Creating a Unique and Memorable San Francisco City Hall Wedding: Your Comprehensive Guide to an Exceptional SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL Elopement or Intimate Wedding
I set down and wrote this guide for couples who are envisioning a beautiful and intimate wedding experience that’s far from cookie-cutter and emphasizes the importance of artistry, unique moments, and a memorable experience. In this guide, we will explore how to create an exceptional San Francisco City Hall wedding, I will share an example plan and timeline and tips for crafting an unforgettable event.
For a very long time, I wanted to write a blog post for couples who are interested in having their intimate ceremony in San Francisco City Hall. I noticed that the information is never complete and couples are not presented with all the options they have. The building is absolutely stunning and there are possibilities to customize and create a beautiful and memorable experience for you and your guests. But first, let’s talk about the Civil Ceremony and why I think that this is not the right option for you. This is a 10-minute cookie-cutter ceremony where the officiant marries couples one after another, limited to six guests in the Rotunda. Very often, the guests of the next couple are staying nearby, chatting and really the experience is unpleasant. You are not allowed to exchange vows and after 10 minutes you have to leave, so the next couple to step in. This is not something I will recommend for couples coming from out of state to have their wedding day in San Francisco City Hall.
San Francisco City Hall is a magnificent building with epic architecture. It is an absolute example of Beaux-Arts architecture (an academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, particularly from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century.). The principal architect was Arthur Brown, Jr., of Bakewell & Brown, whose attention to the finishing details extended to the doorknobs and the typeface.
With all this beauty and history, it is not a surprise that San Francisco city hall is a very attractive destination wedding location. Let’s first explore the three options you have for a wedding there.
The Civil Ceremony
this is the simplest and fastest ceremony with an officiant provided by the San Francisco City Hall. No personalization is allowed. For the best experience, I will recommend that you to avoid that option, because it feels very cookie-cutter and so not personal.
The Location: is at the top of the Grand Staircase in the Rotunda
The time: Monday to Friday (9.00 am - 3.30 pm)
Guests: limited to 6.
You can reserve that through The official SF.Gov website
Before the ceremony, you need to check into the County Clerk’s office. It is good to dedicate some 30 minutes to an hour to the check-in process.
The Private Ceremony
This is a one-hour option for you to have a private ceremony.
The Location: you are presented with two options here:
Mayor's Balcony: Overlooking the grand Rotunda, this space provides a stunning backdrop and allows personalization. /Although beautiful, there is a big possibility that while you are getting married, behind you there will be a few other couples getting married in the Rotunda
Fourth Floor Gallery: An elegant, light-filled setting for a more intimate atmosphere. This is the most private option for you.
The time: Monday to Friday with different time slots.
Guests: Mayor’s Balcony (up to 40), 4th floor Gallery (up to 60)
You can reserve those options through The official SF City Hall Event Page
This option of a private ceremony in San Francisco city hall allows you to personalize your ceremony: you can have acoustic musicians, floral decor, and a display table. You will have to provide your own officiant and it is important to know that food and beverages are not permitted.
You can book this option for up to two years and reserve the date you like. The process can be done fully remotely and it is ideal for destination intimate weddings.
You will have to rent the chairs separately. For this type of experience, I recommend that you hire a local wedding designer and planner, who will ensure that everything will go smoothly and you will have the best options presented to you. If you would like some recommendations and names, I would love to do that for you, just send me an email here.
Real Life examples of the one-hour private ceremony:
Rachel and Aayush intimate San Francisco wedding ceremony took place at the Fourth Floor Gallery with acoustic musicians and an officiant recommended by the San Francisco City Hall preferred vendor list. We started the day, together - with Rachel and Aayush getting ready for their beautiful hotel room. After the ceremony, we drove to Bodega Bay and had a little picnic set up specifically for them with cake and champagne.
