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Price: £3,500 – £12,000
Guests: 120
Deals available: 1
Limited-Time Offers & Deals (1)
Description
Description
In the Old Bodleian Library, both the grand Divinity School and classic Convocation House are available for private hire, giving couples the chance to enjoy these spectacular spaces on the most special day of their lives. Whether a small and intimate ceremony, or a jubilant celebration with all of your friends and family, the Bodleian Libraries will provide the most magnificent backdrop to your wedding day.
Upon entering the Old Bodleian, you are welcomed by the warm stone walls surrounding the Old Schools Quadrangle. With their intricate detail lit up by the beaming natural sunlight, this provides the perfect setting for any drink receptions.
Leading in from the Old Schools Quad is our distinguished Divinity School: our grandest room that can be used for both ceremonies and wedding receptions. Completed in 1488, it is a masterpiece of late gothic architecture with a magnificent stone carved ceiling. The great arched windows down both sides create shafts of light giving a dramatic effect to any celebration.
Adjoining the Divinity School, Convocation House was added in 1637 to provide a distinguished meeting place for the University's supreme governing body. The wooden tiered seating arranged around the room creates a chapel-like setting. Complimented by the excellent natural acoustics, this room is an idea setting for civil ceremonies and partnerships.
The Bodleian's Events team recognize that no two weddings are the same and will help to provide a friendly and professional service. We help tailor your day to suit your budget and tastes.
Message from the team
Name of Wedding Contact: Kate del Nevo, Rachael Evans & Isi Webb-Jenkins
We work jointly to respond to enquiries, find couples their perfect wedding date, guide couples through the wedding planning process and are there on the day to oversee set up and greet every couple. We love meeting wedding couples and helping them create their dream wedding in the truly unique setting of the Divinity School. Every time we walk into the room it never fails to put a smile on our faces and we feel so lucky to work at such an incredible venue!
Experience
Year Business Was Established
1486
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
3
Overview of The Bodleian Library
Wedding Venue Type
Museum / Attraction
Wedding Venue Capacity
Dining Capacity
120
Reception Capacity
150
Pricing for The Bodleian Library
Pricing for The Bodleian Library
What's Included?
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Ceremony only package from £3500, which includes venue hire, experienced Wedding Coordinator offering venue & supplier guidance, dedicated venue staff on the day and a private entrance to the Bodleian for your guests.
Ceremony & reception OR reception only packages from £10900. This includes venue hire, experienced Wedding Coordinator offering venue & supplier guidance, dedicated venue Staff on the day, private entrance to the Bodleian for your guests and audio set-up and uplighters for your Band or DJ.
These are our recommended packages, but we can create bespoke packages to suit your day.
Hide detailsReviews (34)
- EEleanor Veness04/11/2023Harry & Eleanor - 30.09.23Harry & Eleanor - 30.09.23Rachael and team at the Bodleian Libraries proved themselves to be a truly outstanding venue. My husband and I had our wedding ceremony in The Divinity School, a breath-taking historic space in which beautiful memories are created and treasured for a lifetime. The Bodleian Libraries weddings team are meticulous in helping to coordinate the logistics of your ceremony and ensure everything is clearly communicated; not a stone left unturned! We had the drinks reception in the courtyard outside the Wren Door. Together with the setting and perfect level of friendliness and professionalism, both bride and groom and all the guests had an unforgettable day. Thank you to the Bodleian Libraries for accommodating us so well; thank you from the bottom of our hearts!Rachael and team at the Bodleian Libraries proved themselves to be a truly outstanding venue. My husband and I had our wedding ceremony in The Divinity School, a breath-taking historic space in which beautiful memories are created and treasured for a lifetime. The Bodleian Libraries weddings team are meticulous in helping to coordinate the logistics of your ceremony and ensure everything is clearly communicated; not a stone left unturned! We had the drinks reception in the courtyard outside the Wren Door. Together with the setting and perfect level of friendliness and professionalism, both bride and groom and all the guests had an unforgettable day. Thank you to the Bodleian Libraries for accommodating us so well; thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
- HHannah & Elliot30/10/2022The most beautiful venue in Oxford!The most beautiful venue in Oxford!We got married in Convocation House at the Bodleian Library, and it really is the most beautiful space to get married in Oxford. It somehow manages to be such a grand room, but also feel incredibly intimate with the fixed benches facing inwards. It was incredibly special to get married here surrounded by our friends and family who were suitable impressed! The team at the Bod work extremely hard to communicate prior to the wedding, so all the details on the day can be delivered, and it really was perfect. Looking back at our wedding, our ceremony actually ended up being our favourite bit, and I think the Bodleian has a lot to owe to that. So thank you so much! We got married in Convocation House at the Bodleian Library, and it really is the most beautiful space to get married in Oxford. It somehow manages to be such a grand room, but also feel incredibly intimate with the fixed benches facing inwards. It was incredibly special to get married here surrounded by our friends and family who were suitable impressed! The team at the Bod work extremely hard to communicate prior to the wedding, so all the details on the day can be delivered, and it really was perfect. Looking back at our wedding, our ceremony actually ended up being our favourite bit, and I think the Bodleian has a lot to owe to that. So thank you so much!
