As a photographer based in the South West, I always loved returning to Tunnels Beaches and to provide natural Tunnels Beaches wedding photography Situated in the charming seaside town of Ilfracombe in North Devon. Tunnels Beaches is a uniquely designed coastal wedding venue accessed via a hand-carved tunnel through the cliff with its private beach. There simply isn’t another wedding venue like it in the UK.
Tunnels Beaches offers a stunning location for a wedding with beautiful scenery, private secluded beaches and spectacular sunsets. All of this creates a relaxed and informal vibe on your wedding day. And the rugged Devon coastline alongside exclusive access to one of their private beaches offers up an amazing array of perfect backdrops for spectacular wedding photos. Making Tunnels Beaches a real favourite with Devon wedding photographers.
Tunnels Beaches are fully licensed for wedding ceremonies both indoors and out. Indoor weddings take place in their contemporary, stylish and bespoke venue building that has ceiling-to-floor windows to take in the magnificent coastal views. This blank canvas can be dressed to your taste and colour scheme.
Most couples choose an outdoor wedding ceremony on the terrace and garden overlooking the sea. You say your vows within a thatched gazebo with your guests seated behind you on either side of an aisle. Allowing you to make an entrance, and walk back down the aisle as a married couple to whoops and cheers from everybody.
Exclusive use means that you can blend the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. And if the weather doesn’t behave itself at the last second you can switch things to indoors without any fuss. And as the indoor space enjoys the same fantastic views as the outdoor space, you’ll still feel connected with the seascape.
At Tunnels Beaches weddings, my day using starts in their light, spacious getting-ready room. The perfect place for the wedding party to convene and get ready together. And for me to get that all-important morning of the wedding images.
Tunnels Beaches can accommodate up to 120 guests for a seated wedding ceremony. And up to 160 guests for a drink reception and evening celebration.
Drinks receptions usually take place outdoors where guests can enjoy drinks and handmade canapes. With the formality of the ceremony done, it’s time for some fun! Many of my couples enjoyed a few fun extras like the pretty ice cream trike, and the giant deckchair and garden games like the limbo pole and giant Jenga. All perfect for me to take some candid documentary-style photos of guests having fun!
When it comes to food, Tunnels Beaches has its own talented in-house catering team that creates fresh locally produced food on the day of your wedding. Famed for their homemade canapes to accompany your post-ceremony drinks, and gourmet BBQs using the freshest of local meat, vegetables, fish and seafood. Accompanied by colourful and inspiring salads and vegetables and followed by delicious desserts. When you book your wedding at Tunnels Beaches, you work with the chefs before the day to create a bespoke menu with food and drinks that will really wow your guests.
Natural Tunnels Beaches Wedding Photography
For your evening celebrations, the indoor venue space offers a fully integrated built-in sound system allowing music to be fed simultaneously to all areas or to chosen specific areas. This is great as Tunnels Beaches has a license for live music, and/or your chosen DJ. The state-of-the-art lighting system effortlessly creates the mood you want, and underfloor heating and air conditioning allow you to ensure your guests are comfortable at all times.
Tunnel Beaches is also the perfect choice for couples looking for the simplicity and intimacy of a micro or elopement wedding ceremony only. This is on offer for 2 – 18 guests. Or you can choose their all-inclusive elopement package for 12-18 people where you and your select few guests make a luxurious weekend of your wedding.
Talking of making a weekend of it, Tunnel Beaches is a perfect venue for destination weddings. Many of their couples come from all over the world to get married there. So, if you want to turn your wedding day into a wedding adventure that lasts a few days and takes all of your loved ones with you, then Tunnel Beaches could be the ideal venue for you.
I love capturing Tunnels Beaches wedding photography, as turning your wedding day into a wedding weekend and taking your guests with you is so much fun! And results in better wedding photos as you and your guests are so relaxed by the time the wedding comes, that I get authentic and happy images.
When it comes to guest accommodation at Tunnel Beaches you are spoilt for choice. Located at the entrance, The Bath House is a grand Grade 2 listed building dating back to 1836. It comes with a sunny yard area, a grand lobby, a lounge, a large kitchen and a spacious dining room. It sleeps up to 18 adults and 6 children across 9 en-suite rooms.
Relaxed Tunnels Beaches Wedding Photographer
Next door you will find The Courtyard, another 9-bedroomed property. With a stylish open-plan layout with large kitchen, dining and lounge areas. It has parking for 7 cars and enjoys links to The Bath House creating a wonderful outdoor space if you book both properties. The Courtyard can sleep up to 18 adults and 2 children.
Runnymede House is another Grade 2 Listed property onsite. Built in 1840 this gothic style building has recently benefited from extensive renovations. Offering luxury self-catering accommodation sleeping up to 12 adults and 2 children. It contains a great suite that is the perfect space for wedding preparations.
Lastly, The Woodlands are contemporary self-catering accommodations comprising 9 bedrooms that can sleep up to 18 adults and 2 children. The kitchen, dining and lounge areas have a stylish open-plan feel. And it has a ground-floor bedroom ideal for those with poor mobility. Outside it has a sunny yard with BBQ and undercover outdoor dining that links with Runnymede House. It has parking for 7 cars.
When you book a Tunnels Beaches wedding, the helpful team work with you to plan and organise your day to your vision. Ensuring the process is fun and stress-free. And they’re there on the day to ensure everything goes smoothly. Every little detail is meticulously taken care of. Honestly, nothing is ever too much trouble for these guys. They’re even nice to Devon wedding photographers!
So, if you’re getting married or thinking of getting married at Tunnels Beaches, I hope this has been helpful to you. Tunnels Beaches is an utterly unique and memorable wedding venue but you don’t have to take my word for it. The most fun part of planning a wedding is getting to visit amazing wedding venues in brilliant locations. So have fun with it.
And if you’re looking for an experienced wedding photographer to provide you with a beautiful Tunnels Beaches wedding photography storytelling images. Then feel free to get in touch.
I’d love to hear about your wedding plans…
Martin captured our wedding at Tunnels Beaches in a natural and non-intrusive way. He is also very creative and our photos are just AWESOME!”
Katja & Tom
Are you planning a wedding at Tunnels Beaches and looking for an experienced and friendly wedding photographer?
