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Price: £1,200 – £4,600
Guests: 152
Description
Description
Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the world's oldest public museum - making it an iconic and incredibly unique setting for your wedding. Located in the heart of Oxford, the Museum offers a wide range of spaces to build your dream wedding day - from opulent galleries and grand sweeping staircases, magnificent halls for sumptuous wedding breakfasts, to the modern Atrium and Rooftop terrace and underground Vaults to party the night away.
We can host anything from intimate daytime or evening ceremonies, through to lavish wedding breakfasts and dancing for up to 150 guests. This unique wedding venue is bound to be one your guests won't forget!
We also offer bookings for Rehearsal dinners and post-Wedding brunches, and would love to discuss any of your wedding weekend needs.
Your Wedding Ceremony
The Ashmolean Museum has a civil wedding ceremony license in every gallery throughout the museum. Book a private gallery during the Museum's opening hours (10am to 5pm) to host your wedding ceremony and drinks reception, or exclusively hire the whole venue after the museum closes to the public from 5.30pm. Our most popular ceremony rooms are our European Art Gallery, a romantic backdrop for the exchanging of your vows with up to 90 guests, or one of our more intimate galleries for smaller ceremonies - including our Pre-Raphaelite gallery, 19th Century Art gallery, or Cast Gallery.
Two Packages for your Wedding Reception
After saying "I do", celebrate your nuptuals with friends and family by hosting your reception in one of our beautiful reception spaces. Choose between our contemporary Rooftop Restaurant for a drinks, dinner and party, or our opulent Galleries, with reception packages including multiple spaces for your guests to enjoy throughout the evening.
Our Rooftop Restaurant is a bright, contemporary restaurant and bar, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace overlooking Oxford's "dreaming spires". Our catering partners Benugo provide delicious wedding catering packages for up to 70 guests. The Terrace is also licensed should you wish to marry outside, overlooking Oxford's "dreaming spires".
Our Gallery packages encompass multiple spaces around the Museum. Offer your guests the unique opportunity to enjoy "a night at the museum", with after-hours private access to exhibitions and galleries. Host a drinks reception in our European Art Gallery (90 guests) or Atrium (150 guests), followed by a sumptuous wedding breakfast provided by one of our catering partners in the Greek & Roman Sculpture Gallery (150 guests). End the night in style, partying the night away in our underground Vaults (150 guests).
Services Offered
At the Ashmolean Museum, you will have access to a dedicated venue hire team and weddings manager. Whether you are seeking the intimacy of a small ceremony, or a grand dinner and evening party, our team can assist you with expert advice throughout the process. The museum also boasts a range of accredited local event suppliers who can provide services for every element of your day. Each has been specially selected for their quality and ability to adapt to various budgets. A full list of these talented professionals is available upon enquiry.
Our packages include:
- A license for civil ceremonies and partnerships in every one of our galleries
- Private use of a chosen galleries for a daytime ceremonies and drinks receptions (from 10am to 5pm), or exclusive hire of the Museum for a ceremony or wedding reception from 5.30pm
- Access to our underground Vaults for evening party, dancefloor, live band & DJ facilities
- Our contemporary Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace for ceremonies, dinners and parties overlooking Oxford's "dreaming spires"
- Experienced caterers who can tailor food and drinks menus to your preferences
- Private wedding photography appointments also available on request
Message from the team
Name of Wedding Contact: Asia Yaqub
My name is Asia and I look after Weddings at the Ashmolean Museum. I absolutely love seeing our beautiful galleries come to life during Weddings. There is something incredibly magical and enchanting about getting married in such a unique venue. Which is why the Events Team and I are passionate about delivering all aspects of your dream wedding and ensuring you feel relaxed and able to enjoy your day, knowing all the finer details are being taken care of by the team.
Experience
Year Business Was Established
1683
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
8
Overview of The Ashmolean Museum
Wedding Venue Type
Museum / Attraction
Wedding Venue Capacity
Dining Capacity
152
Reception Capacity
900
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Church within walking distance
Sound system available
Wedding license
Dancefloor available
Confetti permitted
Wedding Venue Details
City View
Grade I/II Listed Building
Exclusive use
Disabled access
Outdoor Reception Space
In-house wedding coordinator
Wedding Catering
Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
In-House Wine List
In-house catering
Halal catering
Alcohol license
Kosher catering
Asian catering
Cultural Specialists
Other
Jewish Wedding Specialist
Asian Wedding Specialist
Pricing for The Ashmolean Museum
Pricing for The Ashmolean Museum
What's Included?
