About Oxford
Oxford, UK is known as the playground of writers, poets and scholars. First settled by the Anglo-Saxons, Oxford has over 1000 years of rich history as a city. In fact, the first purpose-built museum in England resides in Oxford, completed in 1683, named The Ashmolean Museum of Art + Architecture. Oxford also holds the title for “oldest university in England.” This historic city is famous for its great architecture, including the City of Spires, the Bridge of Sighs and the Bodleian Libraries. Each building echoes the presence of great grandeur, seeming larger than life.
Picking Oxford as a wedding venue location would definitely add lustre to any union. Let us guide you through some of the best options for your Oxford nuptials!
Wedding Venue Options in Oxford
As prestigious as Oxford is from a bird's eye view, the people of Oxford are here to help put together all of the small details for your wedding day! From dress shopping to DJs, Oxford’s got it covered.
- Wedding Officiant
A suitable ordained hand-selected person or minister is something each and every wedding needs. The wedding officiant must be ordained to follow the marriage requirements set by the law. Not only is an officiant required during the marriage ceremony, but they also fulfill the duty to make sure all documents are filed and signed, stating the marriage and marriage license are valid.
- DJ/Music
If you’re planning on making your special day a celebration that lasts into the night, one fun factor to include would be a DJ to play out some tunes! Nothing brings a crowd together like a few dance moves they’ve taken out of the closet. If you’ve got the right DJ, you can expect a light-hearted celebration with all of your close loved ones on your special day.
- Dress Shops
On the list of important aspects that go into a wedding, right near the top is the dress. When you walk into a dress shop, not only is the number one goal finding the right dress, but the experience that comes along with it matters, too! Out of all of the dress shops, there will always be the special ones who really put the effort into making sure you come out with all of your needs met. The goal is to sift through and find the right fit -- literally and figuratively.
- Photographer/Videographer
During your wedding, all eyes are on you! A simple way to cherish that memory forever is to have a present professional photographer or videographer there storing that memory on a disk or photo so you can relive it as many times as you would like. If you have a large family, or extended family friends who cannot make the wedding, giving them a physical copy of the wedding can make them feel a part of your special day.
Wedding Venue Companies in Bristol
- The Bridal Box
Located in the heart of Oxford, The Bridal Box has been operating since 1991. With over 30 year’s experience, this boutique knows how to help women achieve their dream look at their wedding. Not only do they assist the bride, but they also carry a range of “Mother of the Bride” dresses. The Bridal Box makes it very clear they are here for the whole experience of picking out the perfect dress, right up until the last fitting when your custom dress is complete.
- Potters Instinct Photography
Potters Instinct Photography is run by a one-man show, named Kevin. Kevin has spent many years taking care of his vision and craft in photography, and is a self-taught artist of the lens. Based in Oxford, Kevin likes to get to know his clients so that he makes sure he can capture their energy right through the screen. If you are a client of Kevin’s, he promises to encapsulate your best moments in a pictures worth far more than a thousand words.
- Incandescence
Incandescence has been run by a man named Dave for 30 years. David is a flexible and personable DJ who takes the time to get to know you as a couple so he can formally curate the perfect ambience of songs to suit you and your needs. Not only will he create the right playlist of songs for your ambience, but Dave also gives the option of many other special effects. These include speech recordings, mood lighting, light-up dance floors, and more. Set the full mood with Incandescence DJ services!
Pros and cons of Wedding Venues in Oxford
Naturally, there are always ups and downs while planning a wedding, so we’ve put together a list of pros and cons of having your wedding venue held in Oxford, UK to help you out along the way.
Advantages
- Architecture
Stepping one foot in Oxford, UK is just like stepping into a classic movie. The small city has been perfectly preserved from the past. The Medieval and neo-classical buildings command attention and create the perfect backdrop for photos!
- Smaller City
If you’re up for a city wedding but don’t want all the hustle and bustle, Oxford is the city for you. It perfectly combines a high-profile venue with the quietness of only 150,000 inhabitants.
- Weather
Oxford is located in a drier part of England. If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding, this would be a great location to take the chance on a clear, sunny day. Typically, July is the driest month of the year, while December through February are the coldest and most wet.
- Pristine Landscape
Oxford countryside is beautifully conducted with small hills of greenery, hidden lakes and many lush gardens making it very eye-pleasing. You can get the best of both worlds between city and country in Oxford.
Disadvantages
- High Cost of Living
Although Oxford is a smaller city, the cost of living is very expensive. Oxford has reached the 2nd most expensive city to live in England and chances are you’ll see this reflected in the cost of amenities.
- Possible language barriers
Oxford is very multicultural as a city. There is a possible language barrier between English-speaking persons and persons who have immigrated there from around the world. Some languages you can expect to find in Oxford include French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- One-Third of the Population are students
With there only being 150,000 people living in Oxford, one-third of that population are actually students aged 18-29. This could mean less selection when it comes to curating the perfect wedding team, as many are there in school studying.
- Not car-friendly
Oxford roads are not set up for driving your own car. Traffic is often very slow, and parking is almost nonexistent because the city chooses to rely on busses and bikes. When planning your wedding, this is not an ideal situation.
Famous Locations in Oxford
- The Radcliffe Camera
Residing in the central part of Oxford, Radcliffe Square. The Radcliffe Camera is a round, neoclassical building built from 1737-1749. Contrary to its name, the Radcliffe Camera’s function is actually a student library and it is a part of the Old Bodleian Library. Surrounded by cobblestone roads, this century-old craftsman building is a stunning centrepiece to the square surrounded by monuments from many different periods of time.
- University of Oxford
Here we have the world's oldest native English-speaking University. The University of Oxford has existed for so long, the founding date is unknown. However, there is evidence to suggest it was in use all the way back in 1086! The building style leans towards English-Gothic and it is quite the masterpiece. Students and filmmakers come from far and wide to attend and be in the presence of this prestigious school.
- Ashmolean Museum
Founded in 1683, The Ashmolean Museum takes number one place as the oldest museum in England and is a historic landmark. Specializing in Art and Architecture, the collection includes Far Eastern Art, Greek and Roman poetry, a substantial amount of rare Jewelry, and even Egyptian mummies! The museum hosts many different events several times a week.