WELCOME
Your wedding day should feel like you - not like everyone else's. If you've ever dreamed of swapping the predictable for the playful, the formal for the genuinely magical, The Story Museum might just be the venue you didn't know you were looking for…
Tucked in the heart of Oxford, our most unusual museum is a place where imaginations run wild and stories come to life. It's also, as it turns out, a pretty spectacular place to get married - especially if children and family are part of your story.
Think immersive gallery spaces doubling as ceremony backdrops. An atmospheric indoor forest for your wedding breakfast. Little ones utterly enchanted while the grown-ups raise a glass. A day that's completely, brilliantly yours - and theirs.
ABOUT OUR MUSEUM
We are a registered charity on a mission to enrich lives through stories. Our gorgeous Grade II listed building sits right in the centre of Oxford, a city already bursting with beauty and historybut we like to think we add a little something extra.
Across our three floors you'll find spaces unlike anywhere else: a mysterious indoor woodland, a common room straight out of a storybook, a theatre that's hosted everything from children's shows to first dances. Every room has its own character. Every corner has something to discover.
And here's the bit we love most: all money from venue hire goes directly back into our work. So when you celebrate here, you're not just having the wedding of your dreams - you're helping make stories accessible to children and families who might not otherwise have that chance. Pretty good wedding gift to the world, if you ask us.
OUR SPACES
Hire one room or take over the lot - we are available for exclusive hire from 10am, giving you and your guests the run of the whole place. Here's a look at what's in store.
THE GALLERIES
Three of our immersive gallery spaces - the Enchanted Library, the Treasure Chamber and the Story Arcade - are included as standard in your wedding hire. Your guests are free to explore them as part of the celebration, and they make for genuinely extraordinary wedding photographs. This is one of the things that makes a wedding at The Story Museum unlike anywhere else in Oxford.
Looking for something extra special to keep little guests entertained? Small Worlds - our under-fives story play space - can be added to your hire from £300 + VAT (evenings from 5pm, unstaffed). Story Guides are also available at an additional cost. Please contact us for details.
FAMILY FIRST
Most wedding venues simply tolerate children. They'll mention a kids' menu and a quiet corner, and consider the job done. The Story Museum, however, is different.
We’ve spent years designing experiences where children are active participants, not passive guests. The same expertise, the same team, the same thinking that goes into our public programmes goes into every family wedding we host. Your little ones won't be looking for something to do - they'll be living the best day of their lives too!
A WEDDING DESIGNED IN CHAPTERS,
FOR EVERYONE.
From the moment guests arrive, there's something for every age. Here's how a day with children at its heart might unfold:
Story readings. Symbolic roles for children in the ceremony. Gentle moments of participation that make even the youngest guests feel like they truly belong to the day. Please note that we are only available for celebrant only ceremonies.
While adults mingle, children explore. Story-based activity zones, creative making, and quiet storytelling corners keep little ones genuinely engaged which means their parents can actually relax and enjoy a drink.
Story prompts at each place setting, creative placemats, calm table activities. Children feel seen. Parents feel calm. The meal actually happens.
Speeches structured as short storytelling moments - naturally engaging for all ages. As the evening unfolds, quieter zones and supervised creative moments mean children can wind down in their own time, without the whole thing unravelling.
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The Story Museum has an experienced children's team with deep safeguarding expertise and years of practice managing mixed-age audiences in immersive environments. For weddings, they work as story guides within your day; facilitating, hosting, and creating genuinely magical moments for the children in your guest list.
This isn't a bolt-on childcare service. It's an integral part of what makes a wedding here unlike anywhere else. Speak to us about how we can build their involvement into your day.
YOUR DAY
First impressions matter, and The Story Museum has them in spades. As your guests arrive at 42 Pembroke Street and step inside, the discovery begins. Gallery spaces filled with artwork, unexpected installations, and the kind of immersive detail that makes people forget to check their phones and makes children completely forget they were ever bored at a grown-up event.
While you're whisked away for photos (our museum is an absolute gift for photographers - there is not a bad backdrop in the building), your guests can explore the galleries. Adults with a drink in hand; children wide-eyed in the story activity zones. Canapés, conversation, and genuine delight across every age group. It's the perfect way to start.
EVENING PARTY
As the sun sets over Oxford and our museum takes on its evening glow, it's time to move the party to The Woodshed Theatre. Clear the floor, get the band set up, and let the evening do its thing.
The Woodshed is a proper live music venue - it's hosted performances, storytelling events and everything in between, so it knows how to hold an atmosphere. With full AV capabilities, speakers, disco ball, and a stage that's made for moments, your first dance will feel exactly like it should.
Evening guests are welcome from whenever you're ready. If you want to keep the party going until late, just ask - we'll do our best to make it happen.
CATERING
One thing you can always count on at The Story Museum: we look after the drinks.
Our in-house bar team provides the drinks package as standard across all our wedding hire options.
