From Elopements to Large Ceremonies

With its stunning French Renaissance architecture set in what many (foremost, yours truly!) would consider the absolute Jewel of America, San Francisco City Hall is the perfect place to tie the knot with your beloved. The architecture is designed to stun and the financial accessibility of exchanging vows in one of the most stunning buildings on the West Coast cannot be beat. Whether you’re eloping with just your partner, hosting a small guest list, or throwing a full evening wedding – the possibilities for a San Francisco City Hall wedding truly are as unique and customizable as you and your love story. 

3 Simple Steps to Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall:

1.Decide between a Civil Ceremony or a Private Ceremony

San Francisco City Hall offers its prospective couples 4 options: A Civil Ceremony, a One Hour Wedding, a Two Hour Wedding or an Evening/ Weekend Wedding. 



• Civil Ceremony $234: a Civil Ceremony at San Francisco City Hall is the most economical and simple option available. This option includes a public officiant to marry you. Your guest count must be 6 or less (including your photographer) and must be booked in advance for a Monday-Friday. You may choose between a public or confidential marriage license. Your photographer can also act as your witness. Your ceremony will take place in the Atrium above the Grand Staircase or another public location depending on the day – an absolutely stunning and affordable option. At the time of this writing, this option is $234 total for the Marriage License and Marriage Appointment. 

• One Hour Wedding $1,124: The One Hour Wedding Option is an amazing option if you’d like a simple, but larger ceremony on a modest budget that is a bit more out of the way of tourists and others roaming City Hall. This option requires you to bring your own ordained officiant and have a guest count of 100 or less. One Hour weddings must be booked in advance for a Monday-Friday and will take place on either the Mayor’s Balcony overlooking the Grand Staircase or in the 4th Floor Gallery – both incredibly beautiful options. With this option you are also permitted to rent chairs for your guests, have live acoustic music chosen from a pre-approved list of musicians, and even bring a hand supported chuppah with advance approval. Your ceremony must conclude within the hour allotted and no food or beverage service is permitted. At the time of this writing, this option is $1,124 for the building access and marriage license, not including chair rentals or musicians. 

• Two Hour Wedding $5,124: The Two Hour Wedding option is the perfect option if you want to exchange vows privately in front of your guests on the Grand Staircase in the Main Rotunda of San Francisco City Hall. Because San Francisco City Hall is a working government building and the Rotunda is in constant use, this option is only available on Saturday mornings and must be booked in advance. This option includes chairs for up to 200 guests. Your ceremony must be completely wrapped up within the 2 hours allotted. This option requires you to bring your own officiant. You may also be permitted to have food and beverage service with advance approval. At the time of this writing, this option is $5,124 for the building access, 200 chairs, and the marriage license.

• Evening/Weekend Wedding $10,124 +: The Evening/Weekend Wedding option is the most private option available at San Francisco City Hall and also definitely the most customizable. Costs will vary dramatically depending on the needs of your ceremony, but at the time of this writing the base pricing for an Evening or Weekend Wedding is $10,124. Contact City Hall directly for more options.

2.Book Your Reservation!

Once you and your partner have decided on what kind of San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony you want to have, the rest of the process is very simple (bless!) 

• For Civil Ceremonies, schedule a marriage license and marriage ceremony appointment together, easily and directly through the Office of the County Clerk’s website.
• For One hour and Two hour weddings, check availability on City Hall’s Wedding Availability Calendar and decide on a couple potential dates that would work before submitting a reservation request. You’ll need to get your Marriage License separately, so be sure to make an appointment to appear in person on the County Clerk's website. One Hour weddings must be booked at least 30 days in advance, and Two Hour Weddings must be booked at least 90 days in advance. Each couple gets ONE complimentary hold on a date. 
• For Evening/ Weekend Weddings: Contact City Hall to check availability for your desired date. From there you’ll be able to either book your date or challenge an existing hold on your desired date. Event planning will commence after you’ve signed the contract. Follow the steps listed above for obtaining a Marriage License. 

3.Come Prepared! What to Bring to Your Marriage License Appointment:

• Both of you will need to appear in person to apply for your Marriage License 
• Valid Government ID
• Payment 

Plan Now, Party Later

Whether you’re planning an extravagant bash with 200 guests or an intimate elopement at San Francisco City Hall, it's the small details that make it the most special. As a Documentary Wedding Photographer that adores the details here are some things I’d suggest: rings, veil, vows, and florals. Some unconventional ideas: a brooch on the Groom's lapel instead of a boutonniere, family jewelry hanging from the Bride’s bouquet, your wedding date embroidered unexpectedly on the hem of the veil. As a side note: If you’re looking for a place to feed + gather with your guests post ceremony, I highly recommend Wayfare Tavern, conveniently located nearby and stunningly designed. 

The very best part about getting married at San Francisco City Hall is the simplicity of the process. There is nowhere else in the Bay Area that you can tie the knot so beautifully AND inexpensively. If you follow the steps above your wedding should be a stream-lined, simple (dare I say even fun!) process to plan and prepare for. For couples seeking a laid back Californian, romantic, classic vibe to their wedding day with minimal fuss, San Francisco City Hall is the place. As a photographer I will forever have a soft spot for this stunning architectural gem prominently placed in my favorite city in the world. You simply cannot go wrong. If you'd like to chat more about how we can make your wedding day the most special, I'm *always* on board for a San Francisco City Hall wedding.