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