Veronica and Adam had an intimate celebration for their 18th guests. Since the wedding was a destination for everyone, they wanted for the guests to explore the beauty of our gorgeous city. They started the day in the Fairmont Hotel where they were getting ready and had a ceremony at the Mayor’s Balcony in San Francisco City Hall. After the ceremony, we took some images on the Fourth Floor Gallery and in front of the remarkable building and then with a specially rented bus to drive all of their guests around remarkable spots in San Francisco with champagne and some bites. We visited places like the San Francisco Golden Gate, Legion of Honor, Ocean Beach, and De Young Museum. Then Wayfare Tavern created the perfect atmosphere with cocktails and dinner.
Here are some of the most interesting locations for private lunch and dinner, where you can bring your party for the ultimate experience and cuisine in San Francisco:
La Societe Cafe
Wayfare Tavern
Foreign Cinema outdoor and indoor option
Lazy Bear
Del Popolo outdoor and indoor option
Starbell
25 Lusk up to 35 guests for private dining
Spruce up to 40 guests
Stable Cafe outdoor option
Proper Hotel with four different options and amazing interiors
The SATURDAY Ceremony
Ideal for couples who would like to have the whole building for themselves, with more guests and privacy.
The time: Saturdays with two slots: 9.00 am and 12.00 pm
The Location: You have the whole building for yourselves. The ceremony takes place on the grand staircase.
Guests: Up to 200
Maximum guest count: 200
You can reserve these options through The Official SF City Hall Event Page
The two-hour option is great and not only will allow you to have your beautiful ceremony on the epic staircase, but also romantic portraits in the whole building and some formal portraits with your guests. There are no other people allowed in the City Hall on Saturday, so your event will really be private. You can have a small champagne reception.
And again if you would like to be fully present at your wedding I will recommend that you to hire a talented wedding designer and planner, that will customize your event for you and will personalize it.
Here are some general rules applying to San Francisco City Hall:
Avoid Fridays and plan early to mid-week
San Francisco is only open for public weddings from Monday through Friday, and Fridays tend to be the absolute busiest days since it’s the last day before the weekend. The best days are Tuesday or Wednesday.
Aim for early mornings or late in the afternoon
If you want to have the grand staircase completely for yourself on a weekday, the only possibility is to be there right when the City Hall opens at 8.00 am.
Hire a wedding planner and designer
If you would like to be fully present on your wedding day, I highly recommend for you to hire wedding planner. They are higly organized and will take all the pressure from your shoulders.
Rent a transportation for you and your guests
Last years San Francisco is constantly in the news with car brake ins, attacks of photographers and other not very pleasant things. We love our beautiful city, but things like that is happening often and a little safety can save you a lots of travels. I personally ask couples to avoid places like Palace of Fine Art and the best way to have the best experience is to hire a transportation for you and your guests. If you would like to show your guests the most of our beautiful city - maybe you can consider this. The drivers are very kind and nice, they stay in the buss and it is easiest way in terms of parking, security and even fun.
How the day will look like (example timeline for San Francisco City Hall elopement)
let’s say that you are coming from out of California and just like Veronica and Adam you want an adventurous experience and to show your guests San Francisco.
9. 00 am - 11. 00 am - getting ready, details, portraits, have fun in the hotel room
11.30 am - 12.00 pm - transportation to City Hall / Veronica and Adam rented a bus that fits all of their 18guests + the photographer + the planner. The rental bus was filled with drinks and beverages. The couple traveled to the San Francisco City Hall
12.00 pm - 1. 00pm - City Hall portraits at the 4th floor gallery, guests are arriving.
1.00pm - 2.00pm - Ceremony at the Mayor’s Balcony, family portraits and signing the mariage license
2.00pm - 5.30pm - Exploring San Francisco with the bus rental - we stoped at Golden Gate, Legion of Honor, De Young museum and any other meaningful spots for the couple
5.30 pm - 6.00 pm - Transportation to Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco
6.00 pm - 9.00 pm - private dinner at Wayfare Tavern
With a range of ceremonies and countless possibilities, you can craft a day that leaves you and your guests with unforgettable memories. If you have any questions or need more recommendations, don't hesitate to reach out. And if you are looking for a San Francisco City Hall film wedding photographer? You can learn more about my service at the link below:
