Wedding of the Week: 'Magical day' as couple are first to marry in Cork garden centre

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner make history as first couple to get married at The Pavilion Garden Centre in Cork

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner exchanged the ultimate in summer wedding vows as they each said “I do” in a garden centre.

Aisling, from Winchester, and Dean, from Cork, also made history as the first couple to be married in The Pavilion, Ballygarvan, Cork. Rena Noonan of Cork Registry Office performed the outdoor civil ceremony and the reception took place in the venue’s The Glasshouse Restaurant, where the East London-based newlyweds celebrated with 16 of their closest family members. “It really was such a magical day,” says the bride.

Sealed with a kiss: Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

“We are planning another bigger celebration in Spain in 2025 but wanted our legal ceremony closer to home for those who can’t attend next year.” Aisling’s grandad, Ken Brown, who sadly passed away the week before the wedding, was remembered on the day. “It also became a celebration of his life,” she says.

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

The bride looked super-chic in a vintage Christian Dior suit she sourced on eBay. “I had it resized with a local tailor in London and it was perfect. I’ll be wearing a dress next year so I thought it would be nice to mix things up with a suit,” she says. 

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

“We found Dean’s suit for a bargain in a vintage shop in Brick Lane, in East London — it fit perfectly so we took it and ran! I did my own hair and make-up and Dean’s cousin Juliet did my eye makeup. Dean’s sisters resized their late mother Bora Coleman’s necklace so I could wear it as a bracelet.”

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

Aisling, who works in wine marketing, and Dean, a software engineer, first laid eyes on one another almost a decade ago in Australia. “Dean had been living there for five years and I was on a working holiday visa,” says Aisling. “We met at my cousin’s birthday drinks in Sydney. Her boyfriend at the time was working with Dean who came along with him. I heard his Irish accent and loved his wit — and the rest is history.”

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

Dean popped the question last October. “We were living in Barcelona for six months and Dean surprised me with a trip to Ibiza, staying in a beautiful agrotourism hotel.” 

As they surfaced after a sunset swim, he proposed. “I was so shocked that I burst into tears and kept saying ‘I really didn’t expect this!’” says Aisling. “There were a few other people within earshot who I think thought we were breaking up!”

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

They were keen to organise a “really relaxed” wedding, she adds. “I happened to be scrolling Instagram Stories, The Pavilion popped up and I remembered that we had had a beautiful lunch there. I messaged them and asked if they did civil ceremonies.

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

“Jayne [brand manager Jayne Harris] came back straight away to say they would be open to it (this was two weeks out from the actual date!).” Jayne adds: “Being part of Aisling and Dean’s love story was a dream come true, and we look forward to hosting many more unforgettable weddings here in future.”

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

The Pavilion’s creative director Catherine Shiels created the floral décor. “We felt like we were in Tuscany,” says the bride. “Justine from the Cork Flower Studio did my bouquet and Dean’s buttonhole.”

After welcome drinks in The Glasshouse the bride’s parents walked her down the aisle.

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

Husband-and-wife team Massimo and Chiara Russo were the photographers (Instagram: @massy_russo_photography; massimorussophotography.com) and Gillian Murphy made the cake. “We headed into town after the reception and went to the Courthouse Tavern, which Dean’s dad Kieran Mohally used to run,” says Aisling.

Aisling Brown and Dean Milner. Pictures: Massimo Russo Photography

The newlyweds enjoyed a minimoon in Rosscarbery, Co Cork, and will honeymoon next year.

• If you would like your wedding featured in email [e-mail]