Planning Your Dream San Francisco City Hall Wedding: A Photographer's Perspective

aN UPDATED GUIDE TO GETTING MARRIED AT SF CITY HALL in 2024

Are you considering a San Francisco City Hall wedding and want to ensure every moment is preserved beautifully? Planning a wedding at this iconic location can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to capturing the perfect memories. From securing your ceremony appointment to choosing the right photographer, there are numerous factors to consider. In this article, we'll explore the essential aspects of planning your dream San Francisco City Hall wedding from the perspective of a seasoned San Francisco wedding photographer with 100+ happy City Hall wedding couples.

San Francisco City Hall is a popular wedding venue known for its stunning architecture and natural light, making it the perfect backdrop for an elopement, micro wedding, or full on extravaganza! Planning a wedding here involves securing both a marriage license appointment and a civil ceremony appointment, and considering the perfect time for natural light during the ceremony. In addition, preparing for your big day includes organizing engagement photos, finalizing your guest count, and choosing an experienced photographer to take your stunning photos. Every step plays a critical role in making your wedding day as beautiful and memorable as possible.

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Planning your special day in the heart of SF means selecting the ideal professional wedding photographer to capture the essence of your Northern California nuptials. With styles ranging from the story-telling photojournalistic to the dreamy fine art and the classic traditional, your choice of photographer should reflect the unique narrative you want your wedding photos to convey.

Your Essential Checklist for San Francisco Wedding Photography:

• Research Styles: Understand the differences between photojournalistic, fine art, and traditional photography to determine your preferred aesthetic.

• City Hall Expertise: Opt for a photographer skilled in navigating the bustling environment of popular venues like SF City Hall. Their expertise ensures they can handle the dynamic lighting and crowds.

• Advance Planning: Book your coveted City Hall photographer days in advance, especially if aiming for a civil ceremony with that iconic San Francisco City backdrop.

• Vision Alignment: Ensure your photographer's portfolio resonates with your vision for both engagement and wedding day shots, emphasizing beautiful light and candid emotions.

Remember, the right photographer will not only offer guidance through the city's various landscapes—from the iconic Bay Area backdrops to private events—but also capture beautiful photos that epitomize your San Francisco love story.

I shoot in a photojournalistic wedding photography style. My aesthetic is a little bit fine art and a little bit editorial, stemming from my years of working in the fashion industry as a model and photographer.

Securing Your SF City Hall Ceremony

Navigating the legal and logistical steps to secure your wedding at the illustrious San Francisco City Hall requires early preparation. A coveted spot for weddings in the San Francisco Bay Area, City Hall offers several packages to suit your preferences, whether you desire a simple civil ceremony or a grand reception. Start by marking your calendar because both marriage licenses and ceremony appointments must be secured up to 90 days in advance.

Obtaining a Marriage License Appointment

To make your union official, acquiring a marriage license is the first legal step. Visit the San Francisco County Clerks Office within 90 days of your big day to ensure validity. With a fee of $86, appointments can be booked online by creating an account. Both partners must bring valid photo IDs and a completed marriage application form to the license appointment. To avoid any potential wedding day stress, it is wise to arrange this appointment well ahead of time, separate from the actual ceremony day.

Booking Your Civil Ceremony Appointment

San Francisco City Hall is renowned for its beautiful rotunda venue, perfect for civil ceremonies. These can be booked 90 days in advance for small groups including up to 6 individuals—the couple, their guests, and vendors. Each half-hour slot between 9am and 3:30pm can accommodate up to 3 separate ceremonies, necessitating efficient time management. Book your spot via the online reservation platform, but remember, the $86 fee is non-refundable and rescheduling is not an option, so choose your date wisely.

Choosing the Perfect Ceremony Time

For any photographer, natural light is key to capturing those stunning wedding moments, and City Hall's fourth floor is a gift in this regard. Opt for a morning ceremony for softer light and a more tranquil atmosphere for intimate photography. A ceremony early in the day ensures more freedom to move around and find the perfect spot.

For a ceremony in any other part of San Francisco City Hall, such as the rotunda or the mayor’s balcony, I use strobe lighting to create soft and even lighting. Because of this, the timing is less important, though in general mornings are less busy and it will take less time to get photos in the most popular spots at City Hall.

A private ceremony on the 4th floor at San Francisco City Hall

Preparing for Your Big Day

Embarking on the journey towards your San Francisco wedding, it’s essential to manage details both large and small to ensure your day unfolds seamlessly. Preparations should be in full swing six to eight months before the wedding, beginning with sending out invitations. This allows your guests ample time to arrange their schedules and, if necessary, to make travel and accommodation plans.

