A magical wedding day courtesy of the Hop Farm and Mercury publisher the KM Group brought a run of extremely bad luck to an end for Stephanie Hutchings and Justin Harris.

The happy couple won the hearts of Mercury readers after a redundancy, a car accident and a life-threatening stroke scuppered their wedding plans. But they were voted worthy winners of our Dream Wedding competition and their long awaited nuptials on Saturday gave them the happiest day of their lives.

“It was magical,” said Stephanie, 32, of Belmont, Walmer.

Despite a day of rain, the weather subsided just in time for the ceremony which was held in the Hop Farm’s marquee.

Wearing a stunning white dress, the bride was walked down the aisle by her father Steve Hutchings, watched by her waiting groom, her mother Rosemary, and Justin’s parents Malcolm Harris, Angie Best and their respective partners.

A gathering of special friends and family members helped make their day complete. Justin, 40, suffered a stroke this time last year and after coming out of intensive care he was paralysed for many months.

But, Stephanie said, winning the competition gave him the incentive to work hard at his physiotherapy, and he was able to walk his bride down the aisle after they tied the knot – 12 months and four days after his illness struck.

"Our song was Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship"

She said: “Our song was Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship, which was played as we walked back down the aisle. There was not a dry eye in the room when Justin made his speech.”

The special day was just how they wanted it – an intimate gathering, made so much better by the help of organisers at the Hop Farm.

“We would recommend it to anyone getting married," she said.

“We wouldn’t have had the day we did if it wasn’t for everyone voting for us. And my hairdresser Jazz Hallett and photographer Darryl Curcher stood in to help make the day special.”

Now Stephanie, who is Justin’s carer, is looking forward to her life as Mrs Harris, and Justin, previously a builder, continues to work hard towards full mobility in the gym he has made in their garage.

To see two pages of wedding pictures, pick up a copy of this week's Mercury priced 95p.