So you’ve just got engaged, whoop! And now for the wedding planning to begin… You may have started with a few ideas, but once you begin researching venues you are presented with lots of options, styles, prices and budgets. When I was on the hunt to find our perfect place to have an epic party I googled, “Cool Oxford Wedding Venues”, “Alternative Oxfordshire Wedding Venues”, “Festival Vibe Weddings in Oxford”, “Humanist Weddings in Oxford” all in desperate search to find something a little different and a little more…us…. Through my search I came across these 10 amazing and alternative wedding venues in Oxfordshire that I would like to share with you today, especially if like us, you are on the hunt for something a little different…
1. BRAZIERS PARK
So at number one of the most amazing and alternative wedding venues in Oxfordshire is Braziers Park. It’s where we got married so obviously I would say it’s the best, but it really is the most magical hidden gem, it’s a hippy commune where they host yoga retreats and music festivals. If you’re looking for a relaxed humanist vibe that lasts all weekend then this should be one at the top of your list to go and visit. A word of warning though, they only take on five weddings per year so phone them ASAP to avoid disappointment. (take a peek at our wedding here to see more on this venue: An Oxfordshire Wedding Festival)
2. ISIS FARMHOUSE
When Alex and I moved to Oxford we hung out here a lot. It was definitely on our ‘dream location’ list and the only reason our wedding didn’t happen here is because we’d set our heart on having a weekend affair and all our guests staying over. But this is such a cool place. The owners are so super relaxed, musicians themselves, so they have such a love of good music and hold music festivals throughout the summer. They also have an outdoor stage, loads of festoon lighting, a glass sided barn, lots of green space and stunning food. You could have a humanist wedding here as the private countryside “back garden” is massive and has access to beautifully converted barn, or if you were married in town you could arrive by boat… how cool is that!
3. PRIMROSE HILL FARM
This is my new favourite barn wedding venue, the barn is filled with light, it’s gorgeous. Check out the wedding I shot at Primrose Hill Farm here: Primrose Hill Farm Wedding
4. SILVIES BAKARY + BROWNS GUEST HOUSE
Silvies is the cosiest bakery and coffee shop, and it feels just like home. They’ve only just started doing weddings and again it’s a kind of word-of-mouth thing as they only do a limited number per year. This is another real, secret gem to have found. Silvies is a family run business that’s part of Brown’s Guest House, so you are able to book the whole venue for the perfect wedding. (http://www.brownsoxford.com)
5. MAYBUSH WEDDINGS
Riverside, festival, tipi wedding venue… hell yes!! The guys running this venue are so relaxed and helpful, but also happy for you to do exactly what you’d like. You can hire yurts so again your guests can stay all weekend AND they have a riverside so you can arrive by boat… this place definitely ticks many, many boxes for those seeking a more festival vibe on their wedding day. To see the last wedding I shot there look at: A Tipi Wedding at the Maybush in Witney
6. THE PERCH
http://the-perch.co.uk/weddings
This is another stunning wedding venue where you can arrive by boat and walk up a magical fairy-lit path to their beautiful back garden. They are famous for their sharing food platters, and my goodness – they are to die for, the best wedding food I’ve ever tasted! Click here to see a relaxed wedding at The Perch.
7. MODERN ART OXFORD
https://www.modernartoxford.org.uk
I’ve always loved the idea of partying in an art gallery. With its industrial period features and contemporary atmosphere, Modern Art Oxford is a truly distinctive location.
8. AYNHOE PARK
photo taken from their website http://aynhoepark.co.uk
At number eight of the ten most alternative wedding venues in Oxfordshire I’ve thrown in this fancy pants venue. Aynhoe Park isn’t like any other country house you’ve seen before. As well as being extravagant and elegant it’s full of secret spaces and has its share of quirkiness with wicked oddities and eccentric art objects. Oh my, if you had the budget what a party you could have here! It’s my only venue recommendation with a hanging giraffe!
9. TALTON LODGE
This one isn’t a wedding venue in Oxfordshire strictly speaking, but it’s not far out….and it’s amazing so though it was worth sharing with you. I spent the weekend here with a bunch of other photographers and woahhhh!…..Talton Lodge is set amongst 20 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens in south Warwickshire (oops!). Its stunning festival feel accommodation includes a tree-boathouse, an orchard wagon, 2 yurts, 1 North American tipi and a T5 VW Camper van as well as the lodge itself which is set in a Victorian kitchen garden. This is a little haven and an inspiring place to have your wedding.
10. HADSHAM FARM WEDDINGS
photo taken from Hadsham Farm website https://www.hadshamfarmweddings.co.uk
If you love the outdoors and have always wanted a rural wedding with complete freedom to plan your perfect day, then you may have just found your venue! Hadsham Farm is a beauty of a blank canvas located in the rolling countryside on the northern edge of the Cotswolds. Think big secluded valley, lakeside tipis and a massive party, just hire and create your own unique Oxfordshire wedding.
So there you have it. My list of 10 amazing and alternative wedding venues in Oxfordshire… If you are getting married and your wedding venue is kick arse, please let me know. I’m always on the look out for alternative wedding venues to share. If it’s more city based venues you are looking for, take a look at this; 12 Oxford Wedding Venues in the City