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

Overview of The Ashmolean Museum

Wedding Venue Type

City Hotel / Venue

Wedding Venue Capacity

Dining Capacity

152

Reception Capacity

900

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Church Within Walking Distance

Sound System Available

Wedding Licence

Wedding Venue Details

City View

Grade I/II Listed Building

Exclusive Use

Wedding Catering

Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol

In-House Wine List

In-house Catering

Cultural Specialists

Other

Jewish Wedding Specialist

Asian Wedding Specialist

Pricing for The Ashmolean Museum

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

Reviews for The Ashmolean Museum
(25)

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.

Abi & John

Happy couple married in September

January 2023

'Magical, exciting and special'

Our wedding day at the Ashmolean was magical, exciting and special. The Ashmolean staff were wonderful. Most of my nerves evaporated as soon as I arrived as the staff put me immediately at ease and I was able to relax and enjoy the experience. It was so well organised and everything flowed perfectly! I would highly recommend The Ashmolean Museum for weddings. It is such an iconic venue which requires no extra effort to decorate as it is beautiful inside and out.

Amelia & Jack

Happy couple married in August

January 2023

'Everything we hoped it would be'

Our wedding day at the Ashmolean was everything we hoped it would be. The venue was beautiful, of course, and the staff on the day made sure everything was seamless and ran smoothly. The attention to detail was superb, and having so many members of staff there on the day made us feel reassured, and we felt that everyone really cared about our day being a success. It was a perfect day, and we would highly recommend the Ashmolean as a memorable and special venue for a wedding.

Nicola at Hanami Dream

Wedding: June

December 2020

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

Location & Contact Details for The Ashmolean Museum

Wedding Venue Address

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

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Phone

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FAQs

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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.

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