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Frequently Asked Questions on Weddings & Functions at Tamarind House
For Terms & Conditions - Click here
For Gold Packages - Click here
(The following information applies to Wedding Receptions only, click here for information on Wedding Ceremonies) Click here for Main restaurant
VIP Wing (for groups up to 18)
What is the Vip Wing?
This is a veranda on the upper level (5 steps up from ground level) in the main restaurant, that is slightly apart from the other diners but not completely private. It is suitable for groups up to 18 people for a special dinner. We do not allow children under 7 years in the VIP wing at any time, or in any part of the main restaurant after 7 p.m. unless you are hiring the main restaurant for your exclusive use.
If you have children under 7 years of age included in the guest list for your wedding or birthday dinner, we recommend you hire the Summer House, or if numbers are suitable, the Main restaurant for your exclusive use.
Is there a venue hire for the VIP wing? No there is no venue hire, but for weddings there is a $5.00 per head set up fee, which includes glassware, linens, cutlery & damask serviettes - it does not inclue floral centrepieces and any other extra decor of any kind. These can be arranged for an extra fee.
What menu can we have in the VIP wing? We suggest creating your own set menu from our a la carte menu at a pre-arranged meeting where we can make recommendations.
Can we have speeches in the VIP wing ? You can, but we cannot turn the music off or disrupt the other diners in any way.
Summer House (For groups under 30 pax) (For groups over 30 pax, click here for Main Restaurant)
What is the Maximum number of people that fit in the Summer House?
30 is the maximum for the Summer House, with 24 and less fitting most comfortably.
What is the Minimum for the Summer House?
We have had groups of as few as 8 people hire the Summer House for their exclusive use.
How many can fit on the bridal table in the Summer House?
6 on the bridal table is the maximum that can fit due to the configuration of the Summer House.
What are the table sizes? How many can fit on each table?
The Summer House tables are trestle tables – size: three people can fit down each side and 1 on each end.
How many tables can fit in the Summer House?
This is fairly flexible: We recommend the following depending on the number of guests:
Separate Table Set Up
3 tables of 8, plus bridal table of 6, or 4 tables of 6, plus a bridal table of 6 can fit in the Summer House, and obviously less tables for smaller groups = we highly recommend a board room set up
A boardroom set up – we set up a two-table wide rectangle:
24 people for example, the Bride & Groom will be at the head and 10 down each side and two at the bottom. This is an intimate set up that works very well.
What does the venue hire include?
($500 weekdays, $700 Saturdays)
(Please enquire for Summer House Venue Hire for Champagne Wedding Breakfasts, 3hours)
The Summer House Venue Hire includes exclusive use of the Summer House for a4 hour reception, with 1/2 hour allowed for wrap up.
The Summer House and beach area in front is for your exclusive use. No other guests will be using the Summer House and you will have total privacy for your reception. You can have speeches, your own music, or hire musicians, fire dancers, dance troupes or other entertainment for your private enjoyment.
What does the $5.00 a head Set Up fee include?
This includes the use of our table linens, serviettes, glassware, cutlery and crockery, tea light candles, and table runners for the center of the table. You can let us know what colour runners you require, and if we do not have the colour required, you are welcome to bring your own.
The table set up fee does not include white chair covers. These are available at $5.00 per chair. The table set up fee does not include chair bows; these are available at $1.50 per chair.
Can we have a DJ or a Band in the Summer House?
You can have a DJ in the Summer House, but due to the fact that the Summer House is a roofed but open-sided building, we ask that the DJ or Band does keep the music at a good level for dancing but not so extremely loud as to disturb our guests dining in the main restaurant. Also please note venue hire is for 4 hours only. Music must be turned down at 10.00 and off by 10.15, unless extra venue time has been commissioned and paid for by prior arrangement.
Is there room for a dance floor in the Summer House?
This depends on how many tables you have, and the weather. On fine nights there is plenty of room to dance on the deck of the Summer House.
Can we use our iPod for music in the Summer House?
We can supply a simple but good stereo system with a docking station for ipods in the Summer House that puts out enough volume to dance to.
Is there any décor in the Summer House?
There are potted palms. There are fairy lights on the posts and eves. We recommend that you organise either through us, or yourselves or your wedding planner, to have tropical floral centerpieces made up for the tables by our local florists. Extra large vases of tropical blooms and foliage can also be commissioned.
If we want to decorate the tables or add extra décor ouselves, what time can we come?
Normally the tables will be in position with linens in the Summer House by midday.
How do we arrange transportation to and from the venue?
Once you book and confirm your wedding with us, we will send you a comprehensive “Wedding Essentials List” with phone numbers and email addresses of external service providers here on Rarotonga.
What happens in the Summer House if it rains?
We have clear weather drops that we unfurl for inclement weather. These keep the interior dry and free from wind but fortunately do not block out the ocean and beach views.
