Limited-Time Offers & Deals (3)
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
Experience
Overview of The Ashmolean Museum
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Cultural Specialists
Pricing for The Ashmolean Museum
Reviews (31)
- FFrancesca and Matthew22/10/2025A really special venue A really special venueThe Ashmolean Museum is everything you could want from a venue and more. The building itself is just absolutely stunning and the team were so organised that (shorter than usual) the wedding day/evening ran with military precision. Our guests couldn’t stop complimenting the venue and it felt such an honour to get married somewhere so unique and gorgeous. Definitely a day to remember! The Ashmolean Museum is everything you could want from a venue and more. The building itself is just absolutely stunning and the team were so organised that (shorter than usual) the wedding day/evening ran with military precision. Our guests couldn’t stop complimenting the venue and it felt such an honour to get married somewhere so unique and gorgeous. Definitely a day to remember!
- DDaniel27/08/2025The Ashmolean Team Really know what they're doingThe Ashmolean Team Really know what they're doingSince the start of the wedding planning process, the events team at the Ashmolean on the day have been excellent. They have a list of recommended vendors, but they were willing to work with us to choose different vendors if we wanted it. The team were absolutely excellent communicating vendors. Then team have obviously done loads of weddings, and we could tell by how smooth and well organised the planning, run-up, wedding itself, and final bits went. Their staff on the day were absolutely excellent, included in the very reasonable price for such a gorgeous venue. We had a team of staff working with us on the day, to help direct guests, make sure the bride and groom were in the correct places at the correct times. And, they had even more staff to help the cake vendor, photographers, florist, ceremony music and evening PA all set up. Given the beauty of the European art gallery, and the amazing rooftop terrace, the Ashmolean museum is an absolute steal. I really think it is the best value venue we looked at during our search. Overall I can honestly recommend the Ashmolean as a wedding venue wholeheartedly!Since the start of the wedding planning process, the events team at the Ashmolean on the day have been excellent. They have a list of recommended vendors, but they were willing to work with us to choose different vendors if we wanted it. The team were absolutely excellent communicating vendors. Then team have obviously done loads of weddings, and we could tell by how smooth and well organised the planning, run-up, wedding itself, and final bits went. Their staff on the day were absolutely excellent, included in the very reasonable price for such a gorgeous venue. We had a team of staff working with us on the day, to help direct guests, make sure the bride and groom were in the correct places at the correct times. And, they had even more staff to help the cake vendor, photographers, florist, ceremony music and evening PA all set up. Given the beauty of the European art gallery, and the amazing rooftop terrace, the Ashmolean museum is an absolute steal. I really think it is the best value venue we looked at during our search. Overall I can honestly recommend the Ashmolean as a wedding venue wholeheartedly!
- TTabby & Dan24/07/2025Night at the Museum Night at the MuseumWe had the best time getting married at the Ashmolean Museum it was our perfect wedding and everything that we wanted for the day! Asia and Kirsty were both amazing and helped guide us wonderfully so our day was exactly what we wanted! We cannot recommend having the Ashmolean Museum as a wedding venue more! We had the best time getting married at the Ashmolean Museum it was our perfect wedding and everything that we wanted for the day! Asia and Kirsty were both amazing and helped guide us wonderfully so our day was exactly what we wanted! We cannot recommend having the Ashmolean Museum as a wedding venue more!
- WWeddings by Nicola & Glen (Photographers)23/12/2024Wet weather wedding photography!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! 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!
- LLucy & Dan23/12/2024The perfect way to celebrateThe perfect way to celebrateWe 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.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.
- AAlex08/12/2024Outstanding venue and serviceOutstanding venue and serviceWe 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.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.
- JJames and Alex20/09/2023Asia and the team were absolutely fantastic - and what a great venue!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.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.
- MMatthew Pattimore Photography10/01/2023'I absolutely love this place''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. 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.
- EEmily & Andrew09/01/2023'Beautiful, special and unique''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. 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.
- KKirsten & Ben09/01/2023'Took the stress out of planning our big day''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. 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.
Location & Contact Details for The Ashmolean Museum
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 your venue in 5 adjectives.
Unique, historical, opulent, dramatic, memorable.
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
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 your venue's 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.