A cornerstone of your wedding preparations will be finding and booking an experienced wedding photographer. The significance of your chosen photographer’s familiarity with the unique characteristics of City Hall weddings cannot be overstressed. Their keen eye and understanding will be vital in bringing out the magic of your special day.

Trials for hair and makeup should not be overlooked. They serve as a run-through for the aesthetic of your wedding and iron out any hiccups, making certain you look picture-perfect for the photoshoot. Well in advance, confirm your other vendors, from stationary creators to bartenders and officiants, to cover all bases of your wedding, ensuring nothing is left to the last minute.

Your wedding attire, another critical element of your preparations, should be purchased with time to spare. This proactive approach will save you from unnecessary stress and provide time for alterations to achieve the perfect fit.

By taking care of these vital steps in advance of your wedding day, you set the stage for an unforgettable celebration, with each detail meticulously arranged and ready to shine!

Engagement Photos: How They Can Enhance Your Wedding Experience

Engagement photo sessions are much more than a simple photoshoot; they are a prelude to your wedding, imbuing the onset of your marriage journey with timeless memories. Opting for engagement photos provides beautiful visuals for save-the-date cards and wedding invitations, truly setting the tone for your forthcoming San Francisco festivities. It’s also an opportunity to have photos of you two that are less formal and more in your natural element.

Embrace the opportunity to hire the same photographer for your engagement and wedding photos for style consistency and to get comfortable working with them ahead of your wedding. This will help capture and preserve the essence and emotion that are unique to your partnership as you’ll be able to drop into these emotions with less reserve and shyness. An engagement shoot is a prime time to establish a connection with your photographer, making you more comfortable in front of the camera and ensuring a relaxed atmosphere on the big day.

Strategically selected engagement photo locations, whether they're iconic San Francisco landmarks or spots significant to your relationship, add a personalized narrative to your wedding’s visual story. Such images can be woven into your wedding in various forms, from invitations to ceremony displays, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for you and your guests.

Finalizing Guest Count and Private Events

One of the early decisions to make when planning your wedding at City Hall is the guest count, which can dictate the type of ceremony you choose—whether a private civil ceremony or a more elaborate private event. For intimate affairs, City Hall allows up to 6 individuals, encompassing the couple, witnesses, and any vendors such as your photographer. However, if a grander scale event is envisioned, options for up to 3000 guests are also available with corresponding fees.

Those opting for exclusive private events have the liberty to choose specific locales within the grand architecture of City Hall, like the stunning Rotunda or the Mayors Balcony, for hosting their nuptials. While these incur additional fees and require advanced booking, their grandeur is unmatched and having a private ceremony at this popular location will make for an intimate and personal experience. For instance, a Saturday Mayors Balcony ceremony encompassing about 200 guests provides a 2-hour window priced at $5000.

Civil ceremonies at City Hall have a pre-set structure, and personalized vows are not in the framework. Nonetheless, couples often find sentimental value in exchanging their personal vows at another point, adding a private and emotional component to their day.

Couple exchanges private wedding vows before their wedding ceremony

Getting the most out of your wedding photographer

San Francisco City Hall’s breathtaking scenery is a treasure trove for photography, and ensuring your photographer is well-acquainted with its multifaceted spaces will serve you well. A discussion with your photographer about your style preferences is paramount; clarify whether you lean towards a photojournalistic approach, favor the elegance of fine art, or prefer a distinctive blend of styles. If there are specific photo requests you have, let them know in advance. Sending photo examples (especially of photos you see in their portfolio) can be helpful in providing clarity and getting on the same page, and can determine which lenses they use and where they spend the most time with the two of you on your wedding day.

Good communication with your photographer about the desired timeline and specific locations within City Hall is imperative. This dialogue ensures that they are thoroughly equipped to capture moments that are not just visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.

Dedicate time to research San Francisco wedding photographers well ahead of your wedding. Combing through their portfolios and understanding their expertise will guide you to a photographer whose vision aligns with yours, setting the foundation for wedding images you will cherish a lifetime.

Wedding photography is instrumental in documenting the palpable joy and affection of your nuptials. Group photos, portraits of the couple, and candid emotional shots will become treasures that encapsulate the essence of the day. A skilled wedding photographer, especially one with expertise in San Francisco City Hall weddings, ensures the magic of your occasion is eternalized in beautiful photos.

