When you think about Oxford, one of the first things that pops into your head is perhaps the world-famous university, which was once attended by famous faces including J. R. R. Tolkien, Stephen Hawking and Oscar Wilde. Or, perhaps you think about the legendary Inspector Morse or the city’s renowned collection of museums and architecture. Along with the fantastic culture and history within the city itself, Oxford is also surrounded by incredible countryside, with so much to explore and discover across the picturesque Cotswolds. With all this going for it, there really shouldn’t be any surprise that Oxford makes for a truly wonderful destination to host your wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that Oxford and the wider South East region are where 16% of all UK weddings take place, making it the most popular area in the country to tie the knot. A huge 84% of local couples choose to get married in the region, the second highest percentage in the UK, just behind Yorkshire and The Humber. Given the high demand, Oxford is one of the most expensive places to get married outside of London. Couples in the city spend an average of £22,644 on their wedding, which is higher than the UK average of £20,822.
This highlights just how sought-after Oxford is as a wedding destination. Thanks to its stunning venues, cultural heritage and masses of gorgeous countryside, Oxford is undoubtedly one of the best places in the UK to host your dream wedding.
Oxford’s weddings often reflect the city’s charm, combining natural beauty with history. This includes choosing one of Oxford’s many centuries-old venues that are filled with local stories. Many local couples in this classic city favour classic themes, enhancing their venues with massive florals, subtle lighting and tasteful decor that accentuates what makes Oxford so iconic. This is evident in the higher-than-average spending on flowers and decorations among couples in Oxford than other couples across the country.
Rustic weddings remain a favourite, particularly in countryside venues outside the city centre. These settings lend themselves to DIY touches that amplify the vintage aesthetic while also helping to keep costs down.
Given Oxford’s stunning landscapes, many couples are prioritising eco-friendly choices to help preserve what they love about the local area. Sustainable wedding trends include selecting venues big on green practices to minimise the environmental impact of their wedding day.
Intimate and private weddings are also on the rise in Oxford, with more couples opting for smaller guest lists and focusing on premium, personalised experiences. Wedding costs in Oxford are typically higher than in other regions of the UK, so kee
Oxford is home to an array of amazing wedding venues, suitable for all tastes, styles and budgets. Whether you want to get married in a grand college hall, an intimate riverside setting or a historic museum, Oxford has plenty of choices on offer.
For a venue steeped in luxury that will let you feel like a movie star or a member of the Royal Family, Oxford and the surrounding area have some truly next-level venues. Ardington House is an exquisite Georgian manor, with plenty of options for a memorable ceremony – it even has a lake with its own private island. Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is full of character and whimsy, with so many nooks and crannies to discover. There’s also the incredible Blenheim Palace, a venue like no other that means you get to have the most show-stopping wedding imaginable. Another fantastic and iconic venue is Oxford Town Hall, with luxurious spaces fit for the grandest of ceremonies.
Oxford’s surrounding countryside is arguably the most beautiful and picturesque in the whole country, with plenty of gardens, farmland, woods and sprawling grasslands that are perfect for a ceremony miles from the hustle and bustle of the city. Caswell House, Cogges Manor Farm and Oxford Botanic Garden each have their own charm and let you tie the knot in the great outdoors.
With so much history around Oxford, it’s totally understandable that you might want to include some of that in your big day. The Bodleian Library is just about as historic as you can get in Oxford, along with The Ashmolean Museum and Mansfield College, which aren’t just filled with history, but are also stunning and luxurious at the same time.
While the average cost of a wedding in Oxford is higher than the UK average, there are still plenty of venues in and around the city that are perfect for smaller budgets. Check out the likes of Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel, The Clifden Arms and Worton Kitchen Garden which are all brilliant venues if you’re not looking to spend too much as part of your celebrations.
The average cost of an Oxford wedding (as well as the rest of the southeast) is £5,626, which is less than the overall UK average, where couples pay £5,945. It’s also a lower amount than the average cost of a venue in London, which is £7,020. While Oxford might have a higher-than-average cost, you can absolutely have a lower-cost wedding in the region if you choose your venue and vendors wisely, or choose an off-peak date for your big day.
Due to Oxford’s popularity as a wedding destination, venues often get booked up well in advance. Most couples secure their venue 12 to 18 months before their wedding date, with some of the more iconic venues, or some of the more popular dates like those during the summer or weekends, needing to be booked two or more years ahead of time.
If you’re flexible with your date, you may be able to secure a venue within six months, particularly for midweek or winter weddings, when demand is lower. Choosing an off-peak date can also help cut costs, which may help you secure your dream venue around Oxford.
The UK’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, and Oxford is no different. Rain is possible at any time of year, but despite that, you’re still likely to have an amazing wedding day no matter whether it’s sunny, raining or snowing.
Spring (March – May) sees many of the city’s college gardens and parks come into full bloom, making it an ideal time for outdoor weddings. Just bear in mind that there are likely to be some April showers, so your chosen venue will need backup indoor space. Average temperatures range from 9°C (48°F) in March to 16°C (61°F) in May.
Summer (June – August) is the peak wedding season, with long daylight hours and temperatures between 19°C (66°F) and 23°C (73°F). Venues like The Medley Walled Garden are perfect during the summer, with amazing opportunities for beautiful wedding photographs.
Autumn (September – November) offers a stunning backdrop as the city’s parks fill with golds, reds and browns. With temperatures dropping from 17°C (63°F) in September to 9°C (48°F) in November, you’ll definitely want to think about a venue with plenty of indoor space.
Winter (December – February) is cold in Oxford, with temperatures ranging from 2°C (36°F) to 7°C (45°F). And while snow isn’t super common, the frosty mornings can make it look extra pretty. You’ll want to choose a venue that’s primarily indoors, like the Williams F1 Conference Centre, so you and your guests can party the night away and not worry about the weather.
Oxford’s central location and excellent transport links make it an accessible wedding destination for both local and international guests.
The city is well connected by train, with direct services from London Paddington and London Marylebone taking just over an hour. There are also frequent rail links to Birmingham, Manchester, and other towns and cities across the country. While public transport is excellent within the city, some locations outside the city may be a little more difficult to reach by public transport, but there are always plenty of taxis available.
For international guests, Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Birmingham Airport (BHX) are around 90 minutes by car. The M40, A34 and A40 provide convenient access. However, parking in the city can be challenging, so it’s worth considering venues that offer on-site parking or nearby accommodation with parking facilities.
As a tourist hotspot, Oxford offers plenty of hotel options. Plus, many of the hotels in the city and surrounding area also make for amazing wedding venues in their own right, so you can have your entire wedding day under one roof. Venues including Milton Hill House, Steventon House Hotel and Old Bank Hotel all make for fantastic and convenient venues around Oxford that you should definitely consider.
