There are some weddings that simply feel special from the moment you arrive — and Charlotte (Char) and Tom’s Valentine’s Day celebration at West Tower was exactly that.
Set in the Lancashire countryside near Ormskirk, West Tower is one of those venues that manages to feel grand yet welcoming at the same time. With its sweeping driveway, elegant white interiors, and that wonderful cellar bar tucked beneath the main house, it offers couples a complete wedding journey under one roof. For musicians, it’s also a pleasure to work in — easy access, generous space, and no restrictive sound limitations. The team are always organised and supportive, and on this occasion, another Charlotte at the venue looked after us beautifully throughout the day. Thank you — it never goes unnoticed.
And of course, most importantly, thank you to Char and Tom for choosing JAM Duo to provide the soundtrack to your day. It was an absolute joy to play for you.
Arrival at West Tower
With guests arriving from midday and the ceremony set for 1pm, we were in place in the ballroom well ahead of time. Access through the main entrance is straightforward, with no stairs to the ceremony room — always helpful when moving piano, cello, and sound equipment. There is free parking on site, which makes the logistical side refreshingly calm.
The ballroom at West Tower is bright, elegant and beautifully proportioned. Soft white walls, high ceilings, and polished wooden floors give it a refined feel without being overwhelming. For Char and Tom’s ceremony, we were positioned at the rear of the room at the top of the stairs, allowing the music to gently fill the space as guests took their seats.
The colour palette of the day was instantly uplifting — pink bridesmaids’ dresses paired with beige suits for the groomsmen. The effect was warm, romantic and perfectly suited to a February wedding that felt far from wintry inside.
Pre-Ceremony Atmosphere
Char and Tom chose a wonderfully eclectic and heartfelt selection for guest arrival:
- You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
- Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
- Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
- Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
As always, we shaped these into gentle, flowing acoustic arrangements for piano and cello, allowing the room to settle gradually as guests arrived. One of the loveliest parts of live music at this point in the day is the way it subtly transforms nervous anticipation into something softer. Conversations quieten. People look around. There’s a shared sense that something meaningful is about to happen.
By the time the registrars were ready, the room felt perfectly poised.
A Beautiful Entrance
Char walked down the aisle to Annie’s Song by John Denver — a timeless choice. We created a version that began intimately on piano before the cello entered, allowing the melody to bloom as she made her way forward.
And what an entrance it was.
Char’s wedding dress was simply stunning. The soft blush-toned floral fabric flowed into an extraordinary train, which swept across the wooden floor with real drama and grace. The long veil added an ethereal softness, catching the light as she moved. It was romantic, distinctive, and utterly elegant — perfectly complementing the pink tones of the bridal party and the overall styling of the room.
Tom’s expression said everything. That moment — when music, movement, and emotion align — is why we love what we do.
Signing the Register
For the signing, Char and Tom chose:
- Sweet Disposition
- Wildest Dreams
- Bitter Sweet Symphony
These pieces allowed us to explore different textures — from atmospheric and reflective to gently cinematic. Live cello particularly suits this part of the ceremony; it carries emotion in a way that recorded music simply can’t replicate in a space like West Tower’s ballroom.
A Joyful Exit
Their exit choice was pure celebration:
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” — starting from ‘I love you baby’ — as upbeat as possible!
And we delivered exactly that.
We began confidently on piano before bringing the cello in rhythmically, building energy as they made their way back down the aisle. Guests clapped, smiles were everywhere, and the Valentine’s Day theme suddenly felt even more fitting.
Drinks, Canapés & The Cellar Bar
After the ceremony, guests moved to enjoy drinks, canapés and photographs. Later in the day, everyone returned to the cellar bar while the ballroom was turned around for the evening — one of West Tower’s many clever features. The cellar bar has a completely different feel: cosy, atmospheric and slightly hidden away, making it ideal for relaxed background music.
Char and Tom’s drinks reception playlist was wonderfully varied:
- Unwritten
- Iris
- Africa
- Mr Brightside
- Love Story
- Lover
- Here Comes the Sun
- Firestone
- and many more
We love when couples give us such a broad spectrum to work with. It means we can move seamlessly between eras and styles while keeping everything cohesive in our own acoustic sound.
There’s something particularly satisfying about transforming songs like Mr Brightside or Africa into elegant instrumental versions. Guests often do a double take — recognising the melody but hearing it anew.
Wedding Breakfast
With speeches before the meal, we provided a gentle musical backdrop as guests settled into the ballroom once more. The tables were beautifully styled, featuring tall white blossom centrepieces that added height and softness without overpowering conversation. Against the pale décor of West Tower, the overall look was fresh and refined.
The wedding breakfast music choices ranged from:
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered
- As It Was
- Better Together
- Snow on the Beach
- Wonderwall
- Yellow
- Married Life (from Up)
- The Only Exception
- Better Man
This is where live music really earns its place. The wedding breakfast can be a long stretch of time, and the right soundtrack keeps the energy buoyant without intruding. We watch the room carefully — adjusting tempo and tone depending on whether guests are deep in conversation or between courses.
Why West Tower Works So Well for Live Music
West Tower is genuinely one of those venues that understands flow. From ceremony to drinks to dinner and evening, everything transitions smoothly.
For musicians, a few practical details make a real difference:
- Easy on-site parking
- Straightforward access for unloading
- Clearly designated performance areas
- No restrictive sound policies
And beyond logistics, it simply has warmth. The team are attentive without being intrusive, and they genuinely care that suppliers feel supported. Thank you again to Charlotte at the venue for ensuring we were looked after throughout the day — it makes such a difference when everyone is working as one team.
A Valentine’s Day to Remember
There was something rather lovely about playing on 14th February. Valentine’s weddings can sometimes lean into cliché, but Char and Tom’s celebration felt personal rather than themed. The pink bridesmaids, the beige tailoring, the blossom trees, the sweeping veil — everything felt thoughtfully chosen rather than imposed.
With around 75 guests, the day had intimacy without feeling small. Conversations flowed easily, laughter carried across the room, and the atmosphere remained relaxed from start to finish.
Thank You
Char and Tom — thank you for trusting us with your music.
Your choices were joyful, heartfelt and wonderfully varied. From Annie’s Song to that exuberant aisle exit, from Taylor Swift to Oasis, from Lana Del Rey to McFly — it was a soundtrack full of personality.
And Char — your dress truly was unforgettable.
We loved being part of your day at West Tower and wish you both a lifetime filled with as much warmth and happiness as your wedding afternoon in Lancashire.
If you’re planning your own wedding at West Tower or anywhere across the UK and would like beautifully performed live cello and piano throughout your ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast, we would be delighted to hear from you.
JAM Duo
Always live. Always personal.
