The Ashmolean Museum

(28)
£1,875 - £9,000 for Venue Hire
Up to 152
Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
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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

Personal Message from the Manager

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

Wedding Venue Hire Only
£1,875 - £9,000
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What's Included?
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Choice of preferred caterers
Private room(s) included (non-exclusive use)
Multiple course wedding breakfast
All wedding packages include a dedicated Wedding Manager from your first enquiry, and a dedicated Operations Manager with Events Assistants on the day. CEREMONY & RECEPTION Have your guests welcomed into the Museum via our iconic neo-classical forecourt and up the Grand Staircase to one of our beautiful galleries for your ceremony. Following the formalities your guests can enjoy the Atrium, the contemporary heart of the museum, before heading to the grand Sculpture Gallery for a sumptuous Wedding breakfast. While the night is still young, descend to our underground Vaults to party the night away. CEREMONIES & BLESSINGS ONLY For couples seeking a ceremony surrounded by the Ashmolean’s world renowned collection, we have a number of galleries you can start the next step of your story in. The largest, our European Art Gallery, is a wonderfully romantic setting for up to 90 guests. For smaller, more intimate ceremonies and blessings from 15 to 35 people, the pre-Raphaelite Gallery, 19th Century Art Gallery and Cast Gallery allow you to exchange vows in truly one of a kind spaces. GALLERY RECEPTION ONLY For couples who are just looking to celebrate at the Museum. On arrival, enjoy the Atrium, the contemporary heart of the museum, before heading to the grand Sculpture Gallery for a sumptuous Wedding breakfast. The night will still be young at this point and so we’ll lead your guests to the party in the Vaults – an atmospheric and informal setting to end the evening with dancing and live bands. ROOFTOP TERRACE & DINING ROOM - CEREMONIES AND/OR RECEPTION Celebrate your story on our Rooftop - a quiet oasis hidden high above the busy city centre. This light and airy dining room is bathed in natural light by day and adorned in glistening city lights by night.
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In-house Catering (price per head)
£75 - £160
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Reviews for The Ashmolean Museum
(28)

Weddings by Nicola & Glen (Photographers)
Wedding: December
December 2024
Wet weather wedding photography!
We just wanted to say ‘Thank You’ for helping us with Emma & Erik's wet weather [wedding photography] plan on Saturday. Not only was it much needed but it was an absolute treat being able to shoot in the beautiful surrounds of the Ashmolean Museum at long last!
Lucy & Dan
Happy couple married in October
December 2024
The perfect way to celebrate
We honestly could not have had the experience that we did without the help of the Ashmolean team... I know that the museum must have hosted dozens of weddings by now and that was evident in how smoothly everything ran, but somehow it still felt completely special and unique... It was the perfect way to celebrate and well worth waiting for. A final HUGE thank you again and please do pass this on to all the staff who helped.
Alex
Happy couple married in October
December 2024
Outstanding venue and service
We couldn't be happier about having our wedding at the Ashmolean Museum. It's a beautiful venue and very unusual (our guests loved it!) The staff were fantastic before, during and afterwards. We were able to customise the event to suit us, but always felt supported in the advice from the event team. The venue itself is good value for money. Worth noting that you are restricted in your caterers, who aren't cheap, but are good.
James and Alex
Happy couple married in September
September 2023
Asia and the team were absolutely fantastic - and what a great venue!
We were so pleased to be able to have our wedding at this venue - it was truly unique and our guests absolutely loved it. Asia and the team were outstanding in the run up to the wedding - a really personal service with great comms - she gave us confidence that everything was going to go as planned, and it did. On the day the events team ran like clockwork and carried the event along seamlessly. Will definitely recommend to others.
Matthew Pattimore Photography
Wedding: January
January 2023
'I absolutely love this place'
I absolutely love this place. If you love beautiful art, incredible architecture and an amazing photo op around every corner, this is the place for you.
Emily & Andrew
Happy couple married in June
January 2023
'Beautiful, special and unique'
The Ashmolean is an absolutely beautiful, special and unique place for a wedding. We had such a great experience and the staff were so attentive and kind throughout the process. Overall we are certain our wedding day was all the more special for us, memorable for the guests, and will be an interesting story for us to tell throughout our lives because we got married in the Ashmolean.
Kirsten & Ben
Happy couple married in September
January 2023
'Took the stress out of planning our big day'
Our wedding at the Ashmolean was truly spectacular - the museum provided an exquisite backdrop to our ceremony and celebrations. All our guests commented on how exciting it felt to be in the museum after-hours. The sculpture gallery made a striking setting for our meal, and the European Art Gallery was just beautiful. We couldn’t recommend the Ashmolean staff highly enough, and they completely took the stress out of planning our big day.
Sophie & Luke
Happy couple married in August
January 2023
'A dream come true for us'
Our wedding at the Ashmolean was absolutely perfect. It was everything we had dreamed it would be, and more. If we were to describe our special day in three words it would be: unique, whimsical and breathtaking. We would absolutely recommend the Ashmolean for anyone looking for a classic wedding with a little bit of mystic magic and a unique touch on class and elegance. It completely lived up to being a dream come true for us on our special day.
Bryony & George
Happy couple married in August
January 2023
'Nothing was ever too much to ask'
I would recommend the Ashmolean for a wedding to anyone, it truly is a stunning backdrop for such a special occasion. It was just what we wanted and all our guests were so impressed! Asia was absolutely amazing from start to finish and nothing was ever too much to ask. All the attention to detail was so on point. The room was set up perfectly and all staff on site were so kind and attentive.
Vicky & Simon
Happy couple married in September
January 2023
'Amazing venue, wonderful staff & fantastic food!'
Our wedding reception at the Ashmolean was incredible - the most amazing venue, wonderful staff and fantastic food! Many of our guests have said that it was by far the best setting for a reception they have ever experienced and we would agree - so many different spaces to use, surrounded by history yet also elegant and modern. Asia and her team were faultless in their delivery on the evening and their professionalism, kindness and attention to detail were so appreciated.

Location & Contact Details for The Ashmolean Museum

Wedding Venue Address

Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, England, United Kingdom

Travel Notes

Located in the heart of Oxford City Centre

Nearest Town

Oxford

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M40 J8A

Nearest Train Station

Oxford

Nearest Airport

Heathrow

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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Inject your personality into your day! This day is all about celebrating your love story with your nearest and dearest, so make it memorable by making it unapologetically YOU.

What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?

Using wedding favours to gift each guest a personalised book recommendation.

Describe The Ashmolean Museum in 5 adjectives

Unique, historical, opulent, dramatic, memorable.

Where’s the best photo spot at The Ashmolean Museum?

Our European Art Gallery. This spacious gallery evokes the richness of a historic art collection in an Italian palace or English country house where marble and bronze sculptures, fine furniture, Old Master paintings and imposing portraits are displayed in this stately reception room. A staircase leads down to the gallery, perfect for making your grand entrance.

What’s your favourite canapé?

Our exclusive catering partners create food with passion. Their ingredients are sustainably sourced and showcase the best seasonal produce, beautifully designed and provides an extraordinary culinary experience to inspire you and your guests. Two of our most popular items are the Blue cheese mousse with Cotswold crunch digestive & quince, or the Peppered beef carpaccio with truffle purée.

What is The Ashmolean Museum most unique feature?

Not many venues can say they are home to half-a-million year's worth of history - the Ashmolean has been telling stories since 1683, and it really is such a unique talking point for your guests to be able to explore our historic galleries during your Reception.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

We pride ourselves on ensuring every wedding is as individual as the couple that book with us, and want to bring your dream wedding to life.
Press & Awards
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