How many serving staff is on duty in the Summer House?
We have two staff members unless the group is 12 or less, when we would have one staff member. In that instance, extra staff from the main restaurant help out during meal service.
As the Buffet Menu is for groups of 35 or more, what type of meal can we have in the Summer House?
We have a selection of Function Set Menus on the website under Wedding & Functions Menus click here for 25 or more. For groups of less than 25, you can create a three course menu or similar from our a la carte menu and daily blackboard specials in advance of the wedding. link here. Once you have chosen your menu, we can let you know if your choices will be available.
How far in advance do we need to agree on the menus and drinks?
For our invoicing and estimate, we need to know the price of the menu you have chosen three months before the event, but the actual menu items can be chosen one month before. We also need to know whether you will choose a beverage package or an open bar.
Is it alright to have children in the Summer House?
As you are paying for private venue hire of the Summer House, children are welcome but please ensure that they do not wander over into the main restaurant or run around on the lawn in front of the main restaurant.
Do you have a Children’s Menu?
Yes we do – Fish or Chicken and Chips, Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate Sauce or
Fresh Fruit Salad & Ice cream - $20.00 a head.
Main Restaurant
What is the Maximum number of people that fit in the Main Restaurant?
100 is the maximum that can comfortably fit in the main restaurant. (However, by using a wedding marquee attached to the main restaurant, we are able to cater for us to 200 guests (buffet menu only or no choice or alternate drop menu - please enquire).
A bridal table of up to 10 people is possible, but will have to be shaped in a U, plus 6 tables of ten fit on the lower deck, and 3 more tables of ten fit on the upper deck which is just a few steps up from the lower deck and overlooking the lower deck. You may prefer to choose tables of 8 or tables of 6, the choice is yours.
What is the minimum for the Main Restaurant?
We have had a wedding party of 24 for the main restaurant that wanted completely private use of the whole Tamarind Venue and grounds.
How many can fit on the bridal table in the Main Restaurant?
10 on the bridal table is the maximum that can fit due to the configuration of the verandah posts, in a U shape. More can fit if the arms of the U are extended, but this does cut down the number of tables possible on the lower deck.
What are the table sizes? How many can fit on each table?
The tables in the main restaurant are mostly 80cm. square tables put together – a table of 10 is therefore 5 tables put together measuring a total of 4 metres in length and 80cm. wide. If a table of 8 is required, it would be 4 times 80cm. = 3.2 metres long, if a table of 6 is required, the length would be 3x80cm. = 2.4 metres long
What does the venue hire include?
($1500.00 weekdays, $1700 Saturdays for up to 100 guests) (For larger groups please enquire for venue hire costs)
The Venue Hire includes exclusive use of the Tamarind Main Restaurant, Summer House, beach deck and grounds. The venue hire is for a period of 5 hours with 1/2 hour extra given for wrap up.The total Tamarind premises are available for your exclusive use and privacy. No other guests will be using any area of the Tamarind property. You can have speeches, your own music, or hire musicians, fire dancers, dance troupes or other entertainment for your private enjoyment.
What does the $5.00 a head Set Up fee include?
This includes the use of our table linens, serviettes, glassware, cutlery and crockery, tea light candles, and table runners for the center of the table. You can let us know what colour runners you require, and if we do not have, you are welcome to bring your own.
The table set up fee does not include white chair covers. These are available at $5.00 per hair. The table set up fee does not include chair bows; these are available at $2.50 per chair.
If we want to decorate the tables or add extra décor, what time can we come?
As we have a lunch trade in the main restaurant on Mondays to Fridays, normally the tables in the main restaurant will be set with linens after 2 p.m. but if you require access earlier, just let us know. Sorry, the restaurant is not available for wedding parties to come and set up their own decor before 11.30 a.m.
How far in advance do we need to agree on the menus and drinks?
For our invoicing and estimate, we need to know what type of menu you require, i.e. set menu or buffet and the menu price you have chosen three months before the event, but the actual menu items can be chosen one month before. For menus link here. We also need to know whether you will choose a beverage package or an open bar.link here
Set Menus. What is the maximum number for a set menu?
We recommend a buffet for groups larger than 40 guests. If you do prefer a set menu and have a group larger than 40 guests, we will, unless prior arrangements are made, do the set menu as an alternate drop i.e. with a 2 choice, three course menu, we will prepare 50% of each dish of each course, and the staff will set one of each dish alternately in front of each guest, and the guests can change with someone else at the table if the dish is not to their choice. If this system does not suit you, please contact us for alternate recommendations. For set menus for groups of less than 40 guests, we would like an indication of what the majority of guests may choose, otherwise we will prepare an even percentage of each dish and some guests will therefore not get their preferred choice if it is already sold out by the time their order is taken.
