If you’re planning a wedding at Bodleian Library in Oxford, you’ll love this wedding for inspiration!
Sarah and Nick got married at the Divinity School at Bodleian Library, which is one of the most striking buildings in Oxford. It was the most beautiful wedding and even the rain didn’t dampen the day!
Sarah and Nick met while they were both studying at Oxford University, and as an American and English couple living in Australia, they knew they would need help bringing their vision together and coordinating the day so that was where I stepped in.
Over the months leading to the wedding, we had regular catch-ups where I advised them on the best suppliers for them and worked together to create a design for the day that really represented them as a couple.
The ceremony
The ceremony was a beautiful service in the splendid Exeter College Chapel. Music was a key part of the day for Sarah and Nick as they have both sung in choirs and met through their musical connections. They chose their ceremony music with great care and the Chapel choir performed it beautifully. They also carefully chose their readings to be a true reflection of their relationship.
This quote used during the sermon summed up the ethos behind their choices. “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” Antoine de Sainte-Exupery. It was an emotional ceremony that moved their guests to tears.
Following the ceremony and photos in the grounds of Exeter College guests moved onto the Sheldonian Theatre for drinks. The original plan had been to have the drinks in the courtyard between the Theatre and Divinity School but rain showers put a stop to that. While guests enjoyed canapes and music from the Oxford String Quartet, we set up the Divinity School ready for their arrival.
Why Bodleian Library is a great place to get married
The Bodleian Library is a stunning wedding venue and is one of the best places to get married in Oxford. The venue building itself offers an amazing atmosphere for a wedding – and being in the heart of Oxford there are so many incredible backdrops that are perfect for photos too.
The reception
When you are working with such incredible venues, you can keep the design of the day elegant and sleek, drawing attention to the incredible detail of Exeter and Bodleian. The palette was kept fairly neutral with the deep greens of the foliage, pale grey linen and touches of white and blush florals. We also brought in a modern edge with the use of perspex chairs and stationery elements to contrast with the traditional stone spaces.
Guests were seated at 3 long tables the length of the Divinity School and dined on a delicious feasting menu by Goose & Berry.
The height of the foliage table centres, in particular, drew the eye up to the amazing ceiling in the Divinity School, and the ultra-sleek ghost chairs contrasted nicely with the more traditional feeling of the room. The overall effect was a day filled with raw emotion, intimacy, fun, and incredible beauty.
After dinner, the party really started with the live band Hand Fulla Soul. Sarah and Nick also surprised their guests by singing “Can’t take my eyes off you” together, halfway through the evening.
Advice for planning your wedding at Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library is a fabulous wedding to get married in but can be logistically challenging as you only have a couple of hours to set up and being in the heart of Oxford you need to deal with a mass of tourists too. But you’ll be in safe hands with me and my team to help plan your wedding day.
If you’re planning a wedding at Bodleian Library, get in touch!
Dream team
Ceremony Venue Exeter College Chapel | Drinks Reception Venue Sheldonian Theatre | Reception Venue Divinity School at Bodleian Libraries | Photographer Allister Freeman | Florist Emma Soulsby | Catering Goose & Berry | Band Hand Fulla Soul | Invitations Deciduous Press | Perspex Table Plan + Order of Service Lilac and White