As the photographer orchestrates the session, couples often find it to be a relaxed and enjoyable reprieve, an intimate space amidst the celebrations to connect and savor the moment. Thus, selecting a photographer whose style resonates with your vision, be it capturing natural, spontaneous moments, or composing gorgeous, directed poses, is central to the success of your wedding album.

Make sure you connect with the personality of your wedding photographer, as this can play a huge role in how comfortable you feel on your wedding day. You will be spending a significant amount of time with them during this special day, so having someone that you click with can make all of the difference in capturing these special moments.

Couple heading to their dinner reservation after finishing our photoshoot at San Francisco City Hall

Couples portraits after their wedding ceremony

The Day of Your City Hall Wedding

Navigating the logistics of your City Hall wedding requires a keen eye for timing and coordination. Bearing in mind that San Francisco City Hall is open for weddings Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, you'll need to strategically plan your ceremony within these parameters. Since the venue is a sought-after spot for tying the knot, couples should endeavor to secure their reservations online plenty of weeks in advance to ensure availability.

On the day itself, you and your small party (should you opt for a civil ceremony with a guest count limit of six) will make your way through the grand building, completed in 1915, with awe-inspiring architectural details and marble staircases serving as your backdrop. Some couples in recent years have adapted to the times by holding a small, intimate ceremony at City Hall, followed by a larger celebration later on, allowing for flexibility in their wedding plans. Scheduling a celebration dinner or even a full reception at another venue are popular choices for after the ceremony at City Hall.

As you step through the thresholds of City Hall, it's important to remember that this is a day of love and commitment, and while the surroundings are grand, the focus remains on the intimate moments you will share. Whether you have a private civil ceremony, make use of a friend or family member as your officiant, or reserve a spot like the iconic Rotunda, each choice personalizes your experience.

Enjoying the Beautiful Light of San Francisco's Bay Area

San Francisco's Bay Area is endowed with a multitude of natural backdrops that become the quintessential canvas for your wedding photography. Parks, gardens, coastal venues, and vineyards offer a breadth of stunning scenes, each with a distinct character that, combined with San Francisco's beautiful light, can produce captivating and atmospheric images.

Whether you're planning to stay within the city or venture out to the scenic surroundings for your wedding photos, the changing light of day can add an extra layer of enchantment. From the soft morning light that bathes City Hall's interior to the golden hour glow at Lands End or Baker Beach, there is a time and place for achieving a varying palette of moods.

Leveraging the insight of a local photographer experienced with the Bay Area's unique locations for wedding photos will enrich the visual narrative of your wedding story. This understanding ensures that your cherished memories are not only documented but are imbued with the magical play of light that San Francisco so famously provides.

A newly married couple share a kiss overlooking The Golden Gate Bridge after their City Hall Elopement

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff! Tips for stress-free wedding planning

The floral arrangements, the location, invitations, the guests, the food, your dramatic auntie, selecting the dress - it’s enough to make your head spin! Not to mention a global pandemic and navigating keeping your loved ones safe and while having a wedding with the level of closeness and connection you so deeply crave. Even when entrusting your day in the hands of a trained wedding planning professional, it is common to feel overwhelmed and anxious. After all - this is your big day! You want everything to be perfect, and there are no do-overs. Too much unnecessary stress removes to bliss out of your perfect day, and may bleed over into stress on loved ones and your partner. And let’s face it - no one wants to feel like they’re going crazy, or feeling dread for a day you have been looking forward to for so long!

Here’s some advice for moving through this complex process - how to stay calm during your wedding planning and how not to sweat the small stuff!

1. When your stress response is high, your body because edgy, irritated, or lethargic. No one wants to feel this way! Box breathing is one of many wonderful practices that can help calm you down in a pinch. I am not a medical professional and cannot give medical advice, but it is understood this technique can be quite useful for effective stress relief.

Step one: Exhale the air from your lungs to the count of four.

Step two: Keep your lungs empty for a count of four.

Step three: Inhale for a count of four.

Step four: Keep lungs full for a count of four

2)  In Stoic philosophy, it is acknowledged that our anxieties come from within. When we find ourselves in the midst events out of our control, we can remind ourselves that the one thing we CAN control is our response to this stress or circumstance. We can chose to be very upset, to lash out at others, to cry, to keep ourselves awake at night - or we can chose to remain unchanged, to stay positive, and to calmly work through the issue to create a viable solution, or to let things go which can truly not be changed.

“If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now.”

- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

3) Take a break! Perhaps it seems counter productive to suggest we step away from our planning rather than to work through the issue at hand, but breaks will allow us to be more effective when we are actually working. This is especially helpful when light exercise is involved, as getting the blood flowing can be an instant mood-booster! Go for a walk, do some yoga stretches, have a cup of tea on the patio. But please, PUT THE PHONE DOWN! Emails, texts, and calls can wait until you feel mentally recharged enough to handle anything that comes up.

How to Look Your Best In Your Wedding Photos

Bride Allison straight slaying at her Rush Creek Lodge Yosemite wedding.

Embrace surprises and the unexpected

Much in life and marriage is like our wedding day. We may not always be prepared for changes or surprises, but we have to roll through every event as a strong and powerful duo. Whether that means a scheduling mishap, running behind schedule, bad weather, forgotten items or hungover groomsmen, don’t let anything spoil your attitude and the joy of your day.

Allow Enough Time  

30 min to an hour should be scheduled into the day for the bride and groom’s portraits. The longer the better, in my opinion. The portrait session can create an unexpected “scheduled” time for being (mostly) alone with your partner, and a pleasant retreat from the stimulus of the event. And so for this reason, having designated alone time will never be time wasted.

Outdoor ceremonies

Early evening light, the few hours before sundown, is fantastic for gorgeous glowing light, and reduces harsh shadows caused by high, direct sunshine. If you do not of the leisure of planning your portraits at this time - seek out some shade for soft, even light which most flatters the face.

Posture

Do what your momma told you! Stand straight! No slouching - an upright posture makes you appear healthy, strong and confident. And be sure to remind your partner, too!

Relax your mind

The emotions will be raging like a whirlwood come wedding day. A calm and present mind will not only sooth your psyche, but remove any hints of nervousness or distraction in your face once it’s time to take portraits.

Do a hair and makeup trial

This is imperative! You want to LOVE how you look, and make sure you will be presenting exactly how you envision. There are no do-overs on this day, and feeling self conscious because of a styling mishap is not something you want to look back on.

Consider Shooting a First Look

A non-conventional “first look” will be an excellent opportunity to catch the raw response to seeing your partner for the very first time. This may also be a good chance to schedule your portraits before the ceremony instead of afterwards. So, you get two opportunities to relax and put your best face forward. Highly recommend.

Show real emotion

“Fake it til you make it” should NOT apply to your wedding photos. You don’t want a plastic smile, you want looks of pure joy! Don’t focus on the photographer, focus on your partner and you won’t be able to stop smiling and laughing. Be playful with each other. You’ll love the results.

Trust your photographer

Have you considered doing an engagement shoot before the wedding? This allows you to build rapport with your photographer and getting a better feel for how to work together. Come wedding day, this should be a breeze! You should (hopefully) already know and trust one another. Follow their lead, and you will be sure to have the memories you will love for a lifetime.

Tips for your Engagement Session

I am often asked by my couples, how do I prepare for the engagement session?

This is a unique time for the couple to experience intimate and fun moments of being themselves without all the bells and whistles of the big day. I’ve compiled a list of my best engagement photo tips to ensure this unique session goes smoothly.

1. Make the session personally relevant to you. Do you two spend long Sundays on the beach with the dog? Head to the shore and bring the pooch! Are you two the outdoorsy types? Find a location and hit the trails! The chosen setting should feel calm, relaxing, and ideally include some significance to any couple. Ideas may include a similar setting to where the two meet, where leisure time is spent, or hobbies and interests. Make sure you select a location that puts you at ease and makes you feel like “home”.

2. Wear something you’re comfortable that feels authentically “you”. There’s no harm in dressing up to the nines but consider scaling it down for this session. Do hire a makeup artist or hair stylist if you do not feel comfortable styling yourself, but formal wear or gowns look out of place in engagement sessions. Think of how you would dress for a casual afternoon together, or perhaps for an evening out with your partner. But don’t forget to steam or iron your clothing before the shoot!

 3. Make a full day couple’s date including of your session. This puts you in a relaxed state of mind and in a very present and connected place with your partner. You’re already having fun with your partner! This energy will easily spill over into light hearted and happy images. You don’t want to carry the stress into the session from a long day at work, or and you don’t want to worry about rushing somewhere immediately afterwards.

4. Prepare for discomfort and know this is normal and natural. Often, one partner is more awkward whereas the other feels more enthusiastic and takes the lead. Others just freeze in front of the camera. Most people are not models, do not have model bodies, and are not used to “posing” on request. Instead, think of your session as time spent lovingly engaging with your partner, and not a “photoshoot”. Hold hands, talk about your day, enjoy the moment. When in doubt, lean in for a kiss!

