreams. She always pictured lace, but the design she ended up falling for was different to anything she'd imagined, but it was absolutely stunning, and made to feel entirely her own. The best part of the whole experience was sharing it with her mum and bridesmaids the day they finally found "the one."
Shane's attire was a true team effort too, with the couple landing on a beige, light linen suit for a relaxed, natural feel.
Aleesha and Shane strayed from tradition and spent their last night as fiancées together, waking easily and excitedly before separating for the morning of the big day. Her bridesmaids put together a "letters to the bride" book, filled with heartfelt notes from family and friends — including a poem Shane had written for her.
Their wedding party wore a rustic colour palette: bridesmaids in burnt orange, and the groomsmen wore matching ties, while Shane wore soft sage green. The same tones — sage, burnt orange and white — carried through the styling, with sage table runners, cylinder vases filled with roses and baby's breath, styled beautifully by Kim from Mountain Glades. Shane and the groomsmen decorated the arbour themselves.
Aleesha's bouquet and florals were made up of real-touch silk white and burnt orange roses, baby's breath and sage greenery — and it carried something even more special. Tucked inside were her late father's ashes and small charms representing her family, while baby's breath in her hair echoed the styling worn by her mum, grandma and sister-in-law before her. Shane wore his grandfather's heirloom pocket watch and an apex pin in tribute to his family.
What mattered most to Aleesha was simply being present — soaking in every moment with her new husband and celebrating with the people who love them most. One piece of advice stuck with the couple through planning: to steal fifteen minutes together during the reception, away from guests and cameras, just to talk about their favourite moments so far. They did exactly that, and it became one of the most special parts of their day.
Of course, not everything went to plan — their celebrant lost her voice and her daughter had to step in, a rainy morning turned into gorgeous moody photos, they were locked out of their apartment, and Aleesha realised at the altar that their rings were still back in the room (thankfully, her stepdad ran to the rescue!!). Aleesha's advice to future brides: don't stress about what might go wrong, because something always will — just laugh it off, and it'll all work out perfectly.
Their absolute highlight was seeing family and friends come together to celebrate them, reading their vows to one another, and sharing their first dance as Mr and Mrs Palmer. As Aleesha walked down the aisle, Shane told her she looked gorgeous and he did shed a tear.
We absolutely loved being a part of Aleesha and Shane’s wedding day, and are so honoured that they trusted us with helping bring a part of their beautiful day to life in a way that is unique to them!
Venue - @tamborinemountainglades
Photography - @aesthete_film_and_photo
Dress - @whenfreddiemetlilly
Hair - @uniquee_stylez
Make up - @emmamaguire.mua
Florist - @the.vintage.poppy
Cake - @withthiscake17
Celebrant - @perfect10civilceremonies
Dance - @weddingdancediva
Husband - @palmer.the.III
