Track 4:


Venues for marriage vows

Oxfordshire has so many wonderful wedding 
venues that the biggest problem you will face is 
choosing the right one! We hope the following 
tips can make your task less daunting. 
First and foremost, your choice will be 
influenced by where you tie the knot. If you 
marry in a registration office then you will need a venue in which to celebrate 
afterwards. 

However, if you would prefer to 
marry in one of the county’s approved venues, you can have your ceremony 
and celebration in the same place, thereby 
removing any worry and cost associated with 
travel from one venue to another. Below is a list 
of all the different types of venues in which you 
can either do the whole thing or celebrate in 
after your registration office marriage.

City hotels and restaurants.
 
If you want a more modern, urban 
wedding celebration, a hotel or restaurant 
in Oxford can be a wonderful choice. 
An added bonus is that guests will have 
a wider choice of easily accessible 
accommodation, either at your venue (if appropriate) or 
at a hotel or B&B that suits their budget. They can also 
enjoy good transport links too and from the venue or even 
walk if they fancy some exercise!
 
Country hotels.

From old Cotswold-stone buildings to 
riverside hotels, there is a wide choice 
of venues in the county. Country hotels 
provide a romantic setting and many have 
fantastic gardens for those important 
photographs. Depending on the size of both your party 
and the venue itself, you may have full reign on the day, 
away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Oxford colleges.
 
Oxford’s biggest claim to fame is its 
ancient university, so why not wed in one 
of its colleges? The architecture and 
gardens will provide a dramatic backdrop 
to your photos and the unusual 
atmosphere within their walls is perfect for that special 
day. Your guests will appreciate some of the city’s tradition 
at first hand and you will have wonderfully central, but 
interestingly peaceful, surroundings in which to celebrate. 

Stately homes.
 
Imagine having access to a fantastic 
stately home for longer than a guided 
tour; your wedding could be your chance 
to do so. Prices might be higher than 
at other venues but, if you fancy being 
Lord and Lady of the Manor for a few hours or more, 
what better day to choose than this, potentially the most 
important day of your life? 

 Top tips for choosing your dream venue.

1. Each venue will have its own atmosphere 
charm and feel, so make sure you visit 
several before making up your mind. 

2. Will you have unlimited access to the venue’s 
facilities during your wedding day? 

3. If any of your guests has mobility problems 
will the venue still be suitable? 

4. Are there any facilities for children? 

5. Is there sufficient parking? 

6. What sort of accommodation can they offer, 
if appropriate, and do they offer guests a 
discount? 

7. Is the venue easy to find? Are there suitable 
or adequate signposts? 

Oxfordshire Registration Service Ceremony Rooms.

Oxfordshire Registration Service is able to offer eight ceremony rooms across the county, these are in 
Abingdon, Banbury, Bister, Didcot, Henley, Oxford, Wantage and Witney. Availability and prices for 
weddings vary so you will need to call 0845 1 2 9 5 9 0 0. to talk to our Helpdesk to ensure we are able to 
meet your needs. All our offices have attractive marriage rooms, with quite different styles, to suit 
everyone’s requirements.

Abingdon ceremony room. 

School House, Bridge Street, Abingdon, Oxon, O X14, 3H U. 

The School House is a lovely room decorated in green and cream. 
This room is limited to 20 guests and offers an intimate 
setting for the smaller wedding. Disabled access is available and 
parking is in the town centre. 

Banbury ceremony room.
 
Bodicote House, Banbury, Oxon, O X15, 4A A. 

The ceremony room at Bodicote House, Banbury was the 
former dining room in the old manor house.  The room has 
recently been refurbished to enhance its traditional features 
and contains a stone fireplace and oak panels with a burgundy 
colour scheme.  The room holds up to 60 people, seating for 
39, and leads out on to a lovely garden, which is available for 
pictures. Parking and disabled access is very good. 

Bister ceremony room. 

Garth Park, Launton Road, Bister, Oxon, O X26, 6P S. 

This ceremony room is located in the award-winning Garth 
Park. The room is very light and airy with the park grounds 
outside where you can have pictures taken around the pond 
or on the bandstand. The room is traditionally decorated, 
has a long aisle and is ideal for larger weddings as it holds 
60 people. Parking and disabled access is very good. 

Didcot ceremony room. 

197 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon, O X11, 8R U. 

The Broadway Room is in the library building in Didcot. 
It is a purpose-built, modern ceremony room. It has recently 
been refurbished in a rich aubergine and cream, creating a 
very serene and tranquil atmosphere. This room is airy 
and is able to accommodate 45 people. Parking is good and 
disabled access is via a lift to the first floor. 

Henley ceremony room. 

Regatta Court, Northfield End, Henley-on-Thames, 
Oxon, R G9, 2Jay N.

Regatta Court is a purpose-built ceremony room. It is very 
light and airy and decorated in light colours. This room is 
able to accommodate larger weddings of up to 60 people 
and works well, as it has in and out doors allowing you to 
make your wedding private and keep your guests together. 
Parking and disabled access are both very good.
 
Oxford ceremony room.
 
Tidmarsh Lane, Oxford, O X1, 1N S.
 
The ceremony room in Oxford Register Office is a warm, 
intimate room with stained glass windows to the front 
and rear. It offers in and out doors and is ideally located for 
a city centre reception. The room is attractively decorated 
in cream and aubergine with decorative cornices and oak 
panelled walls and is licensed for 45 people. Public car parks 
are close by and disabled access is very good. 

Wantage ceremony room.

Portway,Wantage, Oxon, O X12, 9B X. 

There are three ceremony rooms available in the Civic Centre 
depending on the size of your wedding. All rooms are 
attractively decorated. The main room used is the Ridgeway 
Suite for up to 100 guests but if you are planning a really large 
wedding, you could book the King Alfred Suite which can seat 
up to 350 people. Parking and disabled access is very good.
 
Witney ceremony room.
 
Woodgreen,Witney, Oxon, O X28, 1N B. 

Two rooms are available in the district council offices at 
Woodgreen.  The Council Chamber is used for weddings on 
Fridays and holds 20 people, while the Windrush Room is 
available for weekend weddings and holds 50 people. 
Both rooms are attractive and the Windrush Room uses lilac 
and cream to create a warm atmosphere.  Woodgreen itself 
provides photographic opportunities. Parking and disabled 
access is very good.
 

