Bride and groom FAQs
What happens now?
Now that you’ve booked your dream day at West Tower, we’ll introduce you to your dedicated wedding co-ordinator, Maria or Sarah. They’ll be in touch to say hello and start the exciting journey towards your wedding day.
Your co-ordinator will be your main point of contact from now until your big day, on hand to answer questions and offer advice. She’ll send you your own West Tower folder, filled with helpful documents, ideas and plans so you can keep everything in one place. From there you can plan at your own pace, and we’ll keep in touch and remind you of anything we need along the way.
Can we come along to the open events?
Yes. We usually host open events on the first Tuesday of every month, as well as occasional Sunday showcases throughout the year, and you’re welcome to come along to as many as you like. Bring family and friends, enjoy a glass of fizz, ask questions, meet some fabulous suppliers and get excited about your big day.
Dates and times can sometimes change, for example if we already have a wedding booked on the first Tuesday of the month, so please check our website or social media for the latest open event information. If you’d like another look around outside of these events, just book online or contact your co-ordinator to make an appointment.
When do I pay?
Your first payment is a £2,000 non-refundable deposit which secures your date.
After that, your payment schedule is set out in your individual contract and may include one or more interim payments, depending on your booking.
Your final balance is due 6 weeks before your wedding day. If you’re ever unsure about what’s due when, just refer to your contract or get in touch with your co-ordinator and they’ll talk it through with you.
When will my menu tasting be?
Typically, your tasting will be around 6 months before your day. We only arrange menu tasting events a few times a year, fitting them around our busy calendar of weddings, so it’s hard to give exact dates until closer to the time. If you’ve booked a classic package we’ll be in touch as soon as it’s time to invite you in.
Can I bring my family and friends to the menu tasting?
You’re welcome to bring up to 4 guests with you, which means you can try 6 starters, 6 mains and 6 desserts between you. The menu tasting is included with our compliments for the bridal couple, and any additional guests are charged at 50% of your contracted adult guest price per person.
Who sets everything up for our wedding?
Whoever is providing your flowers or venue dressing will arrive on the morning of your wedding to start setting up. We’re happy to lay out your place cards, favours and guest welcome table items for you.
If you’re providing your own décor, you can drop this off in advance with clear instructions and our team will take care of it on the day.
When do we drop off our things to West Tower?
We’ll invite you in for your final meeting a day or two before your wedding. This is when you’ll meet the events manager who will be running your day, go over everything in detail one last time and drop off all your wedding items.
Bring your table plan, favours, place cards and anything else you’d like us to set out. We’ll go through everything with you and confirm where it should be on the day.
What if our numbers change after booking?
Not a problem. We understand plans can change. Your contract is always based on minimum expected numbers, giving you flexibility to add to your package closer to the day. We only ask you to confirm your guest numbers at your final planning meeting, 6 weeks before your wedding.
Who packs everything away at the end of the night?
Our nights team will move all your décor, gifts and personal belongings into the Leather Lounge for easy collection the next morning. Any suppliers are asked to collect their own items before 11am too.
Will you remind us of what to do when?
Of course. Your wedding co-ordinator will stay in touch, check in on your plans and offer support. We’ll let you know when any payments are due and arrange your planning meetings.
Who will be our master of ceremonies on the day?
Our events managers act as master of ceremonies on your day. They’ll be here to greet you on arrival and will stay with you through to your evening celebrations. Along with the rest of our team they’ll expertly look after you and your guests.
How do guests book bedrooms?
As the house is yours for the day, you choose who stays and in which room. We’ll send you a bedroom allocation list to complete and return to your co-ordinator. Once we have this, your guests are welcome to call or book online to confirm and pay for their bedrooms. We ask guests to pre-pay for their rooms no later than 8 weeks before arrival.
Guest FAQs
Can I book a bedroom?
Bedrooms are usually allocated on your behalf by the bridal couple, so please speak to them first if you’d like a room. Once they’ve allocated a bedroom to you, you’ll need to call us no later than 8 weeks before arrival to make payment and confirm your stay.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, all bedroom rates include a full English and continental breakfast the following morning. Breakfast is served from 9–10am in the Cellar Bar.
What time can we check in?
Check in is usually from 3pm. Early check in may be available if arranged through the bridal couple.
What time is check out?
Check out is at 10.30am, after breakfast.
Can we request an extra bed or cot in our bedroom?
Yes. Please speak to the bridal couple to make this request. All children under 16 are complimentary and any additional adults are charged at £25 per person.
Is there an iron in the bedroom?
Yes. All bedrooms have an iron and ironing board.
Is there wheelchair access?
