Your Guide to Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall 2024
San Francisco City Hall is an incredible option for getting married in SF. The building is stunning inside and out. Amazing architecture, high ceilings, beautiful natural light. It evokes a great sense of grandeur. It is my preferred wedding venue to photograph!
In this article I’m going to share some information and tips on how to hold your wedding at one of the most iconic locations in the Bay Area.
How to hold your wedding at SF City Hall
Getting married at San Francisco City Hall is a 2-step process. You must get a marriage license and have a ceremony to be married. The process requires some advance planning to ensure you’re all set for your day.
Marriage License
The main steps for obtaining a marriage license are:
Make sure you meet the requirements for getting married in San Francisco
Decide on type of marriage license
Decide on name changes
Make an appointment to get the marriage license
Go to your appointment, get the license
Get married within 90 days. (Make sure to get it no more than 90 days before your ceremony, so it is still valid!)
The full process is covered here:
https://sf.gov/get-marriage-license
Book your ceremony reservation
There are two ceremony options at San Francisco City Hall, depending on the size of your group and what type of ceremony you wish to hold: a civil ceremony or a private ceremony.
They both require reservations. It is advisable to book well in advance due to the popularity of the venue. Reservations can be made online through the links in the two sections below.
Civil ceremonies are for groups of 6 or less guests (keep in mind the guest count includes any photographers, videographers, children, witnesses, etc.). They are only available to be held weekdays (between 9am and 3:30pm M-F), and are conducted by a City Hall wedding commissioner. You cannot choose the location of your ceremony, and will be assigned a location based on what is available. Possible rooms include their private ceremony room or the rotunda.
For more information or to make your civil ceremony appointment:
https://sf.gov/have-civil-marriage-or-domestic-partnership-ceremony-city-hall
Private ceremonies allow you groups larger than 6 guests (all the way up to 3000!), offer the additional option to hold it in the evenings or weekends, and to choose a specific location within City Hall, such as the Rotunda or the Mayor's Balcony. Private ceremonies require additional fees and must be arranged in advance.
Some tips when choosing a location for your private ceremony:
The Rotunda is the iconic centerpiece of San Francisco City Hall. It features a grand staircase and is an elegant space for wedding ceremonies.
The Mayor's Balcony offers stunning views of the Rotunda and is a great option for larger ceremonies.
The Fourth Floor North Gallery is a quieter and more private space that provides beautiful views overlooking the Rotunda. It can accommodate smaller ceremonies.
Some suggestions on choosing a weekday reservation time for either a civil ceremony, or a weekday private ceremony:
I would recommend going earlier in the week. Fridays can be very busy and crowded!
Morning can be nice as the building is emptier, which makes for better photos.
For more information or to make your private ceremony appointment:
https://www.sfcityhallevents.org/weddings/
How early should you start planning?
Planning a wedding at San Francisco City Hall can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it does take some planning ahead. To help you navigate through the process, here’s a timeline to assist you in creating a memorable and seamless celebration.
3 months or more before the wedding
Book a photographer. Many photographers are booked months in advance, so it’s important to plan ahead!
Finalize your guest list.
60 - 90 Days Before the Wedding
Book your reservation at City Hall (as mentioned above).
Obtain Your Marriage License. (This can be done up to 90 days in advance.)
Plan any post-ceremony celebration and make any necessary reservations.
30 Days Before the Wedding
Confirm arrangements with your photographer, florist, caterer, and any other vendors involved in your wedding day.
If your post-ceremony celebration is elsewhere in the city, discuss with your photographer the best locations for additional photo opportunities and consider transportation logistics.
On the Day of the Wedding
Arrive Prepared and Early
I recommend arriving 30 minutes ahead of your ceremony. Remember to bring your marriage license, valid IDs, and wedding rings! (In the next section below, I go through in more detail what to expect the day of your wedding).
Embrace the Ceremony
The ceremony will be swift, anywhere from three to ten minutes for a civil ceremony, but packed with emotion. An experienced photographer will be at the right place at the right time to capture these fleeting, precious moments.
