The Bodleian Library

(34)
£2,900 - £12,000 for Venue Hire
Up to 120
Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
Set in the heart of the 'city of the dreaming spires', the Bodleian Libraries are a historic venue steeped in romance and elegance.
The Bodleian Library Pricing & Costs

Venue Hire Only

Prices Start At
£2,900
Maximum Price
£12,000
Ceremony only package from £2900, which includes venue hire, experienced Wedding Coordinator offering venue & supplier guidance, dedicated venue staff on the day and a private entrance to the Bodleian for your guests. Ceremony & reception OR reception only packages from £9000. This includes venue hire, experienced Wedding Coordinator offering venue & supplier guidance, dedicated venue Staff on the day, private entrance to the Bodleian for your guests and audio set-up and uplighters for your Band or DJ. These are our recommended packages, but we can create bespoke packages to suit your day.
What is included in this pricing:
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
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The Bodleian Library Features & Capacity

Overview

Venue Type
Museum
Attraction
Dining Capacity
120
Reception Capacity
150
Usual Finish Time
01:00 AM

Ceremony & Reception

Church Within Walking Distance
Wedding Licence
Dancefloor Available
Sound System Available

Venue

City View
Grade I/II Listed Building
Exclusive Use
Disabled Access
Ballroom
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Outdoor Reception Space

Food and Drink

Alcohol Licence

Cultural Specialists

Other
The Bodleian Library Full Description
In the Old Bodleian Library, both the grand Divinity School and classic Convocation House are available for private hire, giving couples the chance to enjoy these spectacular spaces on the most special day of their lives. Whether a small and intimate ceremony, or a jubilant celebration with all of your friends and family, the Bodleian Libraries will provide the most magnificent backdrop to your wedding day. Upon entering the Old Bodleian, you are welcomed by the warm stone walls surrounding the Old Schools Quadrangle. With their intricate detail lit up by the beaming natural sunlight, this provides the perfect setting for any drink receptions. Leading in from the Old Schools Quad is our distinguished Divinity School: our grandest room that can be used for both ceremonies and wedding receptions. Completed in 1488, it is a masterpiece of late gothic architecture with a magnificent stone carved ceiling. The great arched windows down both sides create shafts of light giving a dramatic effect to any celebration. Adjoining the Divinity School, Convocation House was added in 1637 to provide a distinguished meeting place for the University's supreme governing body. The wooden tiered seating arranged around the room creates a chapel-like setting. Complimented by the excellent natural acoustics, this room is an idea setting for civil ceremonies and partnerships. The Bodleian's Events team recognize that no two weddings are the same and will help to provide a friendly and professional service. We help tailor your day to suit your budget and tastes.

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Kate del Nevo, Rachael Evans & Isi Webb-Jenkins
We work jointly to respond to enquiries, find couples their perfect wedding date, guide couples through the wedding planning process and are there on the day to oversee set up and greet every couple. We love meeting wedding couples and helping them create their dream wedding in the truly unique setting of the Divinity School. Every time we walk into the room it never fails to put a smile on our faces and we feel so lucky to work at such an incredible venue!

