If you’re planning a San Francisco City Hall Wedding, you’re in the right place. As a photographer who documents anywhere from 30–50 City Hall weddings every year, I know the ins and outs of the process, from quick civil ceremonies to full-day rentals.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan the perfect San Francisco City Hall Wedding, with tips on booking, timing, and photography.
Quick Civil Ceremony: The Classic San Francisco City Hall Wedding
The most common option couples choose is the civil ceremony. Here’s what to know:
- Length: A 5-minute ceremony (though booked in 15-minute slots).
- Location: Typically held on the rotunda or the top of the grand staircase.
- Guests: Officially limited to 6 (photographer included)—though in practice, I’ve seen 10–15 without issue.
- Availability: Bookable 90 days in advance, starting at 9:00 a.m. PST. Pro tip: set a calendar reminder to secure your date.
Photography tip: I recommend the 9:30 a.m. slot and starting portraits at 8 a.m., before crowds arrive.
Important: You’ll need two appointments, one for your marriage license (book this first!) and one for the civil ceremony. Please book your marriage licensed appointment on a different day as we will be going around City Hall for couple portraits in the morning of your ceremony 🙂
One-Hour San Francisco City Hall Wedding Reservations
If you’d like a more private experience, City Hall offers one-hour reservations:
- The Mayor’s Balcony: Darker lighting but beautiful staircase views. Seats up to 40 guests.
- The Fourth Floor Galleries: Bright, airy, and elegant (my personal favorite). Seats up to 60 guests.
Note: You cannot bring a speaker. City Hall provides a list of approved musicians, like violinists or harpists.
Photography tip: Book at least 3 hours of coverage—two for portraits, one for the ceremony + family photos.
Saturday San Francisco City Hall Wedding Rentals
Did you know you can rent out San Francisco City Hall for your wedding?
- Ceremony: Often held on the grand staircase.
- Reception: The staircase area can be flipped into a reception space.
- Lighting: Hire additional lighting—it gets dark fast.
- Planner: Highly recommended to manage logistics.
There’s also a smaller two-hour Saturday rental option (usually at 10 a.m. or 12 p.m.) for couples wanting a shorter celebration.
Evening San Francisco City Hall Weddings After Hours
Another option is hosting your wedding after City Hall closes to the public at 6 p.m.
- Pros: Exclusive use of the building at night.
- Cons: Portraits must be taken earlier in the day while it’s crowded.
- Lighting: By 6:30 p.m., it’s dark—flash or added lighting is essential.
This is a more budget-friendly way to have a private San Francisco City Hall Wedding without renting the venue for the full day.
Photography Tips for Your City Hall Wedding
From photographing dozens of San Francisco City Hall weddings each year, here’s what I recommend:
- Morning is magic: Start portraits at 8 a.m. before tourists arrive.
- Book your license early: Do this on a different day from your ceremony.
- Expect crowds: Multiple weddings may happen at once. I’ll help navigate for clean, private-looking shots.
- Stick to limits: 6 guests for civil ceremonies, 40–60 for reserved events.
Why Hire a San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer?
City Hall weddings are elegant yet busy. With an experienced photographer:
- You’ll be guided through where to stand, when to walk, and how to pose naturally.
- Logistics with staff, tourists, and other couples will be handled for you.
- You’ll leave with editorial, timeless photos that truly capture your story.
Planning your own San Francisco City Hall Wedding?
No matter which ceremony you choose—civil, reserved, Saturday rental, or evening—a SF City Hall Wedding is always breathtaking.
If you’re looking for a photographer who knows the space like the back of her hand and can make your day seamless, I’d love to connect with you.