Unleash the Celebration
After the ceremony, allow time to explore City Hall's most photogenic spots for your post-wedding photoshoot. Allow time for any formal portraits, then continue the celebration at your chosen reception venue.
PREPARING FOR the wedding day
Here's a suggested timeline for your wedding day at San Francisco City Hall. Generally, you should allow at least one hour for basic coverage from your photographer, and ideally two if you plan on capturing portraits in City Hall and on the surrounding grounds, and three to four hours if you’re planning on going off-site for more photos at predetermined locations.
Pre-ceremony Preparations
Begin your preparations with hair, makeup, and getting ready. You may consider having your photographer capture these special moments.
Arrival at City Hall
Plan to arrive early. How soon before your ceremony will depend on how you are getting there and what photography you plan on having done before your ceremony. If you are driving, allow yourself up to 15 extra minutes to park at one of the nearby garages*. I would recommend taking an Uber to City Hall and avoid the time and challenges of parking altogether. Also, allow 10 minutes for security screening and finding your way around the building. Finally, talk with your photographer about how much time you may need for any pre-ceremony photography.
* If you do need to drive, here are a few paid parking garages within a 5-10 minute walk from City Hall:
https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/civic-center-garage
https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/performing-arts-garage
Wedding Ceremony
Exchange your vows in your assigned location (for civil ceremonies) or chosen location (for private ceremonies).
Post-Ceremony Photography
San Francisco City Hall offers numerous spots for capturing stunning wedding photos inside (including the rotunda, Mayor’s Balcony, grand staircase, etc), but not all will be available to you depending on how busy it is, and what other ceremonies are being held. Plan on being flexible with your photographer to take advantage of what locations are available.
Reception
Celebrate! Often there will be a break between your ceremony (if held early in the day) and any reception you’ve planned. Discuss with your photographer about using that gap to get additional photos at other locations around the city, as well as joining you to capture photos during your reception.
Tips for planning
Here are some tips for making your day go smooth.
Travel light!
Be very minimal in what you bring (e.g, only bring your wallet / cellphone) especially if you are not bringing guests, as your photographer will have their hands full with their photo gear and won’t be able to hold your items.
Plan for the weather
There’s a quote – often attributed to Mark Twain – that goes, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”. For those from out of town, that’s a good reminder that SF is a city of micro-climates…. It can be warm in the morning and turn cold and foggy quickly. Bring along something to keep you warm.
Next steps
San Francisco City Hall provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for your dream wedding, and with a well-structured timeline and plan, you can ensure a smooth and memorable experience. I hope some of the information above helps you'll be well-prepared to navigate the various stages of planning, from securing your date to the actual wedding day itself.
Remember, hiring a skilled photographer who understands the unique aspects of City Hall weddings is crucial to capturing the magic of your day! If you’re ready to book your big day, please contact me to check availability and request a rate sheet.
As a SF native with over 20 years of experience photographing weddings and editorial shoots in the Bay Area, I have a keen eye for working with you to create and capture your big day. My approach is to capture real, natural moments, with a little direction (if wanted) here and there around San Francisco City Hall and possibly among my favorite locations around the city. I look for great light, beautiful composition and a love connection. Working with me you will receive a curated collection of fine art images that tell your unique love story. A family heirloom, timeless fine art photographs to be cherished forever. The images featured here are from my recent City Hall weddings, to see more please visit my galleries.
I offer customized packages for City Hall wedding shoots, typically ranging from one to four hours to capture the ceremony, portraits and any group formals or offsite locations. (Additional photo options could include dinner reception, engagement photos, or something else you may have in mind.)
If photography is important to you, I recommend a minimum of 2 hours of coverage to ensure sufficient time to capture a greater variety of beautiful portraits at City Hall in addition to your ceremony.
Happy planning! Contact me if you’d like to book me or have any questions.
Last updated January 2024
