How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall

2/13/2020

San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful places to get married with its grand staircase, elegant architecture, and romantic light streaming through the windows. As a local San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer, I've worked with so many couples to capture all the big and small moments of their wedding day. Whether you're looking to elope with just the two of you or want to have a full day wedding, check out this guide on how to get married at San Francisco City Hall for more info on common questions like different options (civil ceremony vs. 1-hour ceremony), costs, logistics, and sample timelines for photography coverage.

This San Francisco City Hall Elopement and Wedding Guide covers:
1. Why get married at San Francisco City Hall?
2. What are my options for getting married at San Francisco City Hall?
3. What is the process for getting married at San Francisco City Hall?
4. What should I know before getting married at San Francisco City Hall?
5. How can I make my wedding day special?
6. How far in advance do I need to plan for my San Francisco City Hall wedding?
7. How many hours of photography coverage do I need?
8. Where can I host my reception after?

Why get married at San Francisco City Hall?

If you've ever seen photos of San Francisco City Hall, you'll probably know that the photos speak for themselves. Check out some galleries to see photos of San Francisco City Hall weddings and elopements:

What are my options for getting married at San Francisco City Hall?

There are 4 ways to get married at San Francisco City Hall:

Civil Ceremony: Available Weekdays 9 AM-3:30 PM, Maximum 6 guests, Costs $90, Public
1-Hour Ceremony: Available Weekdays 9 AM-3 PM, Maximum 40 guests for Mayor's Balcony or 60 guests for 4th Floor Gallery *Or up to 100 guests standing, Costs $1000 + Chair Rental Fee, Semi-Private
2-Hour Ceremony: Available Saturdays 9 AM-12 PM, Maximum 200 guests, Costs $5000, Private
Full Wedding: Available Weekdays and Weekend Evenings, Maximum 3000 guests, Costs $10,000-$30,000, Private

Type of Ceremony	Availability	Guest Limit	Cost	Public or Private
Civil Ceremony	Weekdays 9AM - 1PM	6	$90	Public
1-Hour Ceremony	Weekdays 9AM - 3PM	40 for Mayor's Balcony 60 for 4th Floor Gallery (100 standing)	$1000 + Chairs	Semi-Private
2-Hour Ceremony	Saturdays 9AM - 12PM	200	$5000	Private
Full Wedding	Weekdays and Weekend Evenings	3000	$10,000+	Private

Most couples opt for the civil ceremony when looking to just have an intimate elopement. If you have more guests or want more privacy, the 1-hour ceremony is a great option.

What is the process for getting married at San Francisco City Hall?

Civil Ceremony

Make an appointment for your marriage license* ($110) and civil ceremony ($90). (*If you don't live in SF, you can also get your marriage license elsewhere in California, which might also be cheaper as rates are set by the county!) Appointments can be booked up to 90 days in advance - book your civil ceremony first as dates fill up much quicker. While there are usually openings even 2 weeks out, it's best to book as soon as you know your preferred date. Popular dates such as 2/20/20 may be booked up as soon as the date opens up. If you are scheduling your marriage license for the same day as your ceremony, book your marriage license appointment at least 1 hour before the ceremony appointment. However, I recommend scheduling them for different days so it's less stressful on your wedding day.
Plan for your wedding day! Start by hiring a photographer. You can also choose to have a wedding bouquet, write your own personal vows for after the ceremony, or plan a day full of adventure to chase the sunset together.
On the day of your ceremony, arrive at least 10 minutes early and check in at the Office of County Clerk in Room 168. You'll get in line and go to the first desk for check in. You'll then receive a number and wait outside in the hallway. Once your number is called, bring your 1 or 2 witness(es) and go to the desk on the left where you'll meet the marriage commissioner who will officiate your wedding. (If you're eloping with just the two of you, your photographer can also be your witness!) The witness(es) will sign the official marriage license, and you'll also sign a commemorative certificate.
Head to the top of the staircase to wait for the marriage commissioner. Typically there are up to 3 ceremonies for each half-hour slot, so the marriage commissioner will wait until all couples have checked in before heading upstairs. Once it's your turn, you'll be called up, say a few words, exchange rings, and say I do!

