Wedding Of The Week

Sun Herald

Sunday January 4, 2009

Kristie Lau

Aisling Butler and Jason Steporowski Summer Salt Restaurant, Cronulla

AISLING admits she had an ulterior motive when she accepted Jason's invitation to take her on a surfing lesson in 2005. "To be honest, I had no interest in surfing whatsoever and I kept nodding and agreeing but I didn't really care, I just wanted to go out with him," the 25-year-old corporate sales co-ordinator says. "And I think he was just testing the waters to see if I liked him before he took me on a real date."

A dinner at Wildfire Restaurant in Circular Quay the following week sealed the deal and the pair soon became inseparable, buying their first home together in 2006.

After that, Aisling says she couldn't help but hope for forthcoming wedding bells. But Jason, a 34-year-old marketing manager, had every intention of keeping a tight lid on his proposal. After returning from a dinner at Pink Salt in Double Bay, Aisling found a gift box on their bed with a note inside it. Jason had written down all the things he loved about Aisling and the final point read, "You said yes when I asked you to marry me."

"It was so beautiful. I looked up to see Jason on one knee with a stunning engagement ring and I quickly said yes so we could celebrate over champagne and phone all the family," Aisling says.

An outdoor wedding ceremony in Cronulla was originally on the cards but the couple woke to bucketing rain on the big day. "I played the ever-optimistic bride and kept telling everyone it would stop but I knew that everyone was expecting me to have a meltdown," Aisling says. "Luckily, Jason and I moved onto our Plan B and managed to relocate the ceremony to Elouera Surf Club, which worked out for the best."

The 120 guests were offered a three-course meal before everyone was invited to let their hair down with the bride and groom. The couple spent their 10-night honeymoon in Thailand.

What was the highlight?

Jason As cliched as it sounds, when Aisling said "I do".

Aisling Reaching Jason at the top of the aisle and holding his hands. All of my nerves disappeared and I couldn't stop smiling from that moment on.

What do you love most about your partner?

Jason Her incredible smile and her warm heart.

Aisling I love everything about Jason. He is the most thoughtful, loving and passionate person I have ever met.

The dress A dark-ivory silk gown with georgette ruffling around the neckline and down the V-shaped back, by Maria Fellas of Emoda Couture. The upper half was corseted and decorated with crystal detailing. Melissa Scott, Timea Butler and Laine Lister served as Aisling's bridesmaids and each wore a silver strapless frock by Morrissey. The bridesmaids also wore silver headpieces created by the bride's friend, Rachel Lee Morris.

The flowers All bouquets were created by Floratique in Illawong and filled with white ranunculus and lisianthus. They were then framed with Lamb's Ears foliage.

The cake A family friend whipped up a three-tier treat that consisted of chocolate butter cake and fruit cake, smothered in white icing, ribbons and fresh flowers.

© 2009 Sun Herald

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