West Tower, Romantic Country House Wedding Venue in Lancashire.
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Everything you should know about West Tower Wedding Photography.
The West Tower is one of the most popular venues among clients of mine and has earned me a spot on the venue’s preference list, you can bet I’ve come to know it intimately over the years! A family home built in 1885 overlooking the Lancashire countryside, it’s a fabulous venue for bringing family and friends together for one of life’s most joyful occasions. Boasting a bridal suite, accommodation and lots of outdoor space, you’ll have the run of the venue for the entirety of your wedding day, while friendly and professional staff are on hand to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Read on to learn everything you need to know about my West Tower wedding photography.
While the bridal suite is situated in the West Tower itself, the bridal party are alternatively invited to prepare at the stunning new Cristal Suite. Located within the converted stables overlooking landscaped gardens, it’s equipped with everything you need for relaxed and stress-free bridal preparations. First, whip up something tasty in the fully equipped kitchen, before settling down for a catchup over a glass of fizz. Space is flooded with natural light, making it perfect for hair and makeup, while multiple beauty bars ensure there’s no fighting over electrical sockets and mirrors!
A memorable wedding day at the West Tower
The festivities themselves will revolve around the ballroom, but if you’ve been blessed with summer sunshine, the ceremony can take place beneath the pagoda and surround it with landscaped gardens.
Following the nuptials, guests are free to mingle over drinks and canapés on the terrace, while a flat lawn allows for garden games to keep younger (and older!) guests entertained. However, we all know how temperamental the English weather can be, so a last-minute downfall will always be taken into account by West Tower staff – for this,the Cellar Bar is the perfect spot to kick off the celebrations.
As you relax among friends, West Tower staff will expertly transform the ballroom to accommodate the wedding breakfast, speeches and cutting of the cake. I’ll also use this time to photograph the family on West Tower grounds, before moving on to capture some tender moments between the newlyweds as they take a 10-15 minute walk along a lane behind the venue.
Once everyone’s stuffed and we’ve inevitably been treated to a giggle at the groom’s bygone escapades, guests will move on to the luxurious Leather Lounge as West Tower staff once more work their magic, converting the space into a dance floor while house DJ Steve sets up his gear in preparation for the first dance.
One of the most important considerations when selecting a wedding venue—particularly within the UK—is versatility, and that’s something the West Tower offers in abundance.
As a wedding photographer, I’m always considering how I can add interest to my images. If the weather holds out, the venue grounds offer plenty of charming features like the wishing well and intricate staircase which leads up to the venue. Flowers are unbeatable for adding a pop of colour to a shot and the West Tower’s bluebells are particularly lovely, creating the effect of a floral carpet for the couple to pose upon.
Regardless of the highlights of a spring or summer wedding, it’s still worth opening our minds to the possibilities offered by the West Tower as a year-round Lancashire wedding venue.
Documentarywedding photography at the West Tower.
Autumn is arguably the most exciting season for me as a documentary wedding photographer because what the grounds lack in flowers, they make up for in foliage. Passionate red and orange hues add drama to images, and with 10 acres of land to explore, there’s no shortage of backdrops with which to create a unique photo album you’ll treasure forever.
Another autumn highlight, meanwhile, is the dark and moody clouds which lend photos an extra complexity. Don’t worry, though: the ballroom is decked out with skylights and floor to ceiling windows to ensure I’m able to capture every bit of emotion on your faces.
Finally, I must mention the extraordinary sunset views at the West Tower. Known as the golden hour among photographers, this romantic lighting is ideal for producing gorgeous silhouettes as we take some final newlywed shots ahead of the first dance. It’s also a great opportunity to take a breather from the activity and pause to reconnect with your partner – because this is your day, after all.
If you’re going all-in on the autumn theme and wish to finish your night off with a bang, the West Tower can also accommodate a firework display, which is sure to delight guests and be a highlight of your West Tower wedding photography.
While the venue is beautifully illuminated throughout the year, in winter the fairytale look is elevated with twinkling lights, while the interior Christmas decorations are guaranteed to give everyone that festive feeling. Meanwhile, the cosy Leather Lounge really comes into its own during chilly weather – so take a break from the dance floor, grab a stiff drink and kick back before a roaring fire.
Accommodation at the West Tower.
Once it’s time to hang up your dancing shoes, you won’t have far to go: the bridal suite is located in the main house with views across the gardens, while wedding guests can book rooms at the coach house, stables and cottages as well as the main house. They’re sure to thank you for choosing a venue with such an abundance of accommodation!