5 Things I’d Do If I Were Planning a Wedding at Tunnels Beaches
Tunnels Beaches is one of the most distinctive wedding venues in Devon. Hidden beneath the cliffs in Ilfracombe, the venue is reached through a series of hand carved tunnels that open out onto a private beach and sea view terrace. It’s an incredible place to get married, but it’s also quite different from a typical countryside venue, and that can shape how the day flows.
Having photographed a number of weddings here over the years, you can see my Tunnels Beaches wedding photography here, I’ve learned that a few small decisions can make a big difference to how couples experience the space. The tide, the timing of the ceremony, and how the terrace is used during the evening can all influence the atmosphere of the day.
If I were planning my own wedding at Tunnels Beaches, these are the things I would think about. None of them are strict rules of course, just insights from seeing the venue in action many times and understanding what tends to work particularly well here. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already booked your date, these tips should help you make the most of one of Devon’s most unique coastal wedding venues.
The Veil vs. Atlantic
Skip the cathedral veil. The North Devon coast is rarely still. A weighted shorter veil, or a good plan with your hair stylist, ensures you aren’t fighting fabric or fringe during your vows. This stunning location means working with unpredictable weather, and even in summer a tidal wind is common. The upside is that the breeze often creates movement in dresses which can look great in photos.
The Sunscreen Station
Set up a “Sunscreen & Shades” station on the terrace. Guests often forget that they are basically in a giant “light reflector” once they hit the terrace. It prevents “lobster-red” guests in your evening reception photos and the shades help as the sun sets into the cove, making for a beautiful backdrop to speeches and those tidal pool portraits.
In Or Out – The Dance
One unique choice at Tunnels is whether to have your first dance inside the reception room or outside on the terrace. Some couples love dancing outside with the sea behind them while the music plays from inside, while others prefer the energy of the main room with the band or DJ nearby. Both work well, it’s just worth deciding early because it affects how the evening flows.
The Tidal Timeline
The biggest appeal of this lovely wedding venue is it’s proximity to the sea, ideal for those adventurous couples. You will of course have booked your ceremony time with the registrars and the wedding breakfast with the venue team before you know for certain what the tide times are. However, checking this a week or two before the big day helps you understand when it’s best to enjoy both the Gentlemen’s and Ladie’s beaches. The good news is that the tidal pool will be available at some point from the afternoon onwards, it’s just knowing when.
The Breakfast Hub
Tunnels has incredible on-site accommodation, like the new Runnymede House. Since these are self-catering houses, assign one “Breakfast Lead” to stock the fridge the day before. It sounds small, but having a full English or fresh pastries ready in the house makes for the perfect start to your wedding day.
About the Author
Lee Maxwell is a Devon wedding photographer, specialising in capturing unscripted moments and the authentic atmosphere of a wedding day. With over a decade of experience photographing large and intimate weddings, all with different lighting conditions and schedules to navigate, Lee’s photography has been featured by leading publications like Rangefinder Magazine and Wed Magazine. His approach is rooted in being an unobtrusive presence, allowing real moments to unfold naturally to tell a truer story of the day. When writing these wedding guides, Lee draws on his extensive on-the-day knowledge to help couples prioritise experience over poses, ensuring their memories are as effortless and heartfelt as the day itself. You can explore more of his work in his portfolio.