5. Don’t overthink it. Let things naturally happen, and consider this session “practice” for the wedding day. If you have an exact vision for your shoot, be able to share that with your photographer. The purpose of this session is to convey who you are as a couple and create a time capsule of this unique and exciting point in your relationship. Save the formalities and production for the big day. Being yourself is the best advice I can give!

Kelsey and Ian rocking it at San Francisco Botanical Gardens

Trends for the 2018-2019 Wedding Season

Destination weddings

Couples are going outside for their photos! Instagram-worthy destinations have never been more popular since the rise of social media! San Francisco City Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts, and Mt. Tamalpais are some of my favorite spots for standout Bay Area elopements.

Cutting the guest list

Couples have been ditching extravagant gatherings in favor for smaller, intimate ceremonies. Culling your invites down to the closest relatives can not only be easier on the budget, but ensure more interaction with those who really count.

Capes and sleeves

Capes are making a comeback! Full of drama and elegance, this look has been seen everywhere.

A twist on the conventional wedding party

I am absolutely loving this wedding with the two grandmothers as flower girls! What a beautiful way to honor these women and put your own spin on tradition.

Ditching the diamond

Emeralds, sapphires and other gemstones have been seen replacing the classic diamond ring.

Mismatched bridesmaids

What better way to allow your bridesmaids to express their own taste and style? Keep it to a particular color palette and let everyone’s individual beauty glow!

Minimal cakes

I am obsessed with this minimalism and simplicity!

Cascading bouquets

There is nothing subtle about these florals. These arrangements may appear quite freshly gathered from the garden, but the assembly can actually be quite complex and intricate. Be sure to hire a professional florist before you make a statement with this bouquet.

Posing Tips for Brides

One of my most frequently asked questions from my brides is “How do I pose in my photos? What do I need to do to look my best?”. Understandably, most of my clients are not professional models. Often, it can feel awkward, intimidating or embarrassing to “put on” to a camera for hours on end. The last thing any bride wants to do is be hung up these details. I’ve created a short list of what I feel are the top 5 tips on how to pose for your wedding photos or your bridal portrait session.

1 ) Angle The Body. Turning the body at a slight angle or profile is often more flattering on the figure. Women come in all shapes and sizes, but a good guideline for any body type is to not always face straight towards the camera. This reduces the width of the body and creates more depth and dimension to the silhouette. For some added curvature and natural pose, try shifting weight from one knee to the next. This pops the hips and removes any rigidity to the stance.

2) Be mindful of hands. It can feel quite anchoring to busy hands with a bouquet, a gentle tug of the dress, the fixing of the earring or the gaze towards the ring. As often as the face, an awkwardly placed or stiff hand can be a sign of discomfort or the “I don’t know what to do-s!”. These small motions are excellent at creating natural movements. Much like we mentioned in tip #1 - consider also keeping hands at an angle! Don’t believe me? Try this in the mirror! Hold your hand out next your face, palms facing the mirror, allowing the hand to take up as much space as it can. Now, tilt your hand at a 45 degree angle to the mirror. The hand appears smaller and much less of a space-consuming distraction.

3) Correct the posture. A straight spine and upright posture makes a subject appear alert, awake, healthy, energized, and confident. This can be difficult to maintain throughout such a tiring day, but this simple tip should not go ignored during your bridal portrait session. Practice in the mirror until this starts to feel less stiff of a stance.

4) Keep all expressions and movements natural. We’ve all seen that stiff and fake smile. We all want to look like we’re having fun, right?! But after too long, the face muscles stiffen and we start to look like walking caricatures of our happy selves. Let’s banish the myth we always have to smile and stare straight into the lens! Glance at your flowers or downwards in quiet serenity. Take a deep breath, and enjoy a moment of quiet bliss while thinking of your love or taking in the location. Laugh if you feel like laughing, shed a tear if you must, even do a little dance! Lose yourself in the moment and stay present.

5) Mind Over Matter. One of the most wonderful impacts of the Body Positivity movement is women from all walks of life, age, color, ability and size are able to feel empowered and beautiful just the way they are! It is normal to deeply desire looking your absolute best on your wedding day. During this great celebration, let’s throw our insecurities out the window and indulge in our dreams come true! Small nagging doubts and hangups about our physical appearance will remove us from this experience and drain our joy. Remember - YOU are someone’s fairytale come true, so be sure to extend a whole lot of extra love to yourself!