Weddings

Celebrate your special day in our beautiful, story-themed spaces. The Story Museum provides the perfect backdrop for wedding celebrations offering a unique and timeless setting. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, we offer tailored packages and will work closely with you to bring your vision to life and ensure that every detail is just right.

The Story Museum offers:

• Stunning, immersive story-themed spaces
• Exclusive access to our museum site, including the Magic Common Room, inspired by Hogwarts, the Whispering Wood and the Woodshed Theatre
• Unique gallery spaces for your wedding photographs
• Flexible catering packages
• Friendly, first-aid trained staff to welcome your guests
• In-person visits to plan your special day

Spaces

Our spaces are:

• Available to hire for up to 6 hours for your drinks reception, wedding breakfast and entertainment. Certain spaces are only available to hire outside our museum opening hours
• Fully accessible for wheelchair users with three lifts on site as well as accessible toilets
• Ready for you to make your mark with your own choice of flowers, decorations and entertainment

Catering

Our flexible wedding packages can include:

• Fully licensed bar with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Welcome drinks and a paid bar
• Selection of delicious canapés
• Sit-down dinner for up to 60 guests in our Whispering Wood

We aim to use local suppliers and local produce where possible and have established relationships with a range of outside caterers.

We received numerous compliments on the venue choice, and much of that credit goes to you and your team. It was a pleasure working with professionals who are not only experts in their field but also genuinely passionate about creating memorable experiences.

The space and customer service were excellent. The canapés were beautifully presented by the friendly team. Our guests really enjoyed coming to a unique and special venue. Thank you to the team!

FAQs

• Where is The Story Museum?
  The Story Museum is located in the centre of Oxford, between St Aldate's and St Ebbe's Street. Our address is 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP. For more information about getting here, click here.
• Why choose The Story Museum?
  The Story Museum is a most unusual museum in the heart of Oxford celebrating the power of stories. We offer a range of interesting, creative spaces available for hire, perfect for celebrating your magical day! We are licensed for alcohol and live entertainment and have an on-site café providing freshly prepared food and refreshments, whilst also working with external caterers for your wedding breakfast. Whatever your requirements, we’re always keen to make it work.

• What is the capacity of each space?
  The maximum capacity of our spaces varies depending on the room and set-up of your event, but as a rough guide:

• The Woodshed Theatre – 60 (banquet-style), 105 (seated on bleecher seating with additional row), 120 (standing for a drinks reception)

• The Magic Common Room – 36 (tables and chairs), 50 (theatre-style), 60 (standing)

• The Link Room – 30 (tables and chairs), 45 (theatre-style), 45 (standing)

• The Whispering Wood – 70 (seated dinner), 80 (standing)
  

• What are your prices?
  Prices start from £2,400 excluding VAT for exclusive access between 18:00-23:00. Additional charges may apply for events outside these standard operating hours. This includes access to our first floor event spaces including the Whispering Wood, the Magic Common Room and the Woodshed Theatre.

• What’s included in the venue hire?
  Wedding hire at The Story Museum is mainly for dry hire only. The venue hire fee includes the use of the space, as well as furniture or equipment, including tables and chairs, subject to availability. You are welcome to bring any additional furniture or decorations or hire these through an external event company.

• Can I visit before I make a booking?
  We would love to show off our beautiful venue and hear more about your plans for your special day! Viewings are by appointment only and can take place on weekdays or at weekends, subject to availability. Our Venue Hire Manager would be delighted to meet with you and advise on how we can meet your requirements.

• What is the booking procedure?
  We can hold provisional dates without commitment for two weeks. We will always give you notice and an opportunity to confirm before releasing a provisional date. Once you have notified us that you would like to book an event, we’ll issue a contract which needs to be returned as soon as possible and issue an invoice for a non-refundable deposit of 50%. The final balance will be payable two months before the wedding date. Hire fees must be paid in advance of the event.

• What is the cancellation procedure?
  Events cancelled with more than 3 months' notice will be eligible for a refund, minus the non-refundable 50% deposit. Cancellations received with less than 3 months' notice will incur the full hire fee.

• Can we have a look around the Museum while we’re here?
  Yes, we’d love you to explore our most unusual museum! We can arrange for your guests to explore our wonderful gallery spaces as part of your special day. Our Galleries are the perfect backdrop for truly unique wedding photos!
  
• What time can I access the venue for set up?
  Access to the site for set up is permitted from 10:00 on the morning of your event, subject to other activities and events taking place within the Museum. In the case of evening hires, the event start time is typically no earlier than 18:00, when the Museum closes to the public. Early arrival/late departure can be arranged by agreement in advance of your event. It may be possible to drop off items the day before with prior arrangement.

• Can you recommend any suppliers?
  Canapés and beverage catering is provided by our in-house café which supplies a delicious selection of locally sourced food. We also have an on-site bar called Ginny’s Bar which is well-stocked. For wedding breakfasts, we work with a range of local suppliers at a range of price points. We are always open to working with new suppliers, subject to a site visit prior to the event and adherence to our Terms and Conditions. Please get in touch for more information.

• Are all your event spaces accessible?
  Wheelchairs: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with step free access to all floors. Most of our doors are sensor activated or power assisted.
  Lifts: All lifts in the Museum are wheelchair accessible and have audio announcements. Most of the museum lifts have Braille labelling on the buttons. Our main venue hire spaces are on the first and second floors.
  Toilets: There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet on every floor, next to each of our public toilets. The ground floor toilet by the Courtyard is equipped as a changing spaces room, with a wet room-style shower, height adjustable bench and a ceiling hoist.
  Induction loops and infrared systems: An induction loop is installed in the Woodshed Theatre when it’s set up as a theatre. There is a portable induction loop which can be set up in other spaces with prior notice.
  Visual story: There is a visual story of The Story Museum, along with more detailed information about accessibility at the Museum here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch.

• Are there any restrictions on activities or decorations?
  Because of the risk to our buildings, we can’t allow naked flames, smoke or haze machines, dry ice, internal fireworks, party poppers, crackers, helium balloons, soil or similar items. This list is not exhaustive and our Duty Manager has the right to stop anything that they believe may pose an unacceptable risk to our building. If you have any concerns about this, please contact us in advance. Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are not allowed in any of our buildings or the Courtyard. Red wine is only permitted at seated dinners in the Whispering Wood. For drinks receptions and events in other spaces, only light-coloured drinks are allowed (fizz, white wine and soft alternatives).

• Is parking available on site?
  There is no parking available on site. We are located in central Oxford and are easily accessible by public transport. City centre parking is limited and we strongly recommend using Oxford’s Park and Ride system where possible. The nearest public car park is located at the Westgate Shopping Centre. More information about Blue Badge parking for disabled visitors can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council’s website here: Blue Badge guidance | Oxfordshire County Council. A list of local car parks can be found here: Parking - Google Maps
  
• Can we have a marquee or gazebo in the Courtyard?
  Our Courtyard is not covered and is exposed to the elements! It is not possible to erect a marquee within the Courtyard but it may be possible to bring gazebos, providing these are easy to erect and can be weighted down. All gazebos must be dismantled on the day of the event. We would advise to plan for an indoor event in the first instance, but it may be possible to hold some of your celebrations outside if the weather is nice!

• What time do we need to vacate on the day of the wedding?
  All events must finish by 23:00 due to our license. It may be possible to apply for an extension to this, but any request for this must be made at least 2 months in advance. You are welcome to store items here overnight and collect the following day during opening hours by prior arrangement.