All guest areas at West Tower are accessible for wheelchair users. There is a ramp leading downstairs to the Cellar Bar and lower outdoor terrace, and access to the Ballroom via the Leather Lounge. We have 16 ground floor bedrooms, including a fully accessible room right outside the main house. West Tower does not have any lifts on site.
Do you accept card payments?
Our bars and reception accept Visa, Mastercard and cash payments. We do not currently accept American Express.
Can staff order us a taxi?
At reception we have a freephone, priority line with Delta Taxis for guests to use. If this isn’t suitable, we’re happy to help with alternative bookings.
Is there car parking available?
Yes, we have a large car park on site and parking is free for all guests. If non-residents are leaving cars overnight, we ask that they leave contact details with reception.
General FAQs
Can we come and visit West Tower?
Absolutely. We can arrange private appointments midweek, in the evenings or at weekends by prior arrangement and show you everything West Tower has to offer. We also usually host open events on the first Tuesday of every month, plus occasional Sunday showcases throughout the year. Dates and times can sometimes change, so check our social media and website for the latest open event information and upcoming dates.
How do we book?
Once you’ve decided that West Tower is your dream venue, simply contact a member of our team to book your chosen date. You can hold a date with us, with no obligation, for 7 days before confirming.
How much is the deposit?
We require a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 for all bookings.
Can I get married at West Tower?
Yes. We can host civil ceremonies throughout the year in our Ballroom or outside in the garden pagoda.
Our ceremony room hire does not include registrar fees, so you’ll need to book the registrar directly through Preston Registry Office on 0300 123 6705.
Can I get married outside at West Tower?
Yes. You can choose to marry outside in our garden pagoda, subject to the weather and registrar approval.
What if I want a church wedding?
Not a problem. You can still choose to get ready at West Tower if you like, either in the Bridal Suite (if available) or in our Cristal Suite. Many couples prefer to travel from home, and either option is fine. Whatever you decide, our team will have everything ready for you when you return to West Tower as newlyweds.
Can we get ready at West Tower?
Our Dom Perignon Bridal Suite is available from 12pm. The Cristal Suite can be added to any wedding package and gives you early access at an agreed time, fizz on arrival, comfortable sofas, full kitchen facilities, plenty of dressing space and mirrors, and lots of natural light.
Can we stay the night before?
Yes. You can stay the night before in our Cristal pre-night bedrooms, which sleep up to 6 guests from your bridal party.
As we’re an exclusive-use venue, a full pre-night stay for all your guests is only possible if we don’t have a wedding the day before yours. If the date is free, we can look at offering all 28 bedrooms the night before your wedding, but we won’t be able to confirm this until around 2 months before your day. If a full pre-night isn’t available, we can still recommend plenty of nearby places for any additional guests to stay.
What is the payment schedule?
Your first payment is a £2,000 non-refundable deposit which secures your date.
After that, your payment schedule is set out in your individual contract and may include one or more interim payments, depending on your booking.
Your final balance is due 6 weeks before your wedding day. If you’re ever unsure about what’s due when, just refer to your contract or get in touch with your co-ordinator and they’ll talk it through with you.
Do you have accommodation on site?
Yes. We have 27 guest rooms across the Main House, Cottages, Coach House and Stables, plus our Dom Perignon Bridal Suite, which is included in all our packages for the bridal couple. We have family rooms, a disabled access room, and extra beds and cots that can be added where needed.
You allocate the rooms, so you can choose who stays. We can also take bookings direct if you prefer. All rooms must be prepaid 8 weeks before your day.
Do we need wedding insurance?
We strongly recommend that once you’ve booked your wedding venue, you arrange wedding insurance to protect you against unforeseen circumstances.
How many weddings take place at once?
As an exclusive wedding venue, we host only one wedding per day. The house is yours to fill with family and friends. We don’t have other facilities on site such as a spa, gym or restaurant, so there won’t be golfers, members of the public or other brides around on your big day.
How many guests can we invite?
For your day, we can host up to 145 guests for your ceremony and seated wedding breakfast, and up to 200 guests for your evening celebrations.
Can we provide our own catering and drinks?
We have an in-house team who provide all food and drink for your day, taking away the need to deal with external caterers. Everything from your canapés to your evening buffet is prepared on site, on the day of your wedding, and we’re very happy to accommodate dietary needs.
Do you provide the music for the ceremony?
If you provide your music, we’re happy to play it for your ceremony, whether in the Ballroom or outside in the pagoda. You’re also welcome to have live music such as a pianist or string quartet.
Do you provide the music for the rest of the day?
We have our own Spotify account and can provide background music for you throughout the day. You’re also welcome to bring your own playlist if you prefer. Any device with an aux input or Bluetooth will work with our PA systems.
What time does the music stop and bar close?
