Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - October/November 2024 (Issue 109)

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY SOCIETY, AYLESBURY This heritage glass-roofed railway centre building is the original Oxford railway station, Rewley Road, which was dismantled and rebuilt here piece by piece. It’s situated in the Buckinghamshire countryside within 25 acres offering a stunning and unusual venue for weddings. It’s bright and airy with a relaxed atmosphere and the quirky, vintage backdrop differs from other venues. Couples can get married between beautifully restored vintage Victorian carriages and steam engines. Ceremonies and receptions for up to 150 guests take place at the far end of the station building with a large floor-to-ceiling window providing views of the surrounding countryside. There are several different seating and table options available and the tall glass ceiling that floods the venue with natural daylight looks fantastic styled with bunting or ribbon streamers. The large separate dancefloor is popular for those who like to boogie! There are 25 acres for guests to wander at their leisure and admire the heritage railway exhibits around the site, which give many wonderful and unique photographic opportunities. Couples can even hire a steam train for their guests to enjoy! This is a wedding venue that will stand out from the rest – one that loved ones will never forget. https://bucksrailcentre.org ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, OXFORD Set among Oxford’s dreaming spires, the Ashmolean Museum is an enchanting venue for weddings. The Grade 1 listed building houses a vast and varied collection of art and history spanning half a million years, providing a range of unique and romantic backdrops for a wedding celebration. The venue is located in the centre of Oxford so the backdrop of the city, with its honey-hued colleges, makes for an interesting walk if the ceremony is elsewhere, or gives couples the chance to have beautiful photos taken on the streets. As one of the oldest public museums in the world, with its grand entrance, sweeping staircases and a selection of historic galleries or contemporary spaces, the Ashmolean offers a choice of settings to suit varying kinds of celebrations. The grand and elegant façade will not fail to inspire guests as they arrive. The iconic portico and neoclassical architecture offer a fantastic opportunity for wedding photography and provide a beautiful backdrop for confetti following a ceremony. The forecourt, with the iconic museum backdrop, makes the perfect outdoor space for welcome drinks on a summer's evening. All of the Ashmolean Museum galleries are licensed for ceremonies. The majestic Greek & Roman Sculpture Gallery boasts high ceilings, and beautiful alcoves and is lined with classical sculptures, statues, and inscriptions, offering a dramatic and unique location for a ceremony of up to 120 guests. This space is usually used for dinner following a ceremony but can also be used for the ceremony itself. The European Art Gallery is a spacious ceremony room holding up to 90 guests that evokes the richness of a historic art collection in an English country estate. Surrounded by an incredible collection of Old Master paintings and impressive portraits, it provides the perfect backdrop of romance for couples to say that all-important 'I do'. This charming and opulent space features a beautiful descending staircase that's ideal for the wedding procession and making a grand entrance. The Ashmolean Rooftop Terrace and indoor dining room are perched high above the busy city centre of Oxford offering an elegant outside ceremony space for up to 70 guests. This hidden gem, an oasis of calm is bathed in natural light that pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows by day and reflects the glittering lights of the city by night. The adjoining terrace is perfect for a drinks reception and capturing the views. The Museum boasts several charming and romantic art galleries for elopements and intimate wedding ceremonies. The 19th-century Art Gallery hosting up to 24 people displays an array of landscapes while the Pre-Raphaelites Gallery holds the highly decorated Great Bookcase providing stunning backdrops to tie the knot with an intimate 18 loved ones. The Cast Gallery offers an elegant and classical space which houses Britain's largest collection of monumental and sculpture casts. Perfect for an intimate ceremony of up to 42 people, its understated elegance will delight guests. Receptions take place in The Atrium for up to 150 guests for a drinks reception. The architectural staircase sweeps up through the heart of the museum and offers the perfect platform for addressing guests. The colossal statue of Apollo from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and the adjoining galleries, make it an impressive space where people can socialise and enjoy a fine selection of drinks and canapés while exploring the museum's founding and world-class collections. The Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery and The Vaults also host a reception for up to 150 guests. www.ashmolean.org/venue-hire https://vandhphotography.com https://vandhphotography.com 26

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