This was my first time as a West Tower wedding photographer and what a great introduction it was to the venue!
I’m a relaxed, experienced wedding photographer based in Greater Manchester. I cover the North West and work in Lancashire wedding venues quite often. My style is a fun mix of natural, candid shots and some minimally posed formal pictures.
West Tower Country House
West Tower is an exclusive wedding venue on Mill Lane in Aughton, Ormskirk. Set in the Lancashire countryside it is a beautiful wedding venue whether you’re having a winter or summer wedding.
The main house is well maintained as are the coach house and other rooms available. The staff are very helpful and the food is delicious.
West Tower Wedding Photography
You are not short of options when it comes to wedding photography at West Tower. The elegant bridal suite is perfect for those last few prep shots and the lodges have large windows boasting views. These large windows let in lots of natural light which is perfect for documentary wedding photography.
Naomi and Dan’s West Tower Wedding
Naomi and Dan had booked me for their wedding photography back in 2020 but in the end, we had to postpone to January 2022.
We had the usual ups and downs of a postponement. My policy of not charging any extra and working with the couple to find a new date helped keep some of the stress out of the situation. Naomi’s phenomenal organisation skill certainly helped too.
Bridal Prep in The Stables
I’ve gotta start by saying this is a lot better than it sounds. No hay, no manure but a disappointing lack of horses.
These are thoroughly modern converted stables and they are perfect for the bridal party to get ready in.
I arrived nice and early so that I could get a few drone shots of the West Tower wedding venue. As I was doing this Naomi spotted me so I finished up and headed in.
Naomi was having her hair done while one of her sisters finished up getting her makeup done and her other sister was entertaining her children.
These lovely little girls were to be flower girls for Naomi rather than having bridesmaids.
It wasn’t long before Kim, the wedding coordinator arrived and she took me up to the bridal suite for the final prep shots. The bridal suite is a beautiful room with a neutral décor perfect for any wedding style.
Prep in West Tower’s Bridal Suite
Kim arranged Naomi’s dress beautifully so I photographed it where it was. I didn’t move it so that the bride could see it. Once she had I was able to move the wedding dress around for a few more shots.
I stepped out briefly so Naomi could get her dress on then photographed her mother finishing fastening it. She then attached the veil and the make-up artist applied a few last touches then Naomi was ready to get married.
Bridal Reveal at West Tower
David (Naomi’s dad) was waiting eagerly to see his daughter all ready to be married. He came in and was initially quite quiet but that was just him taking a moment to gather himself.
Naomi looked beautiful and he was clearly emotional. It was a lovely moment.
I took a few more photos then we were ready for the ceremony.
West Tower Civil Ceremony
Dan and Naomi had decided on a civil ceremony at West Tower. I went into the ceremony room to get some photos of the groom and guests then Kim called me out to get some shots of the bride coming down the stairs.
Back in the ceremony room, I took my place at the end of the aisle and waited for the wedding day to truly begin.
The flower girls entered first and once at the end of the aisle the bride made her entrance with her father.
The ceremony went smoothly with no fluffed lines and more than a few happy tears. It was magical for them to have their ceremony amidst friends and family at this exclusive wedding venue.
Once all was concluded the bride and groom proceeded down the aisle together and up the stairs where there were drinks awaiting them.
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West Tower Group Photography
We then encouraged everyone to the outside space at the front of West Tower for the group photos. Again, I was able to use my drone, this time for the whole group shot. Then it was smaller groupings before the wedding party retired to the Cellar Bar.
Couple Portraits At West Tower Country House
The staff had been handing out canapes to anyone not in the shots and I managed to grab a few. The West Tower food is amazing!
Then it was time for the portraits. One of my favourite parts of the wedding day.
I got a few shots of them outside the front of the venue then we went exploring. First was the perfectly positioned pathway opposite the Coach House, then we went to the landscaped garden and idyllic wooden pagoda.
I believe the pagoda is where West Tower would hold an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Some of the groomsmen met us as we left the wedding pagoda. They were total gents and held Naomi’s wedding dress as we crossed the grass.
Then it was a few more portraits before heading back inside.
Interlude/Wedding Reception
People were spread between the downstairs bar and the Leather Room and the bride and groom spent their time circulating and chatting. A West Tower wedding has plenty of spaces for your guests to relax.
West Tower Wedding Breakfast
The bride and groom had decided to have their wedding speeches before the wedding breakfast. They waited in the Leather Room while their guests were seated and I got a few more shots of them.
Then Naomi and Dan were announced into West Tower’s dining room and they joined the wedding party.
David started things off with a lovely speech then Dan took his turn for a short speech thanking everyone. Finally, their best man, Ant gave his speech. He had been nervous about this but did a great job and got everyone laughing and smiling.
My Break and West Tower Meal
I retired to the Leather Room and West Tower brought me a delicious meal.
We’d arranged for this to happen slightly earlier than normal so that I would be able to grab the bride and groom for some sunset portraits if the weather permitted.
Unfortunately, although West Tower wedding photography is great for sunsets, we were not blessed with the right conditions or great light. Shame as the Lancashire Countryside is beautiful. I did take the bride and groom out for some shots later though which they have seen and Naomi let me know she loves her beautiful photos.
Second Interlude
West Tower needed to turn the room around ready for the evening wedding reception so the wedding guests once again took to the Cellar Bar and Leather Room.
This gave me some time to get my 50mm film lens out for a bit and take some different shots.
Nightime Confetti Shot
Originally the bride and groom were not going to do a confetti shot but in the end, were persuaded to by Naomi’s mum.
By this time it was dark so I got my lighting out of the car and set up. Most wedding photographers love a challenge but this was a fairly easy one.
It was fun and different to get the guests all set up on the steps outside for the confetti. The venue was kind enough to supply some confetti (thanks Kim!).
Afterwards, some of the guests wanted some couple shots so I obliged them and then shooed them off so that I could take the nighttime portraits I mentioned earlier.
Evening Wedding Reception at West Tower
Photography done, we headed into West Tower for the evening reception.
The bride and groom once again circulated amongst their guests, chatting drinking and having fun.
Around 7pm more guests arrived at the wedding venue. There were plenty of shots being downed and the dancing started.
Cake Cutting
The DJ got everyone around the dance floor ready for cutting the cake. Steve is a regular at this exclusive venue and really engages the guests.
With them all ready, he called in the bride and groom and they came in to applause from their family and friends.
The cake was cut and it was time for their dance.
The First Dance
The bride and groom took to the dance floor and had an intimate few minutes alone on the floor. They were then joined first by the father of the bride who danced with his daughter, and then by the mother of the groom who danced with her son.
It was great to see both bride and groom dance with their parents. Then all their friends joined them on the floor, and there was lots of partying.
Later on, the venue provided some evening snacks, which, unsurprisingly, were once again delicious.
Visit my West Tower page
If you’re looking for your West Tower Wedding Photographer please do get in touch.
Check out my packages, portfolio and contact me.
Venue: West Tower
Hair: Victoria Louise
Makeup: Gemma Marie
Weddings currently start at £4750
Yes, West Tower also offers outdoor ceremonies.
Yes, West Tower has an in-house wedding coordinator.
The dining capacity is 145 with a reception capacity of 250. There are 28 bedrooms that can sleep 65 guests.
As long as it is natural petals, confetti is allowed on the grounds.
To see more of my weddings at venues in this area, head over to my Lancashire wedding photography page or choose from the following posts:
Summer Wedding at Brockholes Nature Reserve
