Below Deck’s Aesha Scott Marries Longtime Love Scott Dobson in ‘Hometown’ New Zealand Wedding

“You’re bringing together people from all walks of your life — you know them all, but they don’t all know each other. When you do this, the ice has already been broken for the wedding, and there’s a much more jubilant feel on the big day,” she notes about the pre-wedding gatherings.

The following day, Aesha and Scott tied the knot in a ceremony officiated by his sister, Brooke Dobson. The bride’s one non-negotiable for the event was no phones. “I’ve been at weddings where the bride is walking down the aisle and it’s like a Dua Lipa concert, with every phone out filming her,” she explains. “That’s what a videographer is paid for — just be present and enjoy the moment.”

Aesha wore a custom two-piece dress by LVR Bridal, an Auckland-based label, featuring a “gorgeous” white corset top with a long bubble skirt, paired with a scarf made from the same fabric as the skirt. “I always knew I wanted a timeless dress, something simple and elegant rather than something that is ‘on trend’ that wedding season,” she says of her bridal look.

“I also decided to have a veil, which I didn’t expect I would like, but it elevated the whole look. It was exactly what I had in my head — but better. I was so happy!” she adds.

For her second look, LVR Bridal made a mini version of her bubble skirt. “The beauty of wearing a separate top and bottom is that all I have to do is whip one skirt off and pop another one on, rather than a full dress change,” Aesha notes.

The emotional wedding ceremony began with Aesha and Scott sharing sweet “little speeches” with each other before reciting traditional vows.

After the pair were officially declared husband and wife, they celebrated with their guests at a reception, which included a dinner of Thai food, such as curries and noodle dishes, served family-style.

“I have been obsessed with Thai food for as long as I can remember, and I thought, if it’s one of the most special days of my life, I want to be eating my favorite cuisine,” Aesha says, joking, “I just needed to be very careful slurping up Pad Thai in a white dress.”

The couple opted to forgo a wedding cake — “Scott isn’t into cake, and I’m not fussed about that tradition,” Aesha says — and instead served cookies and cupcakes while everyone was dancing.

For their first dance as a married couple, the two chose Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One,” which the Below Deck star says echoes the story of their relationship.

“This song makes me bawl because the lyrics in the first verse are about how unlikely it is they would stay together, but they’re still there holding on. This is similar to us,” she explains. “We’ve had a very unique relationship with how much I travel for work and how much time we spend apart, but look at us, we made it.”

The couple’s wedding weekend wrapped up on Sunday, March 8, with what Aesha described as “a recovery/debrief session” at a local bar.

Afterwards, Aesha and Scott are headed off on a mini-moon in Queensland, the reality star’s “favorite place in the world.”

“We had so many loved ones visiting New Zealand from overseas [for the wedding] that we had wanted to visit for a long time, so we didn’t want to fly away for weeks now that they will all finally be here,” Aesha explains of forgoing a big honeymoon. “This way, we can have a few days alone, soaking it in, and then carry on spending time with those who are still around.”

Aesha and Scott first met in high school but were only acquaintances at that time. They didn’t begin dating until about 10 years after graduation, when Scott reached out to Aesha on Instagram. After months of exchanging messages, she “took the risk” and flew from New Zealand to the United States, where Scott was living at the time.

“Our first date was a two-week road trip in his converted ambulance camper. It was amazing!” Aesha recalls.

Scott popped the question in April 2024 at sunrise on Aesha’s favorite beach, Homunga Bay in New Zealand. “He got down on one knee, and the rest is a blur of squeals and tears and smiles,” she remembers of the proposal.

Now, Aesha is excited to call Scott her husband and continue building their life together.

“Getting married for us is showing our commitment to each other. We know life will have its ups and downs, and we won’t always be feeling super loved-up, but it’s about vowing to each other that we will try our darned best to get through those down moments, and to enjoy our up moments together,” she tells PEOPLE, adding that making things official with Scott also “makes you feel like more of a solid family unit, which is nice for us with how busy and crazy our lives are.”

She says the two “really want babies sometime in the next few years,” but they are both focusing on their careers at the moment. “I’m in such a fun space of momentum where doors just keep opening, so I want to ride this wave, and Scott is just starting to do his pilot’s license, which will take a couple of years,” she explains. “He will be the most incredible father when that time comes — I’m so lucky I get to do that journey with him.”

Reflecting on her love for Scott, Aesha says she cherishes his “good heart” and adventurous spirit.

“He would go to any effort to help someone in need, he will talk to the least talked to person in the room, and he would never intentionally do wrong by anyone,” she tells PEOPLE. “I also love that we have an adventurous life together, where we are both driven by a thirst for new experiences and enjoying the outdoors.”

She also appreciates that her husband gives her the support and space to follow her dreams.

“He lets me go off and chase my dreams to their fullest, without any jealousy or possessiveness. We are both very independent, so I love that we have this beautiful balance of lovely quality time, and then time on our own exploring our own interests, work and hobbies,” she says.

“I feel so grateful I got to marry my darling love,” she adds.