A COUPLE from Florida travelled 4,347 miles to marry on the Isle of Wight — and tied it in with the LeBlanq cycling event featuring Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Mandy Schutt and Roy Foley enjoyed the most wonderful elopement ceremony on the cliffs at Freshwater.

They arrived in London on May 12, spending the day exploring the capital, which they had never visited before.

They travelled down to the Island on May 13, to take part in the legendary joy riding LeBlanq event, led by legends of cycling with big names, including Johan Museeuw.

The event is for people who enjoy cycling but also like their food prepared by world class chefs at bucket list locations.

The couple had met through their love of bikes, so, two years down the line, they chose an elopement ceremony, with just the two of them (and their bikes) as the mutual love of cycling bought them together.

Mandy chose the location at Freshwater with the back drop of Tennyson Downs for the ceremony, which was co-ordinated by Elaine Cesar, who also conducted their celebrant-led elopement.

Isle of Wight County Press: Roy Foley and Mandy Schutt married on the Isle of Wight while on the LeBlanq tour. Pictured with celebrant Elaine Cesar. Pictures by Stephanie Mackrill. Roy Foley and Mandy Schutt married on the Isle of Wight while on the LeBlanq tour. Pictured with celebrant Elaine Cesar. Pictures by Stephanie Mackrill.

The day was perfect, starting off with a bike ride, and blessed with beautiful weather.

Roy arrived in an open top Jaguar, and Mandy in a vintage car.

The elopement was followed by a sand ceremony and photoshoot at the Fairytale Cottage in Niton, before moving on to an iconic English telephone box in Ventnor to capture something old and traditional.

The final destination for the day was The Royal Hotel in Ventnor, for dinner with the celebrity cyclists and fellow cyclists.

Isle of Wight County Press: Roy Foley and Mandy Schutt married on the Isle of Wight while on the LeBlanq tour. Far left, Sir Chris Hoy joins the happy couple. Far right is celebrant Elaine Cesar. Pictures by Stephanie Mackrill. Roy Foley and Mandy Schutt married on the Isle of Wight while on the LeBlanq tour. Far left, Sir Chris Hoy joins the happy couple. Far right is celebrant Elaine Cesar. Pictures by Stephanie Mackrill.

Roy said: “If you can imagine the perfect day, this was that day. The Isle of Wight is amazing. As soon as we stepped off the ferry we were just in a state of relaxation."

He thanked Elaine, and photographer Stephanie Mackrill.