Shilee Hesman & Antonio Sanders
Married
Apr 25, 2025
Collinsville ,
Texas
Photo Credit
Chandler J Photo
Style Guide
Color Palette
Style
Season
Spring
The Proposal
Toni devised the perfect proposal by organizing everything to resemble a brand deal. He collaborated with Royal Caribbean to invite Shi and other models on a Mediterranean cruise that conveniently included a stop at Shi’s dream destination: Santorini, Greece. Since they had previously worked with Royal Caribbean, modeling and creating content for them, this plan didn’t seem out of the ordinary.
Toni and the Royal Caribbean team created a “fake contract” for this trip to surprise Shi completely. The cruise finally arrived, and it was an amazing eight-day journey, culminating in the highly anticipated stop at Santorini.
The plan for the shoot involved Shi and Toni acting out an intimate date scene while the videographer and photographer captured the stunning views. Unbeknownst to Shi, Toni and the videographer had already established a code phrase to signal when it was time for him to propose. As Shi faced the ocean with her back to Toni and the camera, the videographer said the phrase, “third time’s a charm,” and the rest became part of their beautiful memory. Toni got down on one knee and asked Shi to spend the rest of her life with him.
In Preparation
Preparing for her wedding day was one of the most special experiences of Shi’s life, and she got to share it with her best friend—her mom. Her mom was there for every detail, every decision, and every little moment that brought the day together. She seemed to understand her vision even before she finished explaining it, making everything come to life. From choosing the dress to arranging the tiniest decorations, her mom made everything feel effortless and filled with love. She couldn’t have done it without her, and honestly, she wouldn’t have wanted to.
Then there was her groom: calm, steady, and focused on one thing—making sure she was happy. He gave her the freedom to dream, plan, and create, while only making three heartfelt requests: that they cut the cake together (and that he would choose what it looked and tasted like), that he wouldn’t see her until she walked down the aisle, and that they exchange their vows in front of everyone they loved. It was the perfect balance—a day built on love, support, and intention from the two people who knew her best.
The Big Day
The day of their wedding was especially intimate. Shi and Toni wanted a modest-sized guest list to create the perfect atmosphere. They were surrounded by 75 immediate family members and dear friends who had supported their relationship since high school. It was important for them to invite only those who encouraged their love from the very beginning, and this choice filled the day with genuine warmth and support.
Shi and Toni had two “musts” for their wedding: one was to not see each other before walking down the aisle, and the other was to recite their own vows at the altar. These personal touches added a deeper emotional significance to the day and created lasting memories for both of them.
The Retreat
Ever since Shi and Toni were in high school, they both knew they wanted to honeymoon in Hawaii. And that’s exactly what they did. They visited two islands during their honeymoon: Kauai and Oahu, and they had the time of their lives. Every moment in Hawaii was unforgettable, whether it was watching the dolphins swim in the ocean at sunrise or hiking one of the beautiful mountains in Oahu. Each experience was truly life-changing.
Contributing Vendors
Venue
Photography
Wedding Coordinator
Videography
Makeup Artist
Music
Uptown Violins
Royal Dukes Band
