Drive just over 3 miles South of Oxford city centre and you will find the village of Sandford-on-Thames and nestling on the river banks is the voco Oxford Thames, a modern hotel with a history going far back to the Middle Ages. This picturesque river bank was the setting for Sophie and Ashley’s magical outdoor wedding ceremony.
The hotel stands in 30 acres of parkland with manicured formal gardens. Although the hotel dates to mediaeval times, it has a moden feel with contemporary decor to match.
Rich History Of voco Oxford Thames
Records of the Manor House, which now houses the hotel, date back to the early 12th Century and was closely linked to the Order Of The Knights Templar . The Knights was a large organization of devout Christians whose mission was to protect European travellers visiting sites in the Holy Land. They also carried out military operations during the time of the Crusades.
This historic manor passed through many hands, including Thomas, Cardinal Wolsey , soon after Henry VIII dissolved the Knights Templar order. Now, as a hotel, it boasts a variety of modern rooms, a high-quality restaurant and a charming bar.
In the 1500s, the manor was bought by a Welshman whose granddaughter married William Napier. The hotel’s restaurant carries the Napier name. The interesting history of the Napier family and their connection to the hotel doesn’t end there. In 1610, William Napier’s brother, the Blessed George Napier , was hung, drawn and quartered for treason in Oxford Gaol! George Napier’s mutilated quarters were placed on the four gates of the city and his head at the gates of Christ Church. The body of the Catholic priest and martyr was collected by William and buried secretly in the Chapel of the Knights Templar, at Sandford-on-Thames.
In the late 18th Century, the Lord of the Manor became the Duke of Marlborough, whose official residence was Blenheim Palace . Most of the prominent features of the Manor date to this period.
The Ceremony & Wedding Banquet
voco Oxford Thames
Sophie and Ashley were married under the arch of the hotel’s charming Riverside Gazebo within view of a white, ornately-crafted, 18th Century barge. The bridal party included four bridesmaids, two flowergirls and a nattily-dressed pageboy bearing the wedding rings on a white cushion.
After a confetti shower, guests sipped champagne and were entertained by a very skillful cartoonist. The hotel’s River Room and Conservatory Restaurant had been beautifully decorated with floral arrangements for the wedding banquet and speeches. Sophie and Ashley’s celebrations, including a Wedding Sparklers Parade, carried on late into a glorious summer’s evening by the Thames.
I hope you enjoy these images….
01 voco oxford thames entrance driveway oxfordshire wedding photographer 02 bluebell woods voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photographers 03 waterside ceremony venue voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 04 riverside outdoor marriage venue voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographer 05 marriage ceremony signage voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photographers 06 flower decked outdoor ceremony venue voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 07 brides blue charm voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographer 08 brides hairstyling bridal prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 09 bridesmaids sip champagne bridal preparation voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 10 grooms pocket watch reflection voco oxford thames groom prep oxfordshire wedding photographer 11 groom checks pocket watch gift voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 12 grooms pocket watch inscription groom preparation voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 13 bestman fastens grooms cufflinks groom prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographer 14 bestman adjusts grooms tie voco oxford thames groom prep oxfordshire wedding photographers 15 groomsmens preparation voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photography 16 bestman helps groom into jacket voco oxford thames grooms preparation oxfordshire wedding photographer 17 groom adjusts jacket grooms prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 17 grooms cufflinks groom prep voco oxford thames hotel sandford oxfordshire wedding photography 17 wooden heart token vows inscription voco oxford thames oxford wedding photographer 18 brides party sip champagne bridal prep voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photography 19 brides shoes bridal preparation voco oxford thames oxford wedding photographer 20 hanging dresses bridal prep voco oxford thames oxford wedding photographers 21 brides shoe detail bridal prep voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photography 22 hanging brides gown voco oxford thames bridal prep oxfordshire wedding photographer 23 brides gown detail bidal preparation voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 24 mother of bride reads daughters letter bridal prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 25 bride watches mother read letter bridal preparation voco oxford thames hotel oxfordshire wedding photographer 26 bride comforts tearful mother bridal prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 27 mother of bride receives daughters gift bridal prep voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographer 28 daughters mother of bride gift bridal preparation voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photographers 29 mother adjusts brides gown voco oxford thames oxfordshire wedding photography 30 bride checks gowns train bridal prep ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 31 father of brides first look ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 32 bride embraces father after first look ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 33 father of bride admires daughters gown ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 34 groom exits ihg hotel sandord oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 35 laughing groom groomsmen voco oxford thames hotel grounds oxfordshire wedding photographers 36 smiling groom pageboy ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 37 bestman holds toddler ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 38 groom holds toddler ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 39 guests await brides arrival ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 40 laughing guests outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 41 guest reads order of service ihg hotel sandford outdoor ceremony oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 42 smiling guests awaiting bride ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 43 bridesmaids first look brides gown ihg hotel bridal prep sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 44 smiling bridesmaids see brides gown ihg hotel bridal prep sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 45 emotional bridesmaids first look brides gown ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 46 bridesmaids hold rose bouques bridal prep ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 47 smiling bridesmaids see gowns train bridal prep ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 48 bridal party formal portrait bride preparation ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 49 hotel staff prepare outdoor bar ihg sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 50 smiling groom bestman await bride ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 51 ring bearer flower girls ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 53 flower girls ring bearer approach outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 53 flower girls ring bearer approach outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 54 celebrant awaits brides arrival outdoor ceremony ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 55 father of bride escorts daughter ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 56 smiling bride links fathers arm ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 