‘He just wanted to sleep’: Couple’s long-haul flight love story

This couple sat next to each other on a long-haul flight and it wasn’t exactly the most romantic beginning to their love story.

Jane Armitstead

@JaneArmitstead

2 min read

January 18, 2023 - 8:00PM

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This couple lived out their very own romantic comedy moment after they met on a plane. Hannah Paterson and Trent Leask sat next to each other on a long-haul flight home from Thailand seven years ago and bonded over their love of travel.

Hannah laughs it wasn’t exactly love at first conversation.

Hannah Paterson and Trent Leask celebrated their wedding at Aberfeldy Barn and Farm. Picture: Jo Hammond

“Trent honestly just wanted to sleep so he thought I was annoying and persistent,” she jokes.

“I was very intrigued by how much he had travelled and was a bit sceptical of what he did for work because of his extensive travel history but he was an electrician when I met him.”

Seven years later, they celebrated their wedding on October 15 last year at Aberfeldy Barn and Farm outside Toowoomba in front of 110 guests.

They were keen to add in a few surprises for their guests and in a fun twist, picked their witnesses out of a jar on the day.

The proposal?

Trent had two attempts that fell through but ended up proposing halfway through a 10km hike at O’Reillys National Park.

Hannah Paterson and Trent Leask celebrated their wedding. Picture: Jo Hammond

He was planning on proposing on the first night in our house, but I was sick. He had then planned a nice day on the way to O’Reillys with a two-hour long massage at Mt Tamborine, but a road was closed and it took an extra hour to get there and then, to top it off, the muffler fell off our car.

Trent then decided to propose the next day while we were at O’Reillys. We were doing a big walk and he was trying to find the perfect spot. We kept walking to the end, it was muddy and there was not much of a view. And then Trent proposed. I was in shock! We had always said we didn’t want to get married, so I thought it was a joke.

Obviously I’m thrilled he did propose as our wedding day was one of the best days of our lives!

How and why did you choose your wedding venue?

We loved the relaxed atmosphere.

Hannah Paterson and Trent Leask. Picture: Jo Hammond

Any unique details?

We had a game (and a prize) at our wedding. As we met travelling and we both love to travel, we arranged the seating plan where everyone on the table had travelled to a specific continent.

We told them they had to guess what they had in common and the hint was it had to do with how Trent and I met. There was a prize for the winner, an ugly frame with a picture from our engagement shoot!

How did you go about choosing your wedding dress?

I tried on dresses in two shops but ended up finding a dress on Still White (online, second hand wedding dress store).

Can you tell the story behind picking your witnesses for the ceremony?

We picked the names out of a hat during the ceremony. We had one jar for my family and friends and another for Trent’s.

For my side, Guiseppe was our witness, who is a close family friend. His face was priceless! For Trent, it ended up being his best friend Rohan.

Hannah Paterson and Trent Leask. Picture: Jo Hammond

Best advice?

Decide the things that you love and try and include them on the day. Ours were: gelato, games, espresso martinis, pina coladas, good food, a grazing table, port and good music.

The Bride

Hannah Paterson, 32

Profession: Marketing campaign co-ordinator

Parents: Glenda and Bruce Paterson

Dress: Watters

Hair: Amanda at Hair on Station

Make-up: Juliana Cruz

Flowers: Bell bouquets

Engagement ring:
John Stone

Wedding planner/stylist: First Look Wedding Planning