..............
..............Frequently asked questions...
..............
..............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, Disco/Band, wedding insurance and registrar fees are extra. Bar and catering staff are provided by us.
..............What dates are available in 2012? (please email for 2013 & 2014)
..............Please see 'availability' info.
..............How much does a typical wedding & reception cost at Tunnels Beaches?
..............As a guide price our weddings tend to range from £8500 to £10,000.
..............A typical wedding based on 70 guests attending would cost a total of approx. £9602 based on including the following items:
..............Venue hire £4500-£5750 (winter dates attract a discount of £2500 off these prices)
..............Canapés after ceremony (70 @ £6.95pp) £486
..............Gourmet BBQ (70 @ £27.95pp) £1957
..............Desserts (70 @ £4.95pp) £347
..............Drinks package (70 @ £15.50pp) £1085
..............Evening snacks (70 @ £2.95pp) £207
..............Damage deposit (refundable) £500
..............Wedding insurance £20
..............Seal playing in sea directly below £FREE (subject to availability!)
..............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 £300 - £400)
..............Will prices such as venue hire, food & drinks rise after I book & pay my deposit?
..............No, we fix your prices to those current to the date of your booking. However prices may rise due to Duty/VAT increases.
..............Do we require a damage deposit?
..............Yes, a £500 damage deposit is required on settlement of other costs 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding.
..............This will be refunded within a 7 day period after your wedding if no damage is caused or if no items are missing.
..............Is there a best time of year for weather?
..............It's not possible to answer this: April 2011 was glorious, June not so great. It can be amazing any day, any month.
..............We have had lots of wedding days when it was awful in the morning but lovely by the afternoon. You have your fall-back plan sorted,
..............(i.e. a gorgeous indoor facility with the same breathtaking views) so just relax and go with the flow. We have had 57 weddings
..............mid May to early September with only 2 indoors! We will always endeavour to have your wedding outside & only move at the last moment.
..............Do we offer winter weddings?
..............Weddings are available throughout the year. The stylish first floor function room provides spectacular views of the crashing
..............waves, while the stunning cliff and garden lighting looks great during the darker evenings. We will still offer outside weddings if
..............the weather permits. A new seaside themed winter hot buffet menu will be launched online soon...
..............What is the venue hire charge for winter weddings?
..............Saturdays: £3250, Fridays & Sundays £3000 and mid week (Mondays to Thursdays): £2000.
..............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.
..............Will we still be able to get married in the garden gazebo once the new indoor facilities are provided?
..............Yes - we will always assume the wedding will take place outside and only move indoors in very inclement weather conditions.
..............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.
..............Can we just have a wedding reception?
..............Yes, we are happy to take on receptions/parties after your Church ceremony, the venue hire charge is the same as the main tariff.
..............What time can we hold our wedding/civil ceremony?
..............We can hold the ceremony from 2pm onwards. (From 12pm October to March).
..............Will the venue be exclusive to us?
..............Your booking hire fee provides exclusive use of the garden, beachside function building & bar from the morning of your wedding.
..............We do not live locally - will this be an issue?
..............The majority of our couples do not live locally. Don't worry: organisation of your day will be a breeze - see testimonials for proof!
..............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 (Inc. the happy couple!).
..............The optimum number of guests for the ceremony and barbecue is 60-70.
..............We welcome up to 120 guests for an evening party with drinks.
..............Do you have built-in sound systems?
..............Yes you can simply bring along an iPod or laptop to plug directly into our top quality professional indoor and outdoor PA systems.
..............Do you have WIFI?
..............Yes! You can therefore connect to Spotify or iTunes on the day! You can also set up your iPhone to control the music!
..............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
..............our integrated PA system that works throughout the facility inside and out. PA/Sound System Info. Sheet >>
..............Can we have a band or DJ?
..............We advise against bands in the evening due to the unique location/access - iPods give more flexibility. Please talk to us before booking.
..............Daytime accoustic style acts work well for before/after ceremony. We reccomend J.P. Leisure DJ's as Jon can use our in-built system.
............. J.P.Leisure (DJ & choice of Musicians/Vocalists) – www.jpleisure.co.uk/JPL-Entertainment.html
............. M'Larkey (Eclectic Folk Band) – www.facebook.com/pages/Mlarkey/52260429587
............. Mark Barnwell (Spanish, Latin & Flamenco Guitar) – www.markbarnwell.co.uk/blue/index.htm
..............Can we have Karaoke?
..............Unfortunately not.
..............What decorations will we need?