57 flowergirls scatter petals ihg hotel outdoor marriage ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 58 bridal party approach outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 59 bride approaches groom outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 60 groom turns bride smiles ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photograph 61 bridesmaid adjusts brides train outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 62 celebrant addresses bride groom outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 63 bride groom hold hands ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 64 guests watch outdoor marriage ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 65 smiling celebrant bride groom outdoor marriage ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 66 bride groom exchange vows ihg hotel sandford outdoor ceremony oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 67 guests reading outdoor marriage ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 68 tearful mother of groom ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 69 bestman carries ring outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 69 bride groom exchange rings ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 70 bride wipes tear outdoor marriage ceremon ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 71 bride gives groom ring ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 72 tearful mother of bride ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 73 exchanging vows ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 74 exchanging rings outdoor marriage ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 75 bride grooms first kiss ihg hotel marriage ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 76 marriage register signing ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 77 bridesmaids read order of service outdoor ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 78 laughing mother of bride ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 79 bride signs marriage register ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 80 groom signs register ihg hotel outdoor ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 81 guest applaud departing bride groom ihg hotel marriage ceremony sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 82 bride grooms aisle walk igh hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 83 bride groom leave marriage ceremony ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 84 confetti parade ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 85 smiling bride groom enjoy confetti parade ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 86 guests throw confetti ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire photography 87 bride grooms confetti shower ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 88 laughing guests enjoy confetti parade ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 89 bridesmaids throw confetti ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 90 bride grooms confetti parade kiss ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 91 bride groom sip champagne ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 92 groom guests leave confetti parade ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 93 brides champagne reception ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 94 brides parents escort bride ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 95 bridesmaids carry brides train ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 96 mother of bride enjoys drinks reception ihg hotel gardens sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 97 mother of bride daughter traditional portrait ihg hotel gardens sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 98 wedding banquet ihg hotel sandford oxford s r urwin photography oxfordshire 99 decorative cake table arrangement ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 100 wedding cake ihg hotel reception sandford oxford s r urwin photography oxfordshire 101 laughing mother of bride igh hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 102 guests greet bride grooms arrival igh hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 103 guests cheer bride groom arrival ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 104 bride groom enter reception room ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 105 guests applaud bride grooms arrival ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 106 father of bride prepares speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 107 father of bride speech ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 108 guests hear father of bride speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 109 emotional bride hears fathers speech ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 110 mother of bride speech ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 111 bride hears mothers speech ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 112 bride groom hear reception speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 113 guest hears mother of bride reception speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 114 bride receives heart token ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 115 smiling young guest ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 116 maid of honour proposes toast ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 119 grooms speech ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 120 guest enjoys grooms speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 121 bride hears grooms speech ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 122 bride groom rings ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 123 wedding rings ihg hotel sandford oxford s r urwin photography oxfordshire 124 groom kisses bride ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 125 smiling bride groom hold hands ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 126 bride groom stroll ihg hotel gardens sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 126 brides formal garden portrait ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 127 bride groom enjoy garden walk ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 128 groom walks towards bride ihg hotel gardens sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 129 groom meets bride ihg hotel formal gardens sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 130 bride groom cross ihg hotel lawns sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 131 smiling bride groom enjoy gardens stroll ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 132 bride groom walk past vintage car igh hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 133 cake cutting ceremony ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 134 bride groom cut cake ihg hotel reception sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 135 guests watch bride grooms first dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 136 bride grooms first dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 137 bride groom enjoy first dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 138 bride grooms slow dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 139 bride grooms sparkler parade ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 140 bride groom enjoy guests sparklers ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 141 happy guests wave sparklers ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 142 bride grooms twilight embrace ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 143 bride grooms twilight kiss ihg hotel grounds sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographers 144 bride bridesmaid dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photography 145 bride grooms jive dance ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire wedding photographer 146 dancing bride groom ihg hotel sandford oxford oxfordshire photographers
For more riverside wedding celebrations, but with a difference, take a look at Jo and Adam’s Wedding.