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£2,250 - £9,000 for Venue Hire
Up to 152
Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
The Ashmolean Museum Full Description
A wedding venue like no other. Founded in 1683 the Ashmolean is the oldest public Museum in the world. Displaying half a million years of art and history, our unique spaces provide a stunning, historic backdrop for your dream wedding.
All our galleries are licenced to hold daytime or evening ceremonies and when the Museum closes in the evening, the Ashmolean is exclusively yours. This means we can offer intimate ceremonies at any time through to impressive evening receptions, dinners and dances combined with outstanding hospitality and entertainment.
The Ashmolean’s majestic forecourt creates an entrance to remember. Inside, the grand staircase and its stunning gilded chandelier lead your guests into the Italian Renaissance and European Art Galleries for the ceremony or drinks reception. Reminiscent of an English country house, these galleries are filled with Old Master paintings and bronze sculptures.
On the ground floor, the majestic Sculpture Gallery is lined with Greek and Roman statues and presents a grand and impressive space for a ceremony, reception or banquet.
If you are looking to celebrate with your guests in a more contemporary space we have the Atrium; its soaring architectural staircase sweeps up through the heart of the Museum and offers the perfect opportunity for a dramatic entrance to a seated dinner or reception. We also have the beautifully light and contemporary Dining Room and Roof Terrace which allows for an outdoor space in the city and is perfect for an intimate ceremony, relaxed reception and dancing the night away.
The Ashmolean Museum has been inspiring minds and sharing people’s stories since 1683 and we want you to add yours. We understand that every wedding is different which is why our expert team are on hand to tailor your day. We pride ourselves on making your dream wedding a reality and ensuring you and your guest have a day to remember forever.
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
1682
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
8
The Ashmolean Museum Features & Capacity
Overview
Venue Type
City Hotel
Venue
Dining Capacity
152
Reception Capacity
900
Usual Access Time
08:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
01:00 AM
Late Night Extension
Yes
Ceremony & Reception
Church Within Walking Distance
Sound System Available
Wedding Licence
Dancefloor Available
Confetti Permitted
Venue
City View
Grade I/II Listed Building
Exclusive Use
Disabled Access
Outdoor Reception Space
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Food and Drink
Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
In-House Wine List
In-house Catering
Halal Catering
Alcohol Licence
Kosher Catering
Asian Catering
Cultural Specialists
Other
Jewish Wedding Specialist
Asian Wedding Specialist
The Ashmolean Museum Pricing & Costs
Venue Hire Only
Prices Start At
£2,250
Maximum Price
£9,000
All packages include a dedicated Wedding Manager from your first enquiry, and a dedicated Operations Manager with Events Assistants on the day.
CEREMONY & RECEPTION (from £8,130)
Have your guests welcomed into the Museum via our iconic neo-classical forecourt and up the Grand Staircase to the beautiful European Art Gallery where your ceremony will take place.
Following the ceremony and confetti on our forecourt, you and your guests will 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.
CEREMONIES & BLESSINGS ONLY (from £2,250)
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 (from £7,260)
For couples who would like to host their reception 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 (from £3,480)
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.
What is included in this pricing:
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Choice of preferred caterers
Private room(s) included (non-exclusive use)
In-house catering(price per head)
Prices Start At
£90
Maximum Price
£155
What is included in this pricing:
Menu tasting included
Table linen included
Multiple course wedding breakfast
Cutlery included
Wine allowance per guest
Minimum numbers apply
Corkage charge applicable
Bespoke menu available
Ashmolean Museum Wedding Showcase
12th October 2024
Saturday 12 October, 6–8pm
Join us for an inspiring evening showcasing the beautiful and unique spaces available for your dream wedding.
https://www.ashmolean.org/event/wedding-showcase-oct-2024
Gallery
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs
Describe the best wedding that happened at The Ashmolean Museum?
Zoe de Toledo and Alex Woods. They met at Oxford university and shared a passion for rowing. They both regularly attend after hour events at The Ashmolean and thought celebrating their special day at the museum was only right. It was a magnificent day.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
At the Ashmolean we know how important your wedding is, and understand that for many reasons some guests may not be able to be with you on the day. Now everyone can take part. We can help you to share this special time with your friends and family wherever they are in the world so that they can join in the excitement and emotion as if they were with you in the room. Our discrete and professional live streaming service is the perfect way to include all your loved ones and to ensure that they don’t miss a moment. The final bonus is that we give you a copy of the stream to keep forever – a wonderful way to save the memory of your perfect day! We have the experience, so leave it to us to arrange it with our technology partner.
Describe The Ashmolean Museum in 5 adjectives
Unique, Stunning, historical, beautiful, romantic.
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.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at The Ashmolean Museum?
All of our guests are special to us at the Ashmolean and we are honoured to have hosted the late Queen Elizabeth in 2009 as she opened up the new museum.
What’s your favourite canapé?
Our exclusive catering partner create food with passion, their ingredients are sustainably sourced, showcasing the best seasonal produce, beautifully designed and provides an extraordinary culinary experience to inspire you and your guests.
My personal favourite is Smoked Salmon Mousse Canapés.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Ice cream and melted chocolate brownies.
What is The Ashmolean Museum most unique feature?
The Ashmolean has been telling stories since 1683 not many venues can say they have thousands of years worth of history within their walls.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our ability to adapt and make dreams come true.
Press & Awards
All our awards & press mentions