Frequently asked questions

Your Arches questions answered

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How long is the booking for?

For the full wedding option, you have exclusive use of the ceremony space from midday to 6pm and the bridal suite from midday the same day to 10.30am the following morning.

For the elopement option, you have exclusive use of the ceremony space only from 9am to 11am, Monday to Saturday.

Where can I find the registrar?

Find our local registrar here.

How many guests can we have?

The wedding venue is licensed for 120 guests in total and we have seating for 104.

How much time with the registrar do we need to leave before the ceremony?

You will need around 20 minutes for interviews with registrar before the ceremony starts.

Can we have music at our ceremony?

You can play whatever music you like. The venue is equipped with surround sound Sonos speakers. So before you arrive make sure you download your playlist to your device using Spotify or Apple Music, as signal can be patchy, and sync wirelessly straight to the Sonos.

Do we have to tidy up after our ceremony?

Please take any personal items with you such as photos, bunting, balloons or empty bottles of fizz.

Are there catering facilities at the venue?

There isn’t a kitchen or any kind of food preparation area in the ceremony space. There is a small kitchen with a toaster, microwave, kettle, fridge and sink in the bridal suite. So there’s space to keep a few bottles of fizz in order to celebrate the occasion.

How do we access the venue?

There are steps leading down from the car park above, right down to the front of the venue. A public pathway also runs in front of the venue. This can be accessed via steps from the A399 (Woodlands) one end and via a ramp from Woodlands the other.

How about wheelchair access? 

The ramp which runs from Woodlands makes it easy to get to the venue as a wheelchair user, while access to the venue itself is via a small ramp at side of the building. Please note that wheelchair access to the garden is limited.

Can I bring a pet?

Yes, you can. Dogs on leads are welcome in the ceremony space and garden.

Can I smoke?

The whole venue is no-smoking, including the ceremony space, the garden, the bridal suite and the balcony. However, you can smoke on the public pathway in front of the venue.

Can we use confetti?

Yes you can, but please use dried flower petals and leaves, we have found the biodegradable confetti just isn’t. Smoke flares on the beach look fantastic, but no confetti cannons. We are in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and want to keep it as pristine as possible.

Are there places to stay nearby?

Combe Martin is a beautiful place to stay and there are some gorgeous local hotels and B&Bs nearby including abeachbedroom.com cottages. Take a look at our directory.

Where can I park?

We have a private car park in the centre of Combe Martin, which is free for your guests to use if you book the full wedding option. There are also numerous pay and display car parks throughout the village including one next door to the venue. 

Where is a good meeting place before the ceremony?

Before the ceremony, guests can meet at the venue itself. Or you could meet at a local watering hole like the Dolphin Inn then all walk down together. It’s just a short stroll away.

We live locally. Do we get a discount?

Yes! If you or your partner live in North Devon, you can enjoy a 25% discount.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel your booking up to 30 days before your wedding day and receive a full refund minus a £100 reservation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days before your booking, we’re unable to offer any refund.