Emily and Reece’s Summer Outdoor Ceremony at West Tower

October 12, 2026 In blog West Tower

Emily and Reece got married at West Tower in Aughton, Ormskirk, on a hot Friday in August, and the weather held from start to finish. Their wish list was short: sunshine, an outdoor ceremony, and Bill and the Preachers for the evening. They got all three, plus a starring role for Bertie the whippet.

When I asked Emily about their theme, the answer was simple: English countryside and summer. Clean, natural, nothing over the top. For a West Tower outdoor ceremony on a day like this, that was all it needed.

Front of West Tower in Ormskirk, a stone Victorian house with an ivy-covered crenellated tower, under a clear blue summer sky

Choosing West Tower

Emily and Reece visited a handful of venues they’d spotted on social media, but West Tower was the one. In Reece’s words, none of the others had “that special feeling we felt when we walked into West Tower”. They booked it there and then.

We first met at Knowsley Hall, where they’d been meeting photographers at different venues. They went with me for the natural style and, as Reece put it, my “chilled persona”. I’ll take that.

Morning preparations in the Cristal Suite and The Lodge

I started the day in the Cristal Suite with Emily and her bridesmaids, all in matching pyjamas, while So Coco Rouge took care of hair and make-up. Across the grounds, Reece and the boys were in The Lodge, mostly chilling and playing Mario Kart. Having both rooms on site meant I could go back and forth and cover both sides of the morning without anyone missing out.

Bridal party in matching blue pyjamas chatting in the Cristal Suite at West Tower, two of them sitting on the back of a velvet sofa with glasses of fizz
Black and white photo of a bridesmaid holding up a necklace while two others laugh and clap during preparations at West Tower
Groom Reece and his groomsmen relaxing on a teal sofa in The Lodge at West Tower, playing Mario Kart on the TV during the morning preparations
Black and white photo framed through an ornate mirror of a bridesmaid with curled, pinned-up hair sitting at a table in the Cristal Suite
Make-up artist in a leopard print outfit applying the bride's make-up, seen past an ornate silver mirror in the Cristal Suite at West Tower
Bride Emily having her make-up done in the Cristal Suite at West Tower, with the scene reflected in a large ornate silver mirror
Bridesmaid in striped pyjamas checking her make-up in a hand mirror while a make-up artist looks on, with the bride having her make-up done in the background
Groom Reece fastening his shirt cuff in The Lodge at West Tower, wearing glasses and a black waistcoat
The groom and two groomsmen fastening cufflinks and braces in The Lodge at West Tower, with its wooden beamed roof and garden views
The groom smiling as he adjusts his shirt collar during preparations in The Lodge at West Tower
Groomsman fixing groom Reece's bow tie in The Lodge at West Tower, seen through the doorway

Getting ready in the Dom Pérignon Bridal Suite

As guests started arriving and found some shade (or a pint) on the patio, Emily moved to the Dom Pérignon Bridal Suite, with its four-poster bed and original fireplace, to put on her dress from Brides by Natalie. It was a strapless gown with lace detail on the bodice, a lace-up back and a full skirt, finished with a pearl necklace. Her bridesmaids were in lilac, and Reece, by now suited up in Groom Formal, headed out to the lawn.

Wedding guest in a striped shirt laughing with a pint in hand on the sunny patio at West Tower before the ceremony
Three ushers in navy suits and pink ties on the lawn at West Tower, one folding a pocket square with his teeth, with the outdoor ceremony chairs and countryside view behind
Guest in a pale yellow dress and pink fascinator laughing with friends at a table under the West Tower sign before the ceremony
Bride Emily in her strapless wedding dress having her veil fitted in the Dom Pérignon Bridal Suite at West Tower, with her bridesmaids in lilac dresses looking on
Mother of the bride in a gold dress, matching hat and pearls laughing with a bridesmaid in lilac, gin in hand, in the Dom Pérignon Bridal Suite at West Tower

An outdoor ceremony at West Tower

The outdoor ceremony was top of their list, and the forecast delivered. A string quartet played as guests took their seats on the lawn, beside a gazebo styled by Alexander Wedding Co with flowers from Artas Flowers Liverpool. Emily walked down the aisle with her dad, and Bertie brought the rings down, bow tie and all, which was one of the things they’d been most keen on from the start.

The only uninvited guests were a few wasps, which everyone managed to dodge.

