The world’s oldest public museum, in Oxford, has been hosting weddings in its galleries and events spaces since 2007
Image gallery
Image gallery
Located in the heart of Oxford and with more than 60 galleries to choose from, there is a wealth of opportunity to make your wedding wow at The Ashmolean.
Oxford-based owners of Frog Orange Balloons, Beck and Lucy, were the first couple to exchange vows against the backdrop which boasts half a million years of art and history.
Beck and Lucy got together in London in 1999. Beck, a professional violinist, and Lucy, cartoonist and animator, settled in Oxford and tied the knot at The Ashmolean.
Lucy says: “Back in those days there were very few venues that would allow a same sex couple to carry out a ceremony such as ours. Our ceremony took place in the European Art Gallery.
"The wedding planner gave us the genius idea of going up in the lift before the ceremony and then surprising our guests by descending via the rather dramatic staircase accompanied by our saxophonist playing ‘I Want To Be Loved By You’.
“Beck’s family has a long history in the antiques and antique jewellery business, with some of the family’s treasures exhibited in The Ashmolean.”
Beck says: “It was a wonderful day and the venue could not have been more perfect. In a world where same sex couples were not always accepted, we always felt warmly welcomed by The Ashmolean.”
The Ashmolean is also inviting newly-engaged couples to join the team for a glass of bubbly to celebrate more than ten years of hosting weddings at the Ashmolean After Hours event on the eve of Pride Day on Friday 31st May.
The museum is also running a competition for couples to win a case of bubbly or wine on the night. For details, tickets and booking information, visit The Ashmolean website.
Credits:
Venue: Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH
Wedding planner: Stacey Puffer
Photography: Philippa James
Cake: Lulu’s Little Oxford Kitchen
Balloons: Lucy and Beck at Frog Orange Balloons
