One of the perks of being a student at Oxford University is that you get the opportunity to attend really lavish balls (I’m taking charity balls, society balls, white tie, black tie…) and I’m here today to tell you about the two different balls I’ve been to this term.
Northern Lights Ball at The Oxford Union
This was the first ball of term across the whole university and one that everyone had said to go to if I could. By the time I decided that I did in fact want to go, the tickets were completely sold out! Luckily, one of my friends managed to get me a guest ticket so all was well.
The theme was Northern Lights (black-tie) so I wore my floor-length white strapless dress. The night promised unlimited drinks, live ceilidh, a silent disco, UV table tennis, cheese & wine room, sourz bar, vodka luge and live jazz.
It was a really enjoyable evening and it was so nice to properly dress up in gorgeous dresses. We all had a go at the ceilidh which was actually so much fun but also hilarious – we were definitely out of breath by the end of two dances.
Oxford RAG Ball
This one was Oxford Raise and Give’s annual ball and all proceeds go to charity. A lot more people from college went and there was a big group of us which was absolutely lovely. The theme was Alice in Wonderland (black-tie) and I wore a floral maxi dress (pictured below):
The organisers had done such an incredible job, from the entertainment right down to the decorations on the walls and even the cupcake details! The venue was at Lairns Barn (a 45 minute drive from Oxford’s city centre) and we were packed into old school buses and taken to and from.
We were again treated to unlimited drinks (though the alcohol content was certainly questionable) and there was also food being served (it was actually really good). There was a marquee with the main stage but there was also live jazz music in the Tea Room. A firework display was put on at 10:30pm and there were a variety of other things happening on the night too: casino games, giant chessboard, candy floss and popcorn stand, doughnut stand, shisha lounge, tea party, face-painting and a photobooth!
I had such a fantastic evening at RAG Ball and it was definitely something that everyone was looking forward to during Fifth Week.
And those are the two balls I was fortunate enough to go to this term! Other balls that are happening/have happened this term are: Science Ball, MedSoc Ball, LawSoc Ball, GuildSoc Ball, Diwali Ball & Merton College Commemoration Winter Ball (white-tie!)
Freshers’ Week at Oxford University is now on YouTube!!
If you’re not following my uni adventures so far…
Instagram
& Twitter
– @violahelen_
Snapchat
– violahelen
Peace and love,
BLOGLOVIN’ | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TUMBLR
Eeeek the Northern Lights theme sounds so sweet and unique! And ceilidhs are so much fun but you’re right, they require a lot of stamina hahaha. The RAG ball sounds like so much fun as well! Both your dresses are so pretty ☺️ xx
Can you go to all the balls no matter which college you’re in?
Yes, but some society balls you must be a member of the society.
Thank you so much! you’re posts are so useful. I’ve just been offered a place and so have been reading up as much as possible about as much as possible. You’re posts really help to dispel the myths-so much so I’ve decided to try my hand at writing a blog as well. Thank you!
Thank you so much Poppy! Comments like these are what are helping motivate me to start blogging properly again. I’ve also got a ton of videos showing Oxford student life up on my YouTube channel. Hope these also help, and good luck with the blogging 🙂
Viola xo