- rrah25/10/2022Absolutely wonderfulAbsolutely wonderfulOur wedding ceremony in Convocation House was just perfect. The venue is obviously beautiful, we just fell in love with the space as soon as we saw it! We only had around 35 guests, but the room felt intimate and welcoming. The events team went above and beyond – they were considerate, kind and helpful – making the whole process easy, straight forward and smooth running on the day. We honestly couldn’t recommend the Bodleian enough – book a show round and go see the space for yourselves - you will love it too, I’m sure!Our wedding ceremony in Convocation House was just perfect. The venue is obviously beautiful, we just fell in love with the space as soon as we saw it! We only had around 35 guests, but the room felt intimate and welcoming. The events team went above and beyond – they were considerate, kind and helpful – making the whole process easy, straight forward and smooth running on the day. We honestly couldn’t recommend the Bodleian enough – book a show round and go see the space for yourselves - you will love it too, I’m sure!
- AA&P09/12/2021We would recommend the venue and incredible staff to anyone!We would recommend the venue and incredible staff to anyone!The Bodleian Library is an incredible venue. The staff were supportive, understanding and flexible through our (Covid-related) repeated changes to the date. The Bodleian team made all of the venue logistics simple, even when changes were required. On the day, the communication was spot on, allowing for set-up with zero worry and it provided a great start to a fantastic day. We would recommend the venue (and the incredible staff) to anyone!The Bodleian Library is an incredible venue. The staff were supportive, understanding and flexible through our (Covid-related) repeated changes to the date. The Bodleian team made all of the venue logistics simple, even when changes were required. On the day, the communication was spot on, allowing for set-up with zero worry and it provided a great start to a fantastic day. We would recommend the venue (and the incredible staff) to anyone!
- AA&J09/12/2021All requests met with positivity and passionAll requests met with positivity and passionFrom the moment we enquired with the team we felt so well informed and looked after - there is clearly a passion for what they do and offer! Planning a wedding over the past 19 months has been exceptionally challenging- lockdowns and restrictions have meant that we had to postpone twice but this process was made so simple with the support that we received from Kate and the team and we cannot thank them enough. All requests for details meetings were met with positivity and passion, even through the adverse conditions and no ask was too big. Fast forward to our day and I have never seen a venue look as stunning as the Bod did - it was magical and met with many gasps from the guests and messages from people that saw our photos. Thank you all again, we appreciated it all so very much!From the moment we enquired with the team we felt so well informed and looked after - there is clearly a passion for what they do and offer! Planning a wedding over the past 19 months has been exceptionally challenging- lockdowns and restrictions have meant that we had to postpone twice but this process was made so simple with the support that we received from Kate and the team and we cannot thank them enough. All requests for details meetings were met with positivity and passion, even through the adverse conditions and no ask was too big. Fast forward to our day and I have never seen a venue look as stunning as the Bod did - it was magical and met with many gasps from the guests and messages from people that saw our photos. Thank you all again, we appreciated it all so very much!
- AA&T09/12/2021We wouldn't have wanted it anywhere elseWe wouldn't have wanted it anywhere elseThe Bodleian Library was a fantastic location for our wedding - we wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. Hannah and the team were really responsive to any queries we had in the lead up. All the guests were wowed by the venue on the day, both the ceremony in Convocation House and reception in Divinity Schools.The Bodleian Library was a fantastic location for our wedding - we wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. Hannah and the team were really responsive to any queries we had in the lead up. All the guests were wowed by the venue on the day, both the ceremony in Convocation House and reception in Divinity Schools.
- AA&D09/12/2021Thank you Bodleian! Thank you Bodleian!The venue was amazing, and we wanted a city wedding so this was perfect for us! Hannah was very warm and welcoming, and made sure the whole day was planned down. She also helped to recommend suppliers when one of ours pulled out at the last minute (!) Overall, very good in the lead up and on the day management - thank you Bodleian!The venue was amazing, and we wanted a city wedding so this was perfect for us! Hannah was very warm and welcoming, and made sure the whole day was planned down. She also helped to recommend suppliers when one of ours pulled out at the last minute (!) Overall, very good in the lead up and on the day management - thank you Bodleian!
- WW&D09/12/2021The support was second to noneThe support was second to noneWe chose Convocation House and the Divinity School for our civil partnership ceremony and celebration because we are both writers and have Oxford connections. Being able to make our personal history one small part of the river of history that runs through these beautiful places was an honour and a privilege. Being surrounded by millions of books was the icing on the cake. The support we got at every stage of viewing, booking, planning and holding our civil partnership and celebration at the Bodleian was second to none. The Bodleian is an outstanding place and very special to us – we considered no other for our day – but it clearly also attracts the very talented staff it deserves to take care of it and the people who choose it because it is so rare.We chose Convocation House and the Divinity School for our civil partnership ceremony and celebration because we are both writers and have Oxford connections. Being able to make our personal history one small part of the river of history that runs through these beautiful places was an honour and a privilege. Being surrounded by millions of books was the icing on the cake. The support we got at every stage of viewing, booking, planning and holding our civil partnership and celebration at the Bodleian was second to none. The Bodleian is an outstanding place and very special to us – we considered no other for our day – but it clearly also attracts the very talented staff it deserves to take care of it and the people who choose it because it is so rare.
