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..............Frequently asked questions...

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..............What is the charge for the venue?
..............Please see 'tariff' info.

..............What does the venue hire fee include?
..............Your fee provides use of the wedding facility and garden overlooking the beach all day and evening of your wedding.
..............Food, drink, PA equipment, Disco/Band, linen and registar fees are extra. Bar and catering staff are provided by us.

..............How much does a typical wedding & reception cost at Tunnels Beaches?
..............As a guide price our weddings tend to range from £5500 to £7500
..............A typical wedding based on 80 guests attending would cost a total of £6660 based on including the following items:
..............Venue hire £1850-£2500
..............Canapés after ceremony (80 @ £6.95pp) £556
..............BBQ (80 @ £22.95pp) £1836
..............Desserts (80 @ £4.95pp) £396
..............Drinks package (80 @ £12.95pp) £1036
..............Evening snacks (80 @ £2.95pp) £236
..............PA equipment hire £100
..............Clearly the total cost will depend on the number of guests you choose to invite, the day of the wedding and food/drink options.
..............(Registrar fees are extra and payable direct, costing around £400)

..............Does the bar stay open all day?
..............Yes for the duration of the event. The closing time will be agreed prior to the event.

..............What is the charge for a ceremony?
..............Please see 'tariff' info.

..............Which dates are still available for ceremonies in 2010?
..............None. We are fully booked for 2010.
..............There is availability for receptions throughout October......

..............Can we just have the ceremony with you but move on to somewhere else for the evening reception?
..............No, due to the limited availability of dates we only accept ceremonies if accompanied by an evening reception/party.
..............Additional facilities due to be built during winter 2010/2011 – may enable ceremonies only mid week if accompanied by a buffet.

..............Can we just have an evening reception?
..............Yes, we are happy to take on evening receptions/parties, but these are held within our cafe-bar building on the town side of the
..............tunnels, not within the garden or beachside building.

..............Are there any dates you do not take ceremony bookings?
..............We only accept bookings between Easter & October. Receptions and parties may be arranged to start after 7.30pm.

..............What time can we hold our wedding/civil ceremony?
..............We can hold the ceremony from 2pm onwards.

..............Will the venue be exclusive to us?
..............From 2011, your booking hire fee provides exclusive use of the garden, beachside function building & bar from the morning of your ..............wedding. Evening-only events are held within our oak framed building on the town side of the tunnels and will be exclusive to you.

..............Can we get married on the beach?
..............No, but as near possible! Legally all ceremonies must be held within an approved structure. Your options include a thatched gazebo ..............overlooking the sea, within our gorgeous function room/bar overlooking the garden, gazebo & sea, or even in the tunnels themselves!

..............What are the maximum numbers for guests?
..............We encourage relaxed, informal small weddings and parties. Ceremonies can be held for up to 80 people.
..............We welcome up to 120 guests for an evening party with drinks.

..............Do we need PA equipment?
..............The outdoor, seaside location can often make it difficult for some guests to hear what's going on.
..............Many couples choose to use a PA system during the ceremony and again later for the speaches.
..............We can provide a fully set up, good quality system for a hire charge of £75 for the ceremony only or £100 all day inc.
..............relocation to cafe later in the evening.

..............Can we have a band or DJ?
..............Most of our bookings do. Due to the subjective nature of rating bands, we advise you to go to see a variety and organise direct.
..............We can recommend...
............. J.P.Leisure – www.jpleisure.co.uk/JPL-Entertainment.html

..............Can we have Karaoke?
..............Unfortunately not.

 .............Do you have any suggestions or ideas that have worked well before?
..............Late afternoon marriage ceremonies are proving very popular and our 4pm ceremony time works very well...
..............early evening sun on the beaches for photos and great continuity for the event going into the evening reception/party.

..............Choose an accompanying drinks package and our canapé menu to keep your guests happy straight after the ceremony.

..............Our informal food platters are popular with guests as a late evening snack to accompany the flowing drinks and as a break
..............in the band’s sets.

..............A typical wedding at Tunnels Beaches might follow these (flexible) timings...

..............Morning of wedding - Wedding cake and decorations delivered and venue decorated by friends/relatives
..............3pm - Guests arrive & welcome drinks served
..............4pm - Ceremony begins
..............4.45pm - Photos in garden & on beach whilst guests enjoy canapes & drinks
..............7pm - BBQ or buffet & desserts & wine with meal served
..............8pm - Speeches & toasts
..............8.30pm - Evening guests (if any) arrive
..............9pm - Disco/Band starts (or use an iPod connected to our sound system with a good play list)
..............10pm - Evening snacks served
..............11pm - Fireworks/chinese lanterns released (weather dependent - will be decided by us on the night)
..............12pm - Finish

..............Can we supply our own drink and food?
..............We do not allow customers to bring any food or drink onto the premises. We cater for all food in-house.