Outdoor ceremony set-up at West Tower, with rows of white chairs on the lawn beside a white gazebo dressed with flowers, under a clear blue sky with countryside views
Groom Reece waiting by the flower-covered gazebo for the outdoor ceremony at West Tower, with his mum in a coral dress resting a hand on his shoulder
Bride Emily walking down the stone steps of West Tower on her dad's arm, carrying a pink and peach bouquet, past white floral displays
Black and white photo of the father of the bride reaching out to shake the groom's hand as he hands over Emily at the top of the aisle
The bride and groom holding hands at their outdoor ceremony at West Tower, Emily smiling at Reece as the registrar reads from the ceremony book
Black and white photo framed through the floral arch, showing the registrar, Reece, Emily and a bridesmaid, with guests seated behind them
Reece and Emily holding hands in front of the registrar at their outdoor ceremony at West Tower, with the best man smiling beside the floral arch and countryside behind the guests
View down the aisle at the outdoor ceremony at West Tower, guests seated either side of white lanterns as the bride and groom hold hands under the flower-covered gazebo
Bertie the whippet walking down the aisle at the outdoor ceremony at West Tower, wearing a bow tie and a small pouch on his collar, as guests smile
Black and white photo of groom Reece placing the ring on bride Emily's finger under the floral arch
Bride and groom standing hand in hand in front of the registrar, framed by white flowers, with West Tower and the guests behind them
Emily and Reece embracing at the end of their outdoor ceremony at West Tower as guests, including the mother of the bride and a grandma, applaud
Bertie the whippet in his bow tie lying on the lawn at West Tower, on his lead with the dog sitter, with a bridesmaid's bouquet in the foreground
Bride Emily and groom Reece walking back down the aisle from the flower-covered gazebo at West Tower as guests, including a grandma, throw confetti

Drinks reception and portraits with Bertie

The string quartet carried on through the drinks reception while guests made the most of the sunshine on the terrace. Emily had made biscuit favours with their names on, a small personal touch that fitted the relaxed feel of the day.

For their couple portraits, we kept things short and took Bertie along. A quick walk around the grounds, no big production, and Bertie made sure he stayed in the thick of it.

Guest laughing with a glass of fizz during the drinks reception on the terrace at West Tower
Guest in a colourful beaded headband hugging bride Emily after the outdoor ceremony at West Tower
Two guests in long pink and aqua dresses on the edge of the lawn at West Tower, taking photos with the Lancashire countryside behind them
Usher in a pink tie and pocket square laughing with a guest in a blue embroidered dress, phone in hand, by the steps at West Tower
Black and white photo of Emily and Reece walking Bertie the whippet across the driveway in front of West Tower's ivy-covered tower
Groom Reece walking Bertie the whippet on his lead while holding bride Emily's hand under the trees outside West Tower
Bertie the whippet jumping up at Reece in his bow tie as Emily laughs, during their couple portraits at West Tower
Bride and groom walking hand in hand along a sunny lane outside West Tower, with a stone wall and hedges either side
Emily and Reece walking hand in hand and smiling at each other in dappled shade at West Tower, Emily holding her bouquet low
Bride Emily walking away along a garden path at West Tower, her full skirt, lace-up back and veil catching the summer light

Wedding breakfast and speeches

Emily and Reece loved the layout and design of the room, with a white and blush floral arch behind the top table, gold candelabras and tall floral centrepieces. The food went down well too.

Speeches came from the father of the bride, Reece and the best man. The best man read his from his phone, and Reece’s face says the rest. When I asked what their guests enjoyed most, Reece’s first answer was “Free bar! Haha.” Fair enough.

Wedding breakfast room at West Tower set for Emily and Reece, with round tables, ivory linen, crystal chandeliers, gold candelabras and tall white floral centrepieces
Top table in the wedding breakfast room at West Tower, framed by a white and blush floral arch, with pink roses in bud vases and gold candlesticks
Close-up of a blush pink rose in a vintage glass bud vase beside floating candles on the top table at West Tower
Table centrepiece with a gold candelabra, white roses and greenery, with a frosted table number and tall floral display in the wedding breakfast room at West Tower
Bride Emily hugging a laughing guest from behind at her table during the wedding breakfast at West Tower
Two bridesmaids in lilac laughing and holding hands at their table, with the father of the bride behind them
Bride Emily cuddling a grandma in a lilac fascinator during the wedding breakfast at West Tower, as Reece's mum looks on
Grandma in a lilac fascinator and pearls touching up her pink lipstick at the table, with Reece's mum beside her
Black and white photo of a bridesmaid laughing with the bride and groom at the top table
Father of the bride giving his speech in the wedding breakfast room at West Tower, as the bridesmaids and mother of the bride listen
Father of the bride speaking into the microphone in front of the floral arch, with the mother of the bride beside him
Emily smiling and Reece resting his chin on his hand as they listen to the speeches at the top table
Father of the bride laughing and pointing towards the top table during his speech, with the mother of the bride smiling back
Groom Reece reading his speech in front of the floral arch at West Tower, as Emily laughs beside him
Reece pulling a face as the best man reads his speech from his phone
Guests raising their glasses for a toast during the speeches at West Tower

Evening sun on the lawn

After the speeches, everyone headed back outside. The kids got a game of football going on the lawn, the bridesmaids stretched out on the grass, and the terrace filled up as the light started to turn golden.