- CC&J09/12/2021We could not have wished for any moreWe could not have wished for any moreOur wedding at the Bodleian Library was perfect, from the planning to the actual day the Bodleian team were incredibly helpful and professional, we could not have wished for any more. The venue itself is spectacular, beautiful, and amazingly well suited for a wedding of any size - we would highly recommend it to anyone!Our wedding at the Bodleian Library was perfect, from the planning to the actual day the Bodleian team were incredibly helpful and professional, we could not have wished for any more. The venue itself is spectacular, beautiful, and amazingly well suited for a wedding of any size - we would highly recommend it to anyone!
- DD&M10/09/2021Best day of our livesBest day of our livesMuch like the building itself, the staff at the Bodleian could not be any better. Our wedding there was the best day of our lives by such a long way that it did not feel like we had left the earth for day. The staff at the Bodleian made every little thing happen exactly as we wanted it and also stepped in with recommendations for how to do things even better, all of which they were absolutely right about. They provide top quality service incredibly quickly and really do an amazing job of tailoring the event to match the personality of the couple, one of the most special things about our day was how well it reflected our love and personalities. What was especially impressive was that we live in Switzerland and we organised our wedding during a pandemic, but the team at the Bodleian were so good that everything was organised perfectly and the end result on the day means we are still riding the wave of happiness several days later. We cannot imagine two more lovely or professional people than Hannah and Kate. They are superhuman in their kindness as well as their incredible abilities to organise, manage and create the most amazing weddings. In the run-up and on the day itself everything was managed perfectly, we did not have to worry about a thing. We did not have to do anything afterwards, it was call taken care of. We will be coming back to have a blessing for our marriage on one of our wedding anniversaries and we cannot wait. A huge thank you from us!Much like the building itself, the staff at the Bodleian could not be any better. Our wedding there was the best day of our lives by such a long way that it did not feel like we had left the earth for day. The staff at the Bodleian made every little thing happen exactly as we wanted it and also stepped in with recommendations for how to do things even better, all of which they were absolutely right about. They provide top quality service incredibly quickly and really do an amazing job of tailoring the event to match the personality of the couple, one of the most special things about our day was how well it reflected our love and personalities. What was especially impressive was that we live in Switzerland and we organised our wedding during a pandemic, but the team at the Bodleian were so good that everything was organised perfectly and the end result on the day means we are still riding the wave of happiness several days later. We cannot imagine two more lovely or professional people than Hannah and Kate. They are superhuman in their kindness as well as their incredible abilities to organise, manage and create the most amazing weddings. In the run-up and on the day itself everything was managed perfectly, we did not have to worry about a thing. We did not have to do anything afterwards, it was call taken care of. We will be coming back to have a blessing for our marriage on one of our wedding anniversaries and we cannot wait. A huge thank you from us!
Location & Contact Details for The Bodleian Library
Location & Contact Details for The Bodleian Library
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FAQs
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Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
'We had a truly magical winter wedding. The ceremony was conducted in the Divinity School and guests were seated on beautiful French Louis style chairs. The reception drinks were held in the Sheldonian where a string quartet played & whose roof had been decorated with metallic balloons. Guests then walk through the beautifully lit quad and back into the Divinity school, which had been transformed with long tables and amazing floral displays forming ‘puddles’ at the end of each row of tables. After dinner the guests went back to the Sheldonian to party and enjoyed themed cocktails.'
What is your No.1 wedding planning tip for couples?
'Be creative and enjoy the process' - Kate
///
'Always do what you want to do and try not to feel as though you have to please everyone attending - it is your wedding day! Guests are kept most happy when they are fed and watered regularly, but also when they see you happy!' - Rachael
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
'Table names: A different location on each table to represent a place where the couple have travelled together.' - Isi
/// 'Booked themed table centres' - Kate
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Unique, magical, intimate, historical, atmospheric
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
'The wren door, or walking through the Divinity School doors' - Kate
'The outdoor stairs across the quads which are framed with pillars' - Rachael
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
Yes (our lips are sealed though!)
What’s your favourite canapé?
'Honey glazed, mustard cocktail sausages' - Isi
/// 'Fish & chip cones' - Kate
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
'Cake!' - Rachael
/// 'Cheese' - Kate
What is your venue's most unique feature?
'It of course has to be the ceiling!' - Kate
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The team’s incredible work ethic and the ability to engage with the couples in a professional manner but always with a personal touch!
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