External caterers not permitted
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Choice of preferred caterers
Private room(s) included (non-exclusive use)
Set amongst the cityscape of Oxford’s dreaming spires, the Ashmolean is a magnificent venue for your wedding, civil partnership or celebration. Founded in 1683 the Ashmolean is the oldest public Museum in the world. Displaying half a million years of art and history, the spaces provide a stunning backdrop for a very special occasion. All our galleries are licenced which means we can offer intimate ceremonies at any time through to impressive evening receptions, dinners and dances combined with outstanding hospitality and entertainment.
Hide detailsReviews (34)
(34)
- TThe Cocktail Service20/07/2020Prestigious MuseumPrestigious MuseumHaving such a beautiful and prestigious museum so close to us is fantastic, and working at the Ashmolean is always a pleasure for our team. Working in such a unique venue is something the team really enjoy, and the events are always so much fun to work at. We look forward to the next event at the AshmoleanHaving such a beautiful and prestigious museum so close to us is fantastic, and working at the Ashmolean is always a pleasure for our team. Working in such a unique venue is something the team really enjoy, and the events are always so much fun to work at. We look forward to the next event at the Ashmolean
- SSquib Photo19/06/2018It has an air of magic about it!It has an air of magic about it!The Ashmolean is a beautiful venue to work as a photographer! There is a vast selection of options as backdrops from the galleries, roof space as well as the wonderful frontage...You also have Oxford right on your doorstep to wonder off with couples. It has an air of magic about it and the team work perfectly around the public access to set up ready for the couple's wedding day! It's a little different to a typical wedding venue and I think that's its charm!The Ashmolean is a beautiful venue to work as a photographer! There is a vast selection of options as backdrops from the galleries, roof space as well as the wonderful frontage...You also have Oxford right on your doorstep to wonder off with couples. It has an air of magic about it and the team work perfectly around the public access to set up ready for the couple's wedding day! It's a little different to a typical wedding venue and I think that's its charm!
- TThat Event Company19/06/2018Masters of guest experienceMasters of guest experienceIt is an amazing event experience and one of the best spaces in the UK, we are exceptionally lucky to have such a gem in Oxford. The Ashmolean events team and all of the museum staff are an exceptional group and are masters at the art of supplying a seamless experience for guests attending events. They are totally guest-focused, thoughtful in their approach and take care of their guests and us whilst onsite.It is an amazing event experience and one of the best spaces in the UK, we are exceptionally lucky to have such a gem in Oxford. The Ashmolean events team and all of the museum staff are an exceptional group and are masters at the art of supplying a seamless experience for guests attending events. They are totally guest-focused, thoughtful in their approach and take care of their guests and us whilst onsite.
- BBecky at Fulton Photography19/06/2018In-house wedding coordinator was amazingIn-house wedding coordinator was amazingI photographed Louise & Karl's wedding at the Ashmolean Museum. What a stunning day it was. Stacey the wedding planner and coordinator on the day was amazing. She was so friendly, communicative and really made the day run smoothly. Anyone who works behind the scenes of a wedding knows how stressful it can be, but I really felt Stacey took that stress from me in helping with timings, organising people and made sure I had everything I needed. For me, this makes the day run without a hitch and really makes it feel like a team effort - which I love. It allowed me to focus on taking the photos and be totally in the moment, allowing me to do the best job possible. The venue is like no other, incredible, grand and unusual backdrops which make the memories and photos so unique. The natural lighting of the spaces is just stunning - a dream for photographers. I felt so looked after on the day, being served with incredible food to boot. It wasn't just the day that was brilliant, prior to the day Stacey was in touch with me to discuss timings and plans which really helped us (along with the bride Louise) to build a plan, I love a plan. I would, without a doubt highly recommend the Ashmolean as a venue for that special occasion, it has the whole package! I photographed Louise & Karl's wedding at the Ashmolean Museum. What a stunning day it was. Stacey the wedding planner and coordinator on the day was amazing. She was so friendly, communicative and really made the day run smoothly. Anyone who works behind the scenes of a wedding knows how stressful it can be, but I really felt Stacey took that stress from me in helping with timings, organising people and made sure I had everything I needed. For me, this makes the day run without a hitch and really makes it feel like a team effort - which I love. It allowed me to focus on taking the photos and be totally in the moment, allowing me to do the best job possible. The venue is like no other, incredible, grand and unusual backdrops which make the memories and photos so unique. The natural lighting of the spaces is just stunning - a dream for photographers. I felt so looked after on the day, being served with incredible food to boot. It wasn't just the day that was brilliant, prior to the day Stacey was in touch with me to discuss timings and plans which really helped us (along with the bride Louise) to build a plan, I love a plan. I would, without a doubt highly recommend the Ashmolean as a venue for that special occasion, it has the whole package!