Silhouettes of a little girl in a tulle dress and two boys jumping for a football on the lawn at West Tower, with the evening sun low over the Lancashire countryside
Guest in tortoiseshell glasses and a blue tie roaring with laughter on the terrace at West Tower in the evening sun
Little girl in a pink tulle dress and silver sandals climbing the ornate white railings to peek over, on the terrace at West Tower
Two bridesmaids in lilac lounging on the lawn at West Tower and laughing, either side of two guests on white chairs, with the garden shrubs and terrace railings behind them in the evening sun
Guest in glasses holding a bottle of beer and his tie, laughing with friends on the terrace at West Tower in the evening light

No first dance, something better

First came the cake from Elizabeth Harris Cakes: three white tiers with a cascade of sugar flowers in blush, peach, lilac and blue.

Emily and Reece didn’t fancy being in the spotlight for a first dance, so they did something different. Bill and the Preachers, Reece’s big must-have, started playing “Praise You” and invited couples who had been married for 30 years onto the dance floor. Then 20 years, then 10, and so on, until the last couple to join was the one who got married that day. It got everyone involved and filled the floor straight away. Luke Baldwin kept things going on the decks afterwards.

Bride Emily and groom Reece cutting their three-tier white wedding cake, decorated with a cascade of sugar flowers in blush, peach, lilac and blue, at West Tower
Usher in a navy suit, pink tie and colourful buttonhole dancing with a guest in a polka dot dress, under crystal chandeliers at West Tower
Bride Emily smiling as she and groom Reece join their guests on the dance floor at West Tower, with the mother of the bride beside them
Guest in a sparkly pink dress and jewelled headband laughing with her arm in the air during the evening party, in front of a large gilded mirror
Bride Emily laughing with an older guest holding a quilted handbag on the dance floor, with groom Reece behind them
Groom Reece punching the air with a friend on the dance floor at West Tower, as bride Emily smiles beside him
Bride Emily dancing with her arms out on the dance floor at West Tower, as a guest in a pink cardigan claps along and the bridesmaids in lilac join in
Bride Emily dancing with her dad on the dance floor at West Tower, surrounded by guests and bridesmaids in lilac
Two guests pulling faces and making rock hand signs for the camera, drinks in hand, during the evening party at West Tower
Guest in a green satin one-shoulder dress throwing her head back laughing as she's pulled onto the dance floor
Guest in a sparkly pink dress and jewelled headband dancing with her arms flung wide as friends dance around her
Usher in a navy suit and pink tie raising a drink in each hand on the dance floor at West Tower
Guest in a pale yellow satin dress dancing with both arms in the air and her tongue out, in front of a gold candelabra
Usher in a navy suit and pink tie twirling a guest in a pink cardigan and blue floral dress, pint in his other hand
Guest in glasses and a blue shirt dancing with his arms wide and a big smile during the evening party at West Tower
Bridesmaid in lilac tickling a little girl in a floral dress who is lying on the dance floor, surrounded by dancing guests

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A summer sunset at West Tower

If there’s one venue in the North West where I’d back you to get a proper sunset, it’s West Tower. The lawn faces west towards a clear horizon, so the only thing that can spoil it is cloud. Not this time. We nipped out for a few minutes and let the light do the work.

Good weather, an outdoor ceremony, Bertie in the thick of it and a packed dance floor. Thank you both for having me.

Planning your own day here? Have a look at my West Tower wedding photography guide for more on the venue, or get in touch to check your date.

Bride and groom silhouetted holding hands on the lawn at West Tower as the sun sets over the Lancashire countryside

Suppliers

  • Venue: West Tower
  • Hair and make-up: So Coco Rouge (@so_coco_rouge)
  • Dress: Brides by Natalie (@bridesbynatalie)
  • Suit: Groom Formal (@groomformal)
  • Venue styling: Alexander Wedding Co (@alexanderweddingco.ltd)
  • Flowers: Artas Flowers Liverpool (@artasflowersliverpool)
  • Cake: Elizabeth Harris Cakes (@elizabethharriscakes)
  • Band: Bill and the Preachers (@billandthepreachers)
  • DJ: Luke Baldwin (@lukebaldwin3)
  • Content creator: Capture Official (@captureofficial_)
  • Photography: Thomas Demol Photographie