1-Hour Ceremony

Mayor's Balcony

4th Floor Gallery

Check the SF City Hall events calendar to check availability for your preferred date(s), then contact the office by phone at (415)554-6079 to make your reservation. You can choose the 4th Floor North or South Gallery (North Gallery recommended for gorgeous light streaming through the windows) or the Mayor's Balcony (offers views of the grand staircase). Bookings can be made up at least 3 weeks and up to 24 months in advance. If your date is available, you can place a hold on that date. If another hold is on that date, you can challenge that hold. To officially book your ceremony, submit the contract and 75% rental deposit. Final payment is due at least 5 days prior to the ceremony date.
Make an appointment for your marriage license* ($110). (*If you don't live in SF, you can also get your marriage license elsewhere in California, which might also be cheaper as rates are set by the county!) If you are scheduling your marriage license for the same day as your ceremony, make sure to book your marriage license appointment at least 1 hour before the ceremony. However, I recommend scheduling them for different days so it's less stressful.
Plan for your wedding day! Start by hiring a photographer and an officiant (or have a friend become a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day). Rent chairs through SF City Hall. You can also choose to have a wedding party, acoustic music, and reception after.
On the day of your ceremony, head to your ceremony location where you'll say I do!

Two-Hour Weddings and Full Weddings
For private weddings, check out the San Francisco City Hall Events Office for more info on 2-hour weddings and evening weddings.

What should I know before getting married at San Francisco City Hall?

It can be crowded. Unless you're booking the private ceremony, SF City Hall is open to the public which means that there are multiple couples getting married, photoshoots going on, tour groups, and just everyday working people. While the 1-hour ceremony does allow you private use of the space, there will still be people around City Hall. This is why as a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer, I edit each gallery extensively to remove people from the background.
Book the last ceremony of the day. For civil ceremonies, I recommend booking the 3:30 PM slot, and for 1-hour ceremonies, I recommend booking the 3 PM slot. SF City Hall tends to be less busy towards the end of the day as tours have left and there are no more ceremonies after yours, which means it'll be easier to capture the iconic shots on the staircase and balcony. Plus it'll allow you to get golden hour sunset portraits or plan for a dinner reception!
The 6-guest limit for civil ceremonies is strict. While in previous years this guest limit has not always been strictly enforced, it has become more strict as of 2019. If you do have more than 6 guests (5 if you have a photographer, as the photographer counts as 1), you have 2 options: you can get married in a room instead of the rotunda, or have 5 of your guests come to the rotunda while your other guests remain on the bottom of the staircase.

How can I make my wedding day special?

Plan a first look. If you're arriving separately, having a first look of when you see each other for the first time is such a sweet way to start off the day. I recommend pre-arranging meet-up locations so that you don't accidentally see each other!

San Francisco City Hall Wedding First Look

Write your own personal vows. Since the civil ceremony is quick (usually 5-10 minutes), saying your personal vows after is one of the best ways you can take in all the emotions of your wedding day. If you prefer more privacy and/or love adventuring to the outdoors, you can also choose to say your vows to each other during sunset portraits.

San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer Vows

Celebrate with cake and champagne (or your own favorite desserts!) Just because you aren't having a traditional wedding doesn't mean you can't still celebrate with wedding traditions. You can cut cake, pop a bottle of champagne, or my personal favorite, have boba on your wedding day.

Adventure outside of SF City Hall. While the architecture of SF City Hall is undoubtedly stunning, there's just something magical about chasing the views in the city. As a local who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'm happy to recommend my favorite spots!

Wear comfortable shoes. I will always remember the huge grin on a bride's face when she took off her shoes. Getting around SF City Hall requires walking around a bit and going up and down the staircase, so it's always best to wear comfortable shoes that have been broken in or bring a pair of flats.

Dress the way you always dreamed of on your wedding day. Whether that's getting married in a wedding gown or a jumpsuit, choose the details that make you feel absolutely beautiful.

Include your fur babies. While pets are not typically allowed at San Francisco City Hall, a great way to include them is to get ready with them.

Craft your wedding day to be a day that truly reflects your love story. The beauty of getting married at SF City Hall is that there are endless ways to personalize your wedding day. You can still have many aspects of a traditional wedding - getting ready with your closest family and friends, saying your vows to each other, chasing the sunset as newlyweds, and celebrating with an awesome reception as you dance the night away. At the same time, you don't have to be limited by traditions! You can start the day at your favorite coffee shop and brunch restaurant (Ritual Coffee and Brenda's French Soul Food are our go-tos), rent a vintage car and drive along the coast, grab beers at your favorite brewery, or toast to your friends and family over a bonfire. My goal is always to help you create a day that feels like "This is so us."