..............Due to the dramatic coastal location extensive decoration is not normally necessary. Many couples arrange for the gazebo to be
..............dressed with flowers or other decorations. Table decorations are also worth considering. You have access from 10am for decorating
..............purposes. We have pre-installed decorative lighting for the gazebo, bar, function room, garden and dramatic cliff flood lighting.
.............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.
..............Create a relaxed and informal garden party atmosphere by not seating all of your guests for ceremony or food. Allow guests to make
..............full use of our balconies and terraces and enjoy the amazing views!
..............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
..............2pm - Guests arrive & welcome drinks served
..............3pm - Ceremony begins
..............3.45pm - Photos in garden & on beach whilst guests enjoy canapes & drinks
..............6.30pm - BBQ & desserts & wine served with meal
..............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)
..............1am - Finish
..............We can provide a delicious seaside themed hot buffet menu during the months of October - March.
..............Can we supply our own drink and food?
..............We do not allow customers to bring any food or drink onto the premises. (Other than wedding cake). We cater for all food in-house.
..............Do we offer food tastings?
..............No, sorry. We are a relaxed informal venue. Our barbecues are hugely popular and use only the best local produce. Due to the
..............nature of cooking on barbecues, the fact that all meat & fish are delivered fresh every wedding day, and the wide menu choices,
..............it is simply not feasible to provide food tastings. Please see our 'testimonials' website section for proof that our food is top notch.
..............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 tariff for prices.
..............Alcoholic favours?
..............We do not allow parties to supply alcoholic favours. Alcoholic gifts must be locked away and taken in the morning.
..............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.
..............Note: Desserts are always charged at full adult prices as the portions are unchanged.
..............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 ONLY 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 wedding cake maker?
..............We are happy to recommend 'Lindsey's Cake Shop' based in Boutport Street, Barnstaple... t: (01271) 376377
..............Can you recommend a good local florist?
..............Yes, we would happily the following...
..............Offshore Blooms – www.offshoreblooms.co.uk
..............Bella Fifi Flowers – www.bellafififlowers.co.uk
..............Hampton Flowers – email: janine@hamptondesign.co.uk
..............Can you recommend a good local photographer?
..............We can recommend the following photographers...
..............Kensa Photography (Adrian) – www.kensaphotography.co.uk
..............Lucy Shergold – www.lucyshergoldphotography.co.uk
..............Richard Rayner - www.richardrayner.com
..............Matt Fryer – www.mattfryer.co.uk
..............Lindsey Talbert – www.urbanfoxphotography.net
..............Can you recommend a good local baby sitter/child minder?
..............We can happily recommend Sarah Nardoni, a friend of ours who is a qualified and experienced nursery nurse (& mum of 2!).
............ .References & CRB check available. t: 07747 305433, email: sarah.nardoni@btinternet.com
..............Do you provide table linen?
..............We supply white table cloths and good quality disposable white napkins. You are welcome to supply your own if you prefer.
..............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 create a table plan?
..............The most successful weddings here don't. It's far better to allow your guests to mingle in a relaxed 'garden party' atmosphere and
..............make full use of the amazing venue and location you have chosen. Guests absolutely love not being told what to do! If it rains and
..............we are forced to set up inside, there is a maximum capacity of 7 tables of 8 in the first floor and 3 tables of 8 on the ground floor.
..............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 supply table cloths, 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.
..............Many guests stay in nearby self catering houses or B&Bs and leave their cars there. We provide a parking space for the bride's
..............car all day & night.
..............What is our Wedding Cancellation Policy?
..............1. All deposits are non-refundable.
..............2. Cancellations must be made in writing.
..............3. Cancellation time:
.................• Up to 6 months prior to date of Wedding – deposit withheld.
.................• 4-6 months prior to date of Wedding – 50% of current estimated value.
.................• 2-4 months prior to date of Wedding – 75% of current estimated value.
.................• 2 months and less – 100% of current estimated value.
..............Tunnels Beaches Limited is conscious of the difficulties that can arise for the Client in the event of cancellation. With that in mind,
..............it is a condition of your booking that you take out adequate Wedding Insurance to cover any unforseen eventualities. Proof of insurance
..............is required within 30 days of your initial booking. Please email a copy of your certificate and policy. Good policies can be purchased
..............from a variety of well known online retailers such as John Lewis and Debenhams for as little as £20!
..............What is our Accommodation Cancellation Policy?
..............1. All deposits are non-refundable.
..............2. Cancellations must be made in writing.
..............3. Cancellation time:
.................• Up to 6 months prior to date of Wedding – deposit withheld.
.................• 4-6 months prior to date of Wedding – 50% of booking value.
.................• 2-4 months prior to date of Wedding – 75% of booking value.
.................• 2 months and less – 100% of booking value.
..............