Experience

Year Business Was Established
1487
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
3
Reviews
(34)
Eleanor Veness
Happy couple married in September
November 2023
Harry & Eleanor - 30.09.23
Rachael and team at the Bodleian Libraries proved themselves to be a truly outstanding venue. My husband and I had our wedding ceremony in The Divinity School, a breath-taking historic space in which beautiful memories are created and treasured for a lifetime. The Bodleian Libraries weddings team are meticulous in helping to coordinate the logistics of your ceremony and ensure everything is clearly communicated; not a stone left unturned! We had the drinks reception in the courtyard outside the Wren Door. Together with the setting and perfect level of friendliness and professionalism, both bride and groom and all the guests had an unforgettable day. Thank you to the Bodleian Libraries for accommodating us so well; thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Hannah & Elliot
Happy couple married in October
October 2022
The most beautiful venue in Oxford!
We got married in Convocation House at the Bodleian Library, and it really is the most beautiful space to get married in Oxford. It somehow manages to be such a grand room, but also feel incredibly intimate with the fixed benches facing inwards. It was incredibly special to get married here surrounded by our friends and family who were suitable impressed! The team at the Bod work extremely hard to communicate prior to the wedding, so all the details on the day can be delivered, and it really was perfect. Looking back at our wedding, our ceremony actually ended up being our favourite bit, and I think the Bodleian has a lot to owe to that. So thank you so much!
rah
Happy couple married in August
October 2022
Absolutely wonderful
Our wedding ceremony in Convocation House was just perfect. The venue is obviously beautiful, we just fell in love with the space as soon as we saw it! We only had around 35 guests, but the room felt intimate and welcoming. The events team went above and beyond – they were considerate, kind and helpful – making the whole process easy, straight forward and smooth running on the day. We honestly couldn’t recommend the Bodleian enough – book a show round and go see the space for yourselves - you will love it too, I’m sure!
A&P
Happy couple married in December
December 2021
We would recommend the venue and incredible staff to anyone!
The Bodleian Library is an incredible venue. The staff were supportive, understanding and flexible through our (Covid-related) repeated changes to the date. The Bodleian team made all of the venue logistics simple, even when changes were required. On the day, the communication was spot on, allowing for set-up with zero worry and it provided a great start to a fantastic day. We would recommend the venue (and the incredible staff) to anyone!
C&J
Happy couple married in November
December 2021
We could not have wished for any more
Our wedding at the Bodleian Library was perfect, from the planning to the actual day the Bodleian team were incredibly helpful and professional, we could not have wished for any more. The venue itself is spectacular, beautiful, and amazingly well suited for a wedding of any size - we would highly recommend it to anyone!
W&D
Happy couple married in October
December 2021
The support was second to none
We chose Convocation House and the Divinity School for our civil partnership ceremony and celebration because we are both writers and have Oxford connections. Being able to make our personal history one small part of the river of history that runs through these beautiful places was an honour and a privilege. Being surrounded by millions of books was the icing on the cake. The support we got at every stage of viewing, booking, planning and holding our civil partnership and celebration at the Bodleian was second to none. The Bodleian is an outstanding place and very special to us – we considered no other for our day – but it clearly also attracts the very talented staff it deserves to take care of it and the people who choose it because it is so rare.
The Bodleian Library Location & Contact Details

Address

Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3BG, England

Nearest Town

Oxford

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M40

Nearest Train Station

Oxford Station

Nearest Airport

Heathrow

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The Bodleian Library Press & Awards
(9)

Press & Awards (6)

Perfect Wedding Magazine
Brides Magazine

Industry Awards (1)

Best Wedding Reception Venue 2020 - South East England by SME-News

Accreditations (1)

AIM Secure

Bridebook Awards (1)

Frequently Asked Questions
(10)

Describe the best wedding that happened at The Bodleian Library?

'We had a truly magical winter wedding. The ceremony was conducted in the Divinity School and guests were seated on beautiful French Louis style chairs. The reception drinks were held in the Sheldonian where a string quartet played & whose roof had been decorated with metallic balloons. Guests then walk through the beautifully lit quad and back into the Divinity school, which had been transformed with long tables and amazing floral displays forming ‘puddles’ at the end of each row of tables. After dinner the guests went back to the Sheldonian to party and enjoyed themed cocktails.'

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

'Be creative and enjoy the process' - Kate /// 'Always do what you want to do and try not to feel as though you have to please everyone attending - it is your wedding day! Guests are kept most happy when they are fed and watered regularly, but also when they see you happy!' - Rachael

What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?

'Table names: A different location on each table to represent a place where the couple have travelled together.' - Isi /// 'Booked themed table centres' - Kate

Describe The Bodleian Library in 5 adjectives

Unique, magical, intimate, historical, atmospheric

Where’s the best photo spot at The Bodleian Library?

'The wren door, or walking through the Divinity School doors' - Kate 'The outdoor stairs across the quads which are framed with pillars' - Rachael

Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at The Bodleian Library?

Yes (our lips are sealed though!)

What’s your favourite canapé?

'Honey glazed, mustard cocktail sausages' - Isi /// 'Fish & chip cones' - Kate

What’s your favourite midnight treat?

'Cake!' - Rachael /// 'Cheese' - Kate

What is The Bodleian Library most unique feature?

'It of course has to be the ceiling!' - Kate

What part of your business are you most proud of?

The team’s incredible work ethic and the ability to engage with the couples in a professional manner but always with a personal touch!