Thinking about a San Francisco City Hall wedding or elopement?
San Francisco City Hall is a favorite spot of mine to photograph weddings and elopements. Not only is it a gorgeous building, but it’s also an affirming and welcome place for queer couples.
Did you know? It’s actually a building that is an important landmark in LGBTQ+ history, as same-sex marriage licenses were granted here several years before it was legalized at the federal level.
Keep reading to learn more about what planning your wedding (or elopement) at San Francisco City Hall could look like.
What You Need to Know About Planning a San Francisco City Hall Wedding
Here’s the info you need to know about planning your celebration at San Francisco City Hall:
Get your California marriage license
This should be first on your wedding planning checklist! You and your partner will need to head to the County Clerk’s office to get your marriage license. Something to note: in California, there are two types of marriage licenses: public and confidential.
Remember, an appointment is required to get your marriage license. To make an appointment with the County Clerk’s office in San Francisco, go here!
Choose what type of ceremony you want to have
At San Francisco City Hall, you can have either a civil ceremony or a private wedding. A civil ceremony allows you to have a total of 6 guests, including your witnesses and any photographer or videographer you book.
Most of the civil ceremonies take place in the building at the top of the grand staircase under the Rotunda. You can request use of the 4th floor for your civil ceremony – but it isn’t a guarantee.
If you are planning a civil ceremony and want to avoid crowds, I’ve found the best days of the week are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. The cost for a civil ceremony is $111, but this could change.
For the most up-to-date info on fees, go here, and to book your civil ceremony, go here.
The other option you have is a private wedding. For a private wedding, you’ll be renting a section of City Hall for just you, your partner, and any guests you invite. There are a few options available, including a one- or two-hour rental, and they also offer an evening wedding option.
For a full breakdown of each option and to reserve your date, you can go here! There are also different location options based on the rental you choose, so keep that in mind as you plan your day. For example, available locations for 1-hour ceremonies include the Fourth Floor Gallery or the Mayor’s Balcony.
Hire an officiant for your private ceremony
If you’re planning on having a private ceremony, you will need to choose your officiant. An officiant is only provided for civil ceremonies.
Arrive early on the day of your ceremony
On the day of your wedding, you’ll need to find parking and go through security. To avoid worrying about being rushed or frazzled, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early.
Tips for Queer Couples Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall
Wear whatever the heck you want
When it comes to choosing what to wear for your San Francisco City Hall wedding, choose an outfit that truly feels authentic to you and makes you feel incredible – regardless of whether it’s “traditional” or not. Remember, this is your day, and you get to choose how it looks – that includes how you dress.
I want you to love your wedding outfit! It’s an important part of your day and a representation of who you are. I’m here to affirm to all of my couples that you don’t have to wear traditional wedding attire if you don’t want to.
Instead, you can wear whatever feels most meaningful to you. Looking for nontraditional, unique wedding outfits? Check out the blog I wrote full of ideas for you here!
Incorporate personal details (embroidered hanky, 3D printed worms, anything you can think of)
I think it’s truly special when you include meaningful, personal details in your day. I’ve photographed couples who have included crystals, tarot cards, photos of family members who have passed, and more as part of their day, to give you an idea of the many different details you could include!
You can incorporate anything that you want – your personal details are what make your day uniquely yours. They also set the tone for your day and show off your personalities!
Take family photos on the fourth floor for the best lighting
The fourth floor is hands-down the best spot for stunning photos – you definitely don’t want to miss out on the chance to take pictures here. Not only will you get stunning natural light coming in from the windows, but the architecture and detail put into the ceilings are incredible!
Take a photo with the bust of Harvey Milk
Stop and pose next to the bust of Harvey Milk to add queer flair to your final wedding gallery! Harvey Milk was the first openly gay official elected to office in California back in 1977, so what better way to celebrate your queer wedding than to include him? The bust can be found in the Rotunda at the top of the grand staircase.
Once you’ve posed with Harvey, you should definitely explore the areas around and outside the building, as they make great backdrops for your photos!
Don’t give up the opportunity to share personal vows with your partner
You don’t have to give up on sharing personal vows with your partner just because they’re not included in your civil ceremony.
Here’s what you can do instead:
- Read your vows privately to each other after your ceremony for a beautiful, intimate moment
- Read your vows in front of your guests after your ceremony to include your loved ones in the moment
- Exchange letters after your ceremony and read them silently side by side
Don’t forget the reception!
If you want to have a reception after your ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, you can rent out a private dining room at a restaurant or even throw a BBQ at a local park! Your day doesn’t have to be over as soon as your ceremony is finished.
This also gives you the chance to have a small, intimate wedding or elopement and then have a bigger party with more of your friends and loved ones. You can have the best of both worlds!
Hire a queer photographer (like me!)
The photographer you choose for your wedding/elopement should make you feel safe, supported, and celebrated.
One of the easiest ways to choose an affirming photographer is to work with someone who is already part of your community, especially for LGBTQ+ couples who may be worried about safety or about having to educate their photographer.
You’ll be working with someone who wants you to feel comfortable, fully express yourself, and who will remove any external pressure or expectations of what your relationship and wedding “should” look like because they’ve been through it, too. They’ll see you the way you see yourself!
Ready to Plan an Unforgettable San Francisco City Hall Wedding?
I hope you found all this info on getting married (or eloping) at San Francisco City Hall helpful!
And…if you’re in the Bay Area, looking for a wedding photographer who specializes in photos of love, weddings, surprise proposals, and engagements, feel free to reach out here or learn more about my services here.
I’ll fully support your nontraditional ideas and celebrate you wholeheartedly! I can’t wait to learn more about your vision and all the ideas you have in mind.
Read these next:
Nontraditional, Unique Wedding Outfits for LGBTQ+ Couples
Planning the Perfect LGBTQ Proposal Featuring an Elaborate Queer San Francisco Proposal