For parties of up to 100 guests, the bar and music run until midnight (with the option to extend). For 100 or more evening guests, the finish time is 1am.
Are fireworks allowed?
Yes. We have a recommended supplier who provides low-noise fireworks, and we ask that all displays are booked through them. Please ask us for details.
Do we have to use your recommended suppliers?
Our preferred partners list includes suppliers we work with regularly. They know the venue well, are reliable and, frankly, we think they’re fabulous. There are no restrictions though – you’re welcome to use your own suppliers on the day.
Can we have a band?
Absolutely. If you’re not also booking a DJ, make sure your band can provide music before, between and after their live sets.
The bigger the band, the more dancefloor space they’ll need. As a guide, we recommend no more than a 5-piece band.
Is there any decoration included?
Typically, our packages don’t include entertainment or larger décor items, as most couples enjoy choosing these themselves. We do include some helpful extras such as a post box for cards, an easel for your table plan, table numbers, a cake stand and knife, and ivory linen for your tables.
Is there wheelchair access?
All general areas at West Tower are accessible for wheelchair users. There is a ramp leading to the Cellar Bar and lower outdoor terrace, and access to the Ballroom via the Leather Lounge. We have 16 ground floor bedrooms, including a fully accessible room near the Main House.
Supplier FAQs – general
What time can we get access from on the day?
The Ballroom is usually available from 9am. Please double check with us or the couple directly. Public areas are available from 10.30am to respect the previous day’s couple and their guests.
Where can we park?
You can park directly outside the front door of the Main House while you unload. Once you’ve finished, please move your vehicles to the main car park and avoid blocking access to other buildings.
What food is available for us?
This is something to arrange with the couple in advance. We don’t have an onsite café, bar or restaurant, and only prepare food that has been pre-ordered by the couple.
Photographers, videographers and musicians who are on site all day are often provided with a hot meal by the couple, served while guests are enjoying their wedding breakfast. Bands and DJs in the evening are usually invited to eat from the evening food. Please confirm arrangements with the couple and let them know about any dietary requirements.
Do we have to provide our public liability certificate?
Yes. We must receive a copy of your public liability insurance before the wedding day.
Can we store things at West Tower overnight?
Unfortunately we can’t store items overnight. As a busy wedding venue with events most days of the week, we’d hate for anything to go missing or be picked up by mistake. West Tower cannot take responsibility for any items left on site.
Wedding cake FAQs
Can you store my wedding cake?
We cannot store wedding cakes in our fridges overnight as this would break our health and hygiene regulations. All wedding cakes must be delivered on the day of the wedding. If you are also providing a cake stand, this needs to be collected by 10am the following morning, or you can arrange with the couple for them to return it to you.
Florists and venue dressers FAQs
What time can we begin dressing the venue?
The Ballroom is accessible from 9am on the morning of the wedding.
All other areas are available from 10.30am once the previous day’s guests have checked out. Please avoid placing items elsewhere in the venue before 10.30am so they are not mixed up with another wedding’s décor.
What time do we need to collect our items?
You can return the same day if you wish (please check with us if the wedding has a midnight or 1am finish).
Larger items in the Ballroom, such as light-up letters or floral arches, must be removed by 9am the following morning so the next wedding’s venue dresser can begin setting up.
Smaller items such as vases and candelabra will be moved by our nights team into the Leather Lounge for collection the following morning. All items must be collected and off site by 10am.
Any items left beyond this time will be placed outside the venue. We don’t have space to store them and, with multiple weddings each week, we can’t keep track of which items belong to which supplier.
Do you allow candles or tealights?
Yes, as long as they are in suitable holders. Some couples request floating candles down the aisle. We do allow this, but we don’t recommend it, as water, carpet, glass, flames and lots of guests finding their seats don’t always mix well. For aisle décor we suggest artificial candles and no water. If you are providing real candles, please leave spares for the evening reception.
Where can we get water from?
Water is available from behind the bar in the Ballroom. For outdoor ceremonies there is an outdoor tap behind the Cottages – please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.
Spillages should be cleaned immediately. Ask a member of staff for wet floor signs and cleaning equipment.
Will you move flower arrangements from the ceremony area to the meal area after the ceremony?
We’re happy to move small arrangements for you, for example from the ceremony table to the top table. Larger arrangements, backdrops and additional décor will need to be moved by you.
Do you have any ladders we can use?
For health and safety reasons we can’t provide ladders. Please bring your own if you need them.
Can we set up overnight or the day before?
We’re not able to offer set up overnight or the day before, as we’re often hosting another wedding. Please speak to us if you have any specific questions about timings.
Does West Tower have any items that florists or venue dressers can use?