- NNicola at Hanami Dream19/06/2018Maximum impact with minimal effort!Maximum impact with minimal effort!The Ashmolean Museum gives you maximum impact with minimal effort, as the backdrop of this venue needs no help in packing a punch – the wow factor is there for you already. There doesn’t seem to be anything that is too much to ask of this venue. They are extremely flexible to accommodate couples’ wishes for their big day. Stacey is their amazing onsite wedding planner and she is on hand to help you through every detail and aspect of your wedding day. This is a beautiful hidden gem of a wedding venue in Oxford. From the outside you don’t know the expanse of options that are available inside. It provides a truly wonderful labyrinth of options to hold a wedding or special occasion The Ashmolean Museum gives you maximum impact with minimal effort, as the backdrop of this venue needs no help in packing a punch – the wow factor is there for you already. There doesn’t seem to be anything that is too much to ask of this venue. They are extremely flexible to accommodate couples’ wishes for their big day. Stacey is their amazing onsite wedding planner and she is on hand to help you through every detail and aspect of your wedding day. This is a beautiful hidden gem of a wedding venue in Oxford. From the outside you don’t know the expanse of options that are available inside. It provides a truly wonderful labyrinth of options to hold a wedding or special occasion
- LLaura & Ashley19/06/2018Amazing venue & teamAmazing venue & teamYou and the team did a fantastic job and we'd love to credit that however we can (and Maciek, our photographer too, of course!) So looking forward to our first anniversary already ;-)You and the team did a fantastic job and we'd love to credit that however we can (and Maciek, our photographer too, of course!) So looking forward to our first anniversary already ;-)
- HHelen & Pras19/06/2018Relaxed pre-wedding shootRelaxed pre-wedding shootThank you for everything! We were so happy with how our photographers were on the day and our pre-wedding shoot, and the final results . Plus they are good value compared to a lot of people we looked at and not at all pushy so we would love you to promote them however you can! We had the best day at the Ashmolean and have a beautiful album of photographs which we'll treasure forever. Thank you for everything! We were so happy with how our photographers were on the day and our pre-wedding shoot, and the final results . Plus they are good value compared to a lot of people we looked at and not at all pushy so we would love you to promote them however you can! We had the best day at the Ashmolean and have a beautiful album of photographs which we'll treasure forever.
- LLouise & Karl19/06/2018The best day!The best day!Everyone keeps telling me what a fun day it was, and how relaxed me and Karl looked - so definitely credit to you and the team for this!Everyone keeps telling me what a fun day it was, and how relaxed me and Karl looked - so definitely credit to you and the team for this!
- EEnglish Wedding Blog19/06/2018Timeless wedding venueTimeless wedding venueI just love the Ashmolean’s vibe as a unique, eclectic and timeless wedding venue. The place is breathtaking, with such an awe inspiring sense of history and space. It’s an incredible place to get married and I recommend it to all couples in the area looking for somewhere really special to celebrate their weddings!I just love the Ashmolean’s vibe as a unique, eclectic and timeless wedding venue. The place is breathtaking, with such an awe inspiring sense of history and space. It’s an incredible place to get married and I recommend it to all couples in the area looking for somewhere really special to celebrate their weddings!
- FFiona and John19/06/2018Attentive staff and great entertainmentAttentive staff and great entertainmentI just wanted to say how much John and I enjoyed the party last night. We love the venue, the food was delicious, the staff attentive and friendly and the DJ very good (apart from a few repetitions!). I have to say that that floor is excellent for dancing! So more like this, please! Please extend our thanks to all involved.I just wanted to say how much John and I enjoyed the party last night. We love the venue, the food was delicious, the staff attentive and friendly and the DJ very good (apart from a few repetitions!). I have to say that that floor is excellent for dancing! So more like this, please! Please extend our thanks to all involved.
Location & Contact Details for The Ashmolean Museum
Location & Contact Details for The Ashmolean Museum
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