Love has lifted us up where we belong

A TYNESIDE couple and their photographer climbed a mountain to get the perfect wedding snaps – quite literally.

Lizzie and Henrique Ventura, from Gateshead, chose ex-forces snapper Pete Robinson to capture their big day on camera.

But when the photographer discovered the couple’s mutual love of hiking, he suggested they go to new heights to achieve some unique pictures.

The newly-weds climbed one of Cumbria’s highest peaks, the Old Man of Coniston, the day after their wedding.

And Lizzie braced the cold when she stripped off her walking gear to change into her wedding dress after a two-hour hike to the top.

But after looking at the breathtaking snaps, both the couple and their photographer believe the climb was worth it.

Lizzie, 33, said: “When I was standing there in my wedding dress I did feel a bit crazy, but it was just really good fun. It’s the only chance I would ever get to do something like this. It was absolutely freezing, but it was amazing. It was definitely worth it.”

The couple met Pete, who lives in Cullercoats, North Tyneside, when he was taking pictures at a wedding in North Yorkshire.

They asked him if he would be available to take pictures when they tied the knot at Belmount Hall in Ambleside, in the Lake District.

Pete, a former RAF photographer, Lizzie and Henrique who live in Gateshead, decided to get married in the Lakes as they are both keen walkers discovered Lizzie and Henrique, 36, enjoyed hiking after following Lizzie on Instagram.

He decided to ask them if they fancied doing something a little different for their wedding pictures.

And Lizzie did not hesitate in saying ‘yes’.

The couple spent the next eight months walking and researching.

“They sent me a picture of the Old Man of Coniston,” said Pete. “And I thought it was absolutely perfect.” It took Pete, Lizzie and Henrique more than two hours to walk up the 2,634ft peak, on the day after their wedding, last weekend.

“When we got to the top it was really cold and Lizzie had to take her walking gear off and put her dress back on,” explained Pete.

“We spent around 25 minutes in total doing photos. By that time there was a small crowd gathering taking photos. It was an amazing experience. I’m always trying to push couples to go the extra mile for their pictures, but I don’t think I will ever find another couple crazy enough to do it so I knew it was a one off opportunity for me as a photographer.”

Communications manager Lizzie added: “It wouldn’t be for everyone but Pete just knew exactly what we were looking for. He breaks all the boundaries.”