If we choose a buffet menu, can we take away the left-over food at the end of the evening? We do not permit take-aways of any left-overs, and it is unlikely that there will be any as we cater for the exact amount of guests that have been confirmed. We serve the food on the buffet table only. We cater for the guests to enjoy their buffet dinner at Tamarind House.
Can we take away any wines that have been opened, paid for but not finished?
You certainly may.
Do you have discounted prices on beverage for weddings & functions?.
Yes, on wines and standard beers and mixes only, please contact us for details.
Is it alright to have children in the Main Restaurant?
As you are paying for private venue hire, children are welcome but please ensure that they are supervised at all times. For your own enjoyment of your event we do recommend that you organise small children to be taken home early or hire a babysitter.
Do you have a Children’s Menu?
Yes we do – Fish or Chicken and Chips, Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate Sauce or
Fresh Fruit Salad & Ice cream - $20.00 a head.
Can we have pre-dinner drinks such as champagne, & canapés if we come early to the reception?
Yes, but no earlier than 5.30 p.m. There is a list of finger foods on the website link here and for the drinks you can let us know how much you would like to spend and we will provide drinks accordingly. We do not have actual packages for pre-wedding reception/post ceremony drinks, but rather recommend that you select an amount within your budget to spend, and make your own selection of beverage to serve to your guests. We recommend champagne and beer, soft drinks and juice. For our wine list, link here
Can we have a DJ or a Band in the Main Restaurant?
You can have a DJ in the Main Restaurant, or a Band, or a Sound system to play your own music. Music must be turned down by 11.15, and off by 11.30. If you hire your own DJ, Band or Sound System, we do have a small fee for use of our power depending on the size of the equipment so please discuss with us in advance what type of band or system you have chosen, and the name of the band or DJ that you are using.
Can we use our iPod for music?
You will need to hire a sound system, which we can organise for you, if you want to dance as our system in the main restaurant is not powerful enough to put out a good sound for dancing.
Do you recommend an island dance troupe or fire dancers?
As you have chosen an island wedding, this always adds an extra special touch.
Is there dance floor?
We always leave room inside for a dance floor if the numbers of guests are 100 or less, and the bridal table is not too big and taking up too much space on the lower veranda. The dance floor is 2.8x6metres.
However on fine nights it is lovely to dance out on the lawn. The coconut palms lit with fairly lights, and there is other garden lighting.
How to we arrange transportation to and from the venue?
Once you book and confirm your wedding with us, we will send you a comprehensive “Wedding Essentials List” with phone numbers and email addresses of external service providers here on Rarotonga.
How many serving staff are on duty for a reception in the Main Restaurant?
This depends on the number of guests and the type of meal being served, such as set menu or buffet, but for set menus, we usually we have 1 staff member for every 15 guests, with a minimum of 3-4 staff on duty, therefore even for 30 guests there will be 3-4 staff on duty.
Gold Package
The Gold Package is an all inclusive package to make your wedding planning easy.
It is all inclusive with:
Venue Hire
Set Up Fee
Dinner (Buffet or Set Menu) - follow link for conditions
Dance Troupe or Fire Dancers
DJ & Sound System
Floral Centrepieces for tables
For extra costs you can have the following - please contact us:
3 hour Dinner Beverage Package with Tamarind Label Wines, Standard Beers, Soft Drinks & Juice.
Ceremony at Tamarind House
A live Band
Tamarind House Wedding Ceremonies.
$1500: Weekdays.
$1700 : Saturdays
Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony is usually held on our beach deck, photos on the gallery page.link here
What happens if it rains?
If it rains we use the Summer House.
What does the ceremony include?
This wedding ceremony is a simple package that includes the following:
Ceremony on the Beach Deck overlooking the Lagoon
Marriage Celebrant – (the celebrant fee is included)
Information with regard to arranging a Marriage License and assistance if required.
Two large tropical floral arrangements for the Ceremony at the base of the beach deck
Bottle of Champagne for the Bride and Groom
Registry table with linen and flowers
Are chairs for guests to sit on at the ceremony included in the package?
Chairs, chair covers, and chair bows are not included. These can be hired if required. We can help organise these from an external provider.
Is a wedding arch included?
No, we only provide the two large floral arrangements. An arch can
be commissioned. This is an external service that we can help you to organise.
Does the package include transport, bridal flowers, corsages, hair & makeup?
No these are not included. Only the items listed above are included. Once you book and confirm your wedding with us, we will send you a comprehensive “Wedding Essentials List” with phone numbers and email addresses of external service providers here on Rarotonga.
Do you provide wedding planning assistance?
Yes we have excellent wedding co-coordinators at Tamarind. If you require us to organise external services and any extras for your wedding, we charge 15% Commission on the price of the external services.
"Contact us to book your Special Day"
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