San Francisco City Hall Weddings: 5 Things to Keep in Mind When Planning
by Mark Pereyra
San Francisco's City Hall is absolutely stunning and a perfect place to take engagement and wedding photos. The historic building is a beautiful backdrop for your special day. However, since it is a public, government building, it can be a little tricky to navigate.
But don't worry, we've got you covered with these five tips to help you make the most out of your time there:
Tip #1: Try avoiding booking on Fridays.
This isn’t too bad for a Friday taken at 1:30PM. But you can imagine during peak hours - DOZENS of people.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally your best bet for visiting City Hall as a wedding venue, as these days tend to be less busy and crowded. This can make it easier to navigate the building, take your time getting ready, and capture beautiful photographs without any interruptions. However, Mondays can also work in a pinch if you're trying to avoid the crowds. Keep in mind that Mondays can mean an extension of the weekend, which means more people around-so if you want a completely empty staircase in your photos, go earlier in the week. Furthermore, it's a good idea to check the office hours and schedule an appointment in advance, this way you can avoid any long wait times and have a more pleasant experience.
Tip # 2 Arrive early or after 3:30 PM.
One of the ways we get a completely empty staircase in photos is by arriving right when City Hall opens. This way, you'll have the opportunity to take your time and capture the beautiful architecture and grand staircase without any interruptions or other people in the background. As the day progresses, clusters of guests and couples start to congregate at the base of the stairs and the civil ceremonies happen at the rotunda on top of the stairs so there is almost always a group at the top. This is why it's ideal to schedule your arrival time as early as possible. The last ceremony spot is 3:30 PM, so afterwords is another opportunity for photos.
Tip #3: Get your marriage license early
City Hall, while beautiful, is a government building so it’s easy for things to run behind or get lost in the shuffle when things are busy. To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, it's a good idea to get your marriage license early. This will give you the peace of mind that everything is in order and you won't have to worry about any last-minute delays or complications. Also, don't forget to check the City Hall's website for any updates on the process or requirements before you go. It'll save you a headache later on.
Tip #4: Transportation options
One option for transportation to your city wedding is to utilize a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. These convenient and reliable services can help you and your wedding party arrive at your destination on time and in style. However, if you have a large number of guests attending your wedding, or if you prefer to have your own transportation, the Civic Center Parking Garage is a great option to consider. Make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date parking rates. Also, don't forget to take advantage of the opportunities to take photos outside of City Hall! San Francisco offers endless opportunities for stunning wedding photos outside of the venue.
Here’s where the Civic Center Garage is located (0.1 miles)
Tip#5: Consider a small guest count
At most 6 people (but really only 2 or 3). You want this photo session to be fun and meaningful without being too stressful on either side of your families/friends as well as yourselves! By keeping it small, you'll not only save time but also money and you will have the chance to have a more relaxed and intimate experience.
We hope these tips were helpful! If you're still looking for photographers and videographers to capture your big day, get in touch with us!