Wedding receptions

Eat, drink and celebrate

Celebrate your special day by holding your wedding reception at one of our wonderful venues. If you are looking for an attractive, affordable, and relaxed venue space in Oxford then why not opt for the exclusive hire of Osler House including the use of the patio and gardens? Alternatively, if you’re looking for the full Oxford experience, why not hire the Examination Schools’ stunning rooms or choose the Sheldonian Theatre for a reception alongside a banquet at the Bodleian Library?

We understand that no two weddings are the same. Our stunning venues provide couples with the perfect balance of an immaculate reception space with the added flexibility to style the venue to suit their bespoke taste if they wish.

Would you like to find out more?

Take a look below for a peek into our individual venues and their key details. Our events team will work with you to create a bespoke package to match your needs and ensure that your reception runs smoothly, living up to your every expectation. Please note, we do not hold a license to host ceremonies at our venues, but we are close to Oxford’s registry office, and many other fabulous ceremony-holding venues, including Oxford colleges. To enquire, receive more information or book a venue visit, please call us on +44 (0)1865 276905 and we will be thrilled to talk to you.

Examination Schools reception package

From £5,114.00

Grade II listed and seamlessly presented, the Examination Schools offer the perfect grand, fairy tale setting for your wedding reception.

The Examination Schools are as visually stunning inside as it they are outside offering plenty of beautiful and interesting photography options, suiting both a traditional or modern, urban feel!

The venue is beautifully presented inside and out, with elegant sweeping staircases, mosaic floors, Italian marble columns, panelled rooms, and ornate leaded-glass windows overlooking the quintessential Oxford outdoor quadrangle. As the name suggests, this grand building is home to Oxford University’s examinations and is steeped in over 140 years of history.

Welcome guests into the Great Hallway and enjoy a drinks reception in this impressive space. For an open-air drinks reception consider fizz and canapés in the Quad surrounded by stunning Oxford architecture.

For an intimate reception, sit down to your wedding menu in the elegant ground floor rooms – complete with leaded windows and impressive tiled fireplaces.

For a grander affair, seat up to 340 guests in the impressive upstairs North or South Schools with their high, decorative ceilings, historical portraits, and heavy ornate doors for you to make that all-important entrance as newlyweds.

The venue will later be transformed into an open dance floor so you can soak up the atmosphere of the day and dance the night away with your guests.

Need to know

Capacity: 50 – 340

Availability:  we have availability throughout the year, however best availability is during University vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, and Summer).

Our venue hire package includes 14 hours of hire from 10am until midnight, plus three hours the following day for any breakdown time required. Additional hire time is possible and is charged on an hourly basis. The 2022 starting rate for venue hire is: £5,114.

Accessibility: Fully accessible via a lift to the first floor and ramped access into the venue.

Facilities: PA and basic lighting options included along with event furniture. We are happy to engage the services of suppliers to provide enhanced facilities depending on your needs.

Catering: Is provided by our dedicated catering partner. We are unable to permit external caterers to service the venue. Three-course wedding breakfasts including half a bottle of house wine, start from £73 & VAT pp in 2022.

Osler House reception package

From £3,539.00

If you are looking for an attractive, affordable and relaxed venue space in Oxford then opt for the exclusive hire of Osler House including the use of the patio and gardens. Located in Headington, the art-deco inspired Osler House is set away from the hustle and bustle, and is a beautiful blank canvas for couples looking to add their own bespoke styling to their wedding decor. Couples are invited to bring props and decorations into the venue, and be creative with the space to suit personal style.

Choose from a range of catering styles from our award-winning chefs to suit your reception, from three-course sit-down dining to buffet and bowl food options.

We invite couples to visit Osler to step into the space and imagine their special day. We can suggest, and coordinate, local suppliers who can bring your ideas and vision to life.

Need to know

Availability: we have availability throughout the year, however best availability is during University vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, and Summer).

Our venue hire package includes 14 hours of hire from 10am until midnight, plus three hours the following day for any breakdown time required. Additional hire time is possible and is charged on an hourly basis. The 2022 starting rate for venue hire is: £3,539.

Accessibility: Fully accessible throughout.

Facilities: PA and basic lighting options are included along with event furniture. We are happy to engage the services of suppliers to provide enhanced facilities depending on your needs.

Catering: Is provided by our dedicated catering partner. We are unable to permit external caterers to service the venue. Three-course wedding breakfasts including half a bottle of house wine, start from £73 & VAT pp in 2022.

Sheldonian Theatre drinks reception or evening dancing

On request from Bodleian Library Weddings

A unique and beautiful wedding reception venue, the Grade I listed Sheldonian Theatre is a place of beauty and tranquillity set in the midst of Oxford University’s oldest buildings.  It is our pleasure to partner with the Bodleian Library just across the quad and offer the Sheldonian Theatre for drinks receptions and evening dancing as part of the Bodleian wedding packages – a luxurious choice for couples wishing to share their day across two iconic venues. Feel rest assured you are in safe hands as our events team work seamlessly with the Bodleain ensuring couples have the most perfect day imaginable. Give guests a unique experience as they enjoy canapes and drinks in the stunning setting and look out over the ‘dreaming spires’ skyline from the cupola.

A favourite with University alumni and couples wishing to celebrate their magical day under the famous painted ceiling. Couples are invited to enjoy the theatre as it is, or transform the space with furniture hire and decorations to bring your unique style to this famous building.

Oh, and the photograph opportunities are endless!  Take a quiet moment away to soak up the romance and magic of the day with couple photos in the architecturally stunning quad and within the theatre.

Please speak directly to the Bodleian Library Wedding team to find out more about their wedding packages, including ceremonies and wedding breakfasts.

Need to know

Sheldonian Capacity: 60-220

Availability: Minimum hire time of four hours.

Accessibility: Ground floor fully accessible. Attic and Cupola accessible by staircase only.

Facilities: PA and basic lighting options included.