How far in advance do I need to plan for my San Francisco City Hall wedding?

A huge reason why couples choose to get married at San Francisco City Hall is because it's a beautiful space without all the details, complexities, and stress of planning a traditional wedding. How far ahead in advance you need to plan very much depends on whether you're doing a civil ceremony or 1-hour ceremony, how many guests you're having, popularity of wedding date, and whether you are planning a reception. Here are sample planning timelines to help you get started:

CIVIL CEREMONY

3 months before: Book your civil ceremony and marriage license appointment. Confirm availability with important guests if applicable.
2 months before: Book your vendors - photographer, florist, hair/makeup artist.
1 month before: Confirm timelines and details with your vendors.
2 weeks before: Plan final logistics such as transportation, parking, when and where your guests should arrive, and where to meet your photographer. Complete final payments to vendors.
Day Of: Take it all in and celebrate!

1-HOUR CEREMONY

6 months before: Book your 1-hour ceremony and marriage license appointment. Confirm availability with important guests and send invitations early to allow guests to arrange work schedules and/or plan for vacation time.
5 months before: Book your vendors - photographer, officiant, florist, hair/makeup artist, reception venue.
2 months before: Confirm timelines and details with your vendors.
1 month before: Plan final logistics such as transportation, parking, when and where your guests should arrive, and where to meet your photographer. Complete final payments to SF City Hall Events and vendors.
Day Of: Take it all in and celebrate!

How many hours of photography coverage do I need?

Because SF City Hall can get so busy, it is always better to err on the side of caution as sometimes you may need to wait for spots to clear out to take photos. I recommend planning for 60-90 minutes for couple portraits at SF City Hall, or 45-60 minutes if you will be also be taking couple portraits at a second location. Here are sample timelines to get you started:

4 Hour Timeline

Perfect for: Civil Ceremony + Outdoor Portraits or 1-Hour Ceremony

3:00 - 3:30 Ceremony
3:30 - 4:00 Group Photos
4:00 - 4:45 Couple Portraits
4:45 - 5:15 Travel
5:15 - 6:00 Sunset Portraits

6 Hour Timeline

Perfect for: 1-Hour Ceremony + Reception

3:00 - 3:30 Ceremony
3:30 - 4:00 Family Formals
4:00 - 4:30 Wedding Party
4:30 - 5:15 Couple Portraits
5:15 - 5:45 Travel
5:45 - 6:30 Couple Portraits
6:30 - 7:00 Travel
7:00 - 7:30 Grand Entrance
7:30 - 8:00 Dinner
8:00 - 9:00 Toasts + Dances

8 Hour Timeline

Perfect for: Full Wedding Day

1:00 - 2:00 Getting Ready
2:00 - 2:30 Travel
2:30 - 2:45 First Look
2:45 - 3:00 Guests Arrive
3:00 - 3:30 Ceremony
3:30 - 4:00 Family Formals
4:00 - 4:30 Wedding Party
4:30 - 5:15 Couple Portraits
5:15 - 5:45 Travel
5:45 - 6:30 Couple Portraits
6:30 - 7:00 Travel
7:00 - 7:30 Grand Entrance
7:30 - 8:00 Dinner
8:00 - 9:00 Toasts + Dances

Where can I host my reception after?

There are so many restaurants and venues in San Francisco ranging from rustic outdoor patios to 1900's historic taverns. If you're looking to host an intimate reception, check out The Venue Report for private dining options. Broaden your search to wedding venues if you have a larger guest count and are looking to host a wedding reception to dance the night away. Here are some options to get started:

Stable Cafe: Garden backyard and indoor space for small wedding
The Workshop: Mid-century modern indoor space for small wedding
Flour + Water: Modern farmhouse indoor space for small wedding
Leo's Oyster Bar: Tropical boho indoor space for small to mid-size wedding
Cerf Club: Eclectic industrial indoor space for mid-size wedding
Foreign Cinema: Industrial open air patio and modern indoor space for mid-size to large wedding