We provide a few extras that couples can pre-arrange with us, including a post box, easels for table plans, table numbers, cake stand and knife, and ivory linen.
General venue dresser information
Please do not use staples, screws, nails, glue or tape on any woodwork or walls, including the outside buildings. Please use cable ties, wire, ribbon or string. Hooks are provided in the pagoda and along the porch at the front of the Main House if you’d like to hang fairy lights.
We kindly ask you to clear up after yourselves and leave all areas as you find them. If you’re creating large floral displays on site, please sweep up afterwards or cover the floor. Ask a member of staff if you have rubbish to dispose of, or take unwanted items away with you.
All items must be collected before 10am the following morning. We don’t have storage space, so anything left beyond this time may be placed outside the venue.
If you need measurements for any area within the venue, please call us for details.
DJs, musicians and bands FAQs
Do you require a PAT certificate and insurance?
We require a PAT test certificate and public liability insurance from all DJs, bands and musicians before the wedding day.
When can we set up?
Set up times depend on the timings of the wedding day. Please liaise with the couple. Our co-ordinators usually hold planning meetings around 3 months before the wedding, when all timings will be confirmed.
After the wedding breakfast, guests go downstairs to the Cellar Bar for around an hour. This is usually when evening entertainment sets up and sound checks in the Ballroom. There are several power sockets around the room. Please bring your own extension leads and cable covers, as we don’t provide these on site. By law, there must be no trailing cables on the floor without appropriate covers, and tape cannot be used on any of our floors.
Do you have restricted noise levels?
We don’t have sound limiters. After 10pm, doors to the Ballroom should be closed so the music is contained. Please check with us or the couple for event finish times, as these can vary.
How long do we have to set up?
Usually around an hour.
How much space is allocated?
You’ll have a maximum of 15ft x 5ft, although most acts use around 8ft x 5ft. The more equipment you bring, the less space there is for the dancefloor.
Can we play live music outside on the terrace area?
Yes. The terrace and lawn are ideal for live music during pre- or post-ceremony drinks, or while we turn around the Ballroom for the evening reception. Any outdoor live music must finish by 10pm to comply with our licences.
We don’t have many outdoor power sockets, so you’ll need to bring extension leads and cable covers.
Where can we park?
You may park outside the front door to unload your equipment. Once you’ve finished, please move your vehicle to the main car park and avoid blocking access to other buildings.
Where can we get changed or take a break?
You may be able to use the Leather Lounge to get changed or take a break, as long as it’s not in use by the couple or their guests. This is not a secure area, so items are left at your own risk. We recommend returning flight cases and valuables to your vehicle.
Are confetti cannons allowed?
We do not allow confetti cannons, smoke machines or indoor fireworks of any kind.
Cars and transport FAQs
Can we get a double decker bus or coach along Mill Lane and down the driveway?
Yes, a bus or coach can travel along Mill Lane and down the driveway. If you haven’t visited West Tower before, we recommend arranging a visit with our team (on a day without a wedding) so your driver can see the route.
Fireworks FAQs
Can we use fireworks?
Indoor fireworks are not permitted.
Outdoor displays can only be booked by the couple using our approved supplier. If we are not aware of a display, or it has not been booked with our approved supplier, it will not be allowed to go ahead.
Additional extras FAQs
Do you offer additional extras?
Photobooths, chocolate fountains, bouncy castles, fireworks, singing waiters, sweet carts, light up letters, bucking broncos, mini golf, arcade machines – if you can think of it, the chances are we’ve seen it. If you need any information about items being brought to West Tower, please just give us a call.
For any additional items brought on site, the following applies:
- No tape or sticky pads on any floors or walls
- Do not drag items across the floor – everything should be carried or brought in on trolleys (provided by you). This includes our tables and chairs – please ask if you need them moving
- Dancefloors and staging must be placed on protective matting (provided by you)
- Heavy items such as floral arches, photo walls and external tables or stands must be weighed down using their own bases or protective matting, not taped to the floor
Speakers and similar items must be on stands with cushioned bases or feet
We are a busy venue and all items must be collected before 10am the following morning. We don’t have storage space, so anything left longer may be placed outside the venue.
If you need dimensions for any area, please get in touch.
West Tower team members FAQs
Who are the wedding co-ordinators?
Your pre-wedding contacts will be Maria Broderick and Sarah Dowling, who look after weddings from the initial booking through to the day before, when they hand over to our events managers.
Who are the event managers?
On the day of your wedding, your event will be managed by one of our events managers – Kim Halliday, Charlotte Foster or James Butler.
Still wondering
about West Tower?
Every couple’s plans are unique, and sometimes the little details don’t fit neatly into an FAQ. If there’s something we haven’t covered, our team will be more than happy to help.
Contact the team
