San Francisco City Hall Weddings: Everything You Need to Know
Planning a San Francisco City Hall wedding? Whether you’re having an intimate elopement or bringing a small group of friends and family, City Hall is one of the most iconic and elegant places to get married in California. Here’s how to have a smooth experience, and to walk away with wedding photos you’ll actually love.
Booking Your San Francisco City Hall Wedding
To get married at San Francisco City Hall, you’ll need to lock in two appointments through the County Clerk’s Office:
- Marriage License Appointment
- Marriage Ceremony Reservation
You can schedule both online at sfgov.org. If you’re planning a quick elopement and want a County Clerk to officiate, book a Civil Ceremony. These are short, simple, and offered Monday through Friday between 9am and 3:30pm. Appointments open 90 days out and book up fast, especially Fridays and dates like 2/2/25 or 5/5/25.
Want a more private experience? Reserve the Fourth Floor Galleries or the Mayor’s Balcony for an hour-long ceremony. These locations give you space to breathe and time to savor the moment with your guests. Reservations open a year in advance and are especially popular for weekday weddings.
Best Times for Photos at San Francisco City Hall
SF City Hall is stunning all day, but if you want photos with fewer people in the background, aim for an early morning ceremony. Between 9am and 10am, the soft natural light pours through the massive windows, and the building feels calm and peaceful.
Avoid Fridays if you can. They’re the busiest day by far. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are your best bet. Also skip holidays and repeat-number dates, they’re wedding central. And yes, I’ll probably be grabbing a coffee before our shoot. You’re more than welcome to join.
Top Photo Locations Inside City Hall
As a San Francisco wedding photographer who’s worked at City Hall countless times, I’ve got the inside scoop on where to get the best wedding photos. Here are the top spots:
- The Grand Staircase: a must for the classic City Hall staircase photos
- Fourth Floor Galleries: bright, clean light that flatters everyone
- Mayor’s Balcony: perfect symmetry, dramatic architecture
- Third Floor Windows: ideal for soft, romantic portraits
- Front Entrance: dome views and that iconic City Hall backdrop
After your ceremony, we can step outside for some variety. Hayes Valley is right around the corner, think charming streets, boutique storefronts, and maybe a pit stop at Ritual Coffee or Smitten Ice Cream if you’re into it. Alternately, we can also head out to somewhere on the waterfront, like Marshall’s Beach or Sutro Baths for amazing views of the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the golden hour sunset (if we time it right!).
The Best Wedding Photos Aren’t Always Posed
Yes, we’ll get the timeless portraits. But some of the best SF City Hall photos come from the unscripted moments, the glance between you two before the ceremony, the deep breath right after you say your vows, the little things no one else notices. That’s the good stuff. That’s what I look for.
Parking and Arrival Tips
Parking in the Civic Center area can be rough. The Civic Center Garage (355 McAllister) is the safest and most reliable option, but not the cheapest. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to handle security and find your ceremony location.
All guests will go through a metal detector, so keep bags light and give your crew a heads-up.
Bonus tip: If you’re wearing heels, pack some flats. Between staircases, long hallways, and any extra walking we do for photos, your feet will thank you later.
Let’s Make This Easy
I offer flexible City Hall elopement and wedding photography packages for everything from quick weekday ceremonies to extended photo sessions around San Francisco. Whether you’re looking for simple SF City Hall photos or a full experience with stops around the city, I’m here to help keep things relaxed, efficient, and fun.
This isn’t a production. It’s your wedding day. I’m just here to help you remember it with honesty, and with photographs that feel like you.
