Steph was busy marvelling at the sights of the Inca Trail when she turned around to find Andy on one knee. “Close your eyes,” he said, his face puffy from an allergic reaction he’d had on the first day of their trip. “I don’t want you to see me like this when I ask you…”

Six years after meeting Steph, 28, at Leeds University, on the first stop of their belated gap year together, Andy, 31, proposed at the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu in Peru.

“It came as a complete surprise,” says Steph. “Despite his swollen face, it was the most romantic proposal in one of the world’s most idyllic settings.”

Photography Jodie Chapman (jodiechapman.com)

By Stephanie Stafford

With a traditional theme in mind, the bride-to-be knew exactly the look she was going for on the day. “I didn’t want anything too big and princessy,” says Steph. A Cymbeline (cymbeline.com) lace dress was perfect for her elegant style. “It was simple but gorgeous. I couldn’t stop smiling, so I knew it was The One.”

Steph purchased her dress and matching veil from The Wedding Shop in Alderley Edge (the-wedding-shop.co.uk). She accessorised her classic look with a pearl bracelet she made herself and a stunning crystal headpiece from Halo & Co (haloandco.com).

Staying true to the traditional theme, Andy wore tails while the bridesmaids looked pretty in simple Jasmine dresses (jasminebridal.com) in a sassy amethyst colour.

During a gorgeous ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Nether Alderley, Cheshire, Steph was surprised with a Sister Act-style gospel choir (singoutproject.co.uk) who sang everything from O Happy Day to Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

“Ever since I was little, I’d always wanted a gospel choir at my wedding,” says Steph. “We reluctantly decided that it wasn’t a must-have and so the idea got sidelined. Little did we know, my parents had been trawling around Manchester to find us the perfect choir!”

The party headed over to Adlington Hall (adlingtonhall.com) for a marquee reception where another 60 people joined the 130-strong guest list in the evening. The décor was inspired by Steph and Andy’s travels; tables were named after countries they’d visited and the couple went for bright, wild-looking flowers for an exotic feel – think pink hydrangeas with Coolwater roses and lisianthus.

“After the church service, Prestbury Flowers (prestburyflowers.co.uk) whisked all the flowers over to the reception venue, scattering them throughout the marquee and outdoor seating area,” says Steph. The table decorations were inspired by the bride’s bouquet, with a few embellishments of gerberas, stocks and shamrocks. “We adored the final arrangements,” says Steph. “Hydrangeas are one of my favourite blooms and were in season, so we based all the flowers and the pink and purple colour scheme around them.”

A photographer herself, Steph knew how to create a photo-fabulous reception. “I wanted to incorporate photos of our guests into the day as much as possible,” she says. “So we asked them to RSVP to the invites with a baby picture, which we used as place cards and on the table plan. It was a long process but a real ice-breaker!”

For favours, the couple gave their guests lottery tickets and organza bags stuffed with Haribo sweets. On the day, Steph gave each of the bridesmaids a handmade pearl bracelet to match her own.

“We had a huge dressing-up box on the dancefloor filled with an array of wigs, glasses, inflatable guitars and hats, which was so much fun,” says Steph.

The couple shared their first dance to their travelling song, Jason Mraz I’m Yours, before the rest of the party joined them to dance the night away as their band, JUMPIN (jumpinmusic.com,) worked through their favourite boogie beats.

“It was a great day,” says Steph. “I really cherished the time spent with my family in the morning. I travelled to the church with my dad and we held hands the whole way. That was a really special moment, I will remember it forever.”

Photography Jodie Chapman (jodiechapman.com)

Get to grips with our groomswear glossary for on-trend aisle styles for him or be inspired by our Fifties mood board – add cool pops of colour for an uber glam effect!