Our standard licence runs until 11pm. If you'd like to keep the story going a little longer, we're happy to apply for a late licence that can extend your evening all the way to 1am. Just let us know when you enquire.
Our bar team is on hand throughout and loves to get creative with drinks. Whether that's a signature cocktail, a particular wine or a request that raises an eyebrowit's your day, and the bar is listening!
For food, we operate as a dry hire venue meaning you have the freedom to bring in the caterer that's right for you. Our recommended partner is Greens Catering, who know our spaces inside out and have created some genuinely exceptional menus here. We're also open to discussing other caterers, but we'd ask that any external team has a conversation with us before being confirmed, so we can make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
SUPPLIERS
O U R R E C O M M E N D E D S U P P L I E R S
We work with a curated list of preferred local suppliers covering everything from florists and photographers to musicians and celebrants. Ask us for the full list when you get in touch.
“We only recommend people we’d trust with our own weddings”.
PACKAGES & PRICING
Whether you want the whole day from ceremony to last dance, or you're coming to us fresh from your register office, we have a package to suit. All options include exclusive use of agreed spaces, in-house bar, tables, chairs and our team on hand throughout.
Not sure which is right for you? Get in touch and we'll be more than happy to talk it through.
FULL DAY
The full Story Museum experience from ceremony to last dance. Exclusive access to all agreed spaces from morning, with your guests arriving from 12pm ceremony, wedding breakfast, gallery exploration and evening party all in one place.
Ceremony space
Whispering Wood & MCR for dining
All three gallery spaces
Woodshed evening party
In-house bar
Tables, chairs & venue staffing.
£4,500–£5,500 + VAT
PACKAGE B
PART DAY
A full celebration starting from 2pm, once our museum closes to the public.
Here's how a typical day unfolds:
1:30pm 4:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm onwards
11:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm
Museum closes to the public
Ceremony in The Woodshed Theatre
Post-ceremony refreshments in the Courtyard & Café
Wedding breakfast in The Whispering Wood & Magic Common Room
Explore the galleries — Enchanted Library, Treasure Chamber & Story Arcade
Evening party & disco in The Woodshed Theatre
Close (late licence to 1am available on request)
Price varies by date and season — speak to us for a tailored quote.
PACKAGE C
CELEBRANT CEREMONY
The perfect option for couples who want to say their vows somewhere truly unforgettable, without the full day.
Important to note: we’re not a licensed venue for legal ceremonies. This package is designed for celebrant-led (unofficial) ceremonies. If you're looking for a legal ceremony, we'd recommend combining with a nearby register office or take a look at Package D.
Woodshed ceremony: available at most times, subject to museum opening hours. Gallery photography access can be arranged at additional cost.
Whispering Wood ceremony: requires closing the galleries, so this option is available from 5pm or is priced accordingly. Speak to us for details.
Works particularly well midweek and off-peak.
PACKAGE D
MEAL & EVENING RECEPTION
Have your legal ceremony at a nearby venue - Pembroke College, a local church, the register office - then arrive at The Story Museum to begin the real celebration.
Oxford city centre means your ceremony venue and The Story Museum are never far apart. And arriving here as a newly married couple, stepping into the courtyard with your guests already waiting makes for quite the entrance
Welcome drinks in the Courtyard Meal in the Whispering Wood & MCR Gallery exploration Disco in The Woodshed
All prices exclude VAT. Capacities are a guide and can be flexible depending on guest flow and room setup. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure your date. Events cancelled with more than three months' notice are eligible for a refund minus the deposit; cancellations within three months of the event date incur the full hire fee.
WHEN YOU MARRY HERE, YOU GIVE SOMETHING BACK.
The Story Museum is a registered charity with a mission to enrich lives - especially young lives - through stories.
From a child's earliest days to their teenage years, we offer a creative learning programme in family centres, schools, youth groups and at our award-winning museum, building creativity, literacy and wellbeing. We prioritise families in Oxford's least served communities and ensure price is no barrier with our free-to-access programme of tailored support.
The need for our work in Oxford is clear: 26% of children grow up in poverty, and despite the city's reputation for academic excellence, disadvantaged pupils in the county perform worse than their peers nationally We want to change this narrative with our vibrant Learning, Access and Participation programme, which last year supported nearly 13,000 children, teachers and families.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Story Museum is fully wheelchair accessible throughout, with step-free access to all floors, lifts throughout the building, and accessible toilets on every level. We want every one of your guests to feel completely at home here.
If you have any accessibility requirements or questions before your visit, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team will do everything they can to make sure your day works for everyone who matters to you.
READY TO START YOUR CHAPTER?
We'd love to show you around. Our team is on hand to answer every question, make every introduction and help you picture exactly what your day could look like. Come and explore we think you'll fall a little bit in love.
venuehire@storymuseum.org.uk
The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford
The Story Museum is a registered charity (no. 1107809). All proceeds from venue hire support our charitable work to enrich lives through stories.