..............Is corkage charged?
..............We do not allow you to supply any drinks, even if you're willing to pay corkage - please see our wine lists and bar tarrif for prices.

..............Alcoholic favours?
..............We do not allow parties to supply alcoholic favours.

..............Do we pay full food prices for children?
..............Depends on their age... 0-3yrs eat free of charge, 4-12yrs are half adult prices and over 12yrs are full adult prices.

..............Who arranges the 'master of ceremonies'?
..............Yourselves. We provide an informal and relaxed wedding venue so this could maybe be the job of your best man/maid of honour.

..............Do we allow confetti?
..............Yes (within a designated area) as long as it is biodegradable, and preferably thrown outside of the building, strictly none in
..............tunnels or on beaches. Silk and fresh petals are allowed. Foil in any form is not allowed. Bubbles are accepted.

..............Can you recommend a good local florist?
..............We are happy to recommend 'The Ilfracombe Flower Company' based in Ilfracombe... t: (01271) 862481

..............Do you provide table linen?
..............Most of our couples don't bother with table linen. However we can provide a choice of white or beige table cloths at a cost
..............of £2 per guest.

..............Do we allow paper sky lanterns?
..............Yes, they must be biodegradable, and release will be subject to weather/wind conditions on the day. We can't guarantee that
..............you will be able to use them on the day, but are happy to do so if conditions are safe.

..............Should we put cameras on tables?
..............This is allowed however remember you will gets lots of photos of the same thing. Our staff will collect and save cameras.

..............Can we decorate tables?
..............We can supply table cloths (£2 hire charge per person), candles and napkins etc. that blend in with the room.
..............We can put flowers or decorations on tables that you or your florist supplies. Sprinkling of foil is not allowed due to damage
..............to our machines.

..............Can we take left over food home with us?
..............Simply due to health and safety regulations we are not allowed to let customers do this.

..............Do we take presents home on the evening?
..............We cannot securely store your presents overnight, but we are happy to store the cake and any flowers left.

..............Do we supply place cards?
..............No, these need to be supplied by you if required.

..............Smoking Policy!
..............As per government legislation, smoking is not permitted indoors. We can designate undercover outdoor areas for any guests
..............who wish to smoke.

..............How about parking?
..............There is a pay and display at our entrance for approximately 35 cars. Alternatively there is parking on the public roads nearby.

..............Can you recommend accommodation in the area?
..............We are happy to provide the following weblinks to nearby accommodation providers (all located within a 2 min walk):

..............www.thehamptonshotel.co.uk
..............A unique boutique, offering chic, sumptuous accommodation that’s been designed to provide our guests with the ultimate in
..............comfort and indulgence, at B&B prices. "This lovely family-run North Devon hotel is housed in a Victorian Villas 5 minutes walk
..............from Tunnels Beaches. Just above the hotel is the gorgeous National Trust Coastal path." Daily Telegraph - July 2009

..............www.theelmfield.com
..............The Elmfield is Ilfracombe's family friendly independent hotel and restaurant. Housed in a lovely restored Victorian villa,
..............combining contemporary style with a classic twist. The Elmfield offers all the facilities of a luxury hotel, there is a heated indoor
..............swimming pool, a licensed bar and games facilities, combined with the warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere of a friendly
..............family home. The Elmfield is an exceptional place, where everyone can expect relaxation, luxury and fun. Whether you're on
..............a walking holiday, an activity holiday or a relaxing break, The Elmfield offers luxury accomodation for your North Devon holiday.

..............www.bighousedevon.co.uk
..............A large, luxury, child friendly, detached Victorian house standing in ½ acre of private, terraced gardens. It has magnificent views
..............over Ilfracombe, Devon, & out to sea. This unique, self catering villa backs directly onto the South West coastal path. It is a perfect
..............base from which to explore the stunning North Devon beaches, dramatic Exmoor countryside & picturesque Devon villages..............

..............www.west-wood.co.uk
..............Westwood offers you the chance to unwind and relax in a beautiful place, tastefully decorated in neutral and calming colours
..............with beds that will ensure a truly great nights sleep.