Deborah Chan
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, with its elegant architecture and stunning views. The Office of the County Clerk performs civil marriage and domestic partnership ceremonies from Monday to Friday, with Fridays being the busiest day. While the office is closed on weekends and public holidays, it occasionally hosts special events, such as during SF Pride Weekend, where over 200 marriage ceremonies are held in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. SF City Hall offers one-hour weekday wedding packages for those seeking a simple ceremony and has various rooms available, including the Mayor's Balcony and the Rotunda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding locations | Mayor's Balcony, Fourth Floor Gallery, private ceremony room, or the Rotunda at City Hall |
| Number of guests | Up to 6 guests for civil ceremonies; up to 100 guests for one-hour weddings |
| Availability | Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and special events; no weekend availability |
| Timing | First slot at 9 am and the last slot at 3:30 pm; one-hour weddings between 9 am and 3 pm |
| Busiest days | Fridays, Thursdays, and Mondays |
| Quietest days | Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Quietest time of year | Winter and early spring |
| LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations | Over 200 marriage ceremonies hosted during SF Pride Weekend on Friday, June 27, 2025 |
| Booking | Reservations open 90 days in advance; recommended to book sought-after dates as early as possible |
| Fees | $1,200 for one-hour wedding package; 2% service fee for credit and debit card transactions |
| Requirements | Must be over 18, unmarried, and have valid identification and a marriage license |
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What You'll Learn
SF City Hall weddings are held Monday to Friday
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, known for its stately elegance and exquisite architectural design. The iconic building offers a range of ceremony options, from one-hour weddings on the Mayor's Balcony to evening weddings under the ornate dome of the Rotunda. However, despite its availability for events, SF City Hall weddings are held Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and special events.
The Office of the County Clerk, located in Room 160 of City Hall, is responsible for processing marriage licenses and ceremonies. Their operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, and they are closed on public holidays. This means that weddings at City Hall typically take place during the workweek, with no ceremonies conducted over the weekend.
The earliest and latest timeslots are the most desirable and the first to be booked. Fridays are usually the busiest, with Thursday and Monday also being relatively busy days. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days for weddings at SF City Hall.
For those seeking a more intimate setting, the one-hour wedding package offers private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth Floor Gallery. This package is only available from Monday through Friday, with the earliest ceremony starting at 9 am and the latest at 3 pm. It accommodates smaller ceremonies and budgets, allowing up to 100 guests, with additional equipment rentals available for seating.
SF City Hall weddings require advance planning, and last-minute requests are typically not accommodated. Couples are advised to book their desired date and timeslot as early as possible, especially for sought-after dates and times.
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Fridays are the busiest day for weddings
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, with its stately elegance and exquisite architectural design. The iconic building offers a range of ceremony options, from one-hour weddings on the Mayor's Balcony to evening weddings under the ornate dome of the Rotunda.
While City Hall is open for weddings from Monday to Friday, Fridays are by far the busiest day for ceremonies. This is partly due to couples wanting to tie their wedding in with the weekend. Thursday is also a busy day, as the weekend rush starts to pick up.
To secure a desired date and timeslot, it is recommended to book in advance, especially for popular dates and times. The earliest and latest slots of the day are usually the first to book out as they are the most desirable.
Fridays at City Hall can be especially busy during SF Pride Weekend, when the Office of the County Clerk hosts over 200 marriage ceremonies in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. These appointments are expected to fill up quickly, and participants must have a San Francisco-issued marriage license.
For those looking for a quieter day to wed, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days at SF City Hall. Winter and early spring are also the quietest times of the year to get married at this sought-after venue.
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Weekends are also popular
While San Francisco City Hall only hosts weddings from Monday to Friday, weekends are also popular for weddings in the city. Fridays are the busiest day of the week for weddings at SF City Hall, and Thursdays see the start of the weekend rush. Mondays are also a little busy as couples like to tie their weddings in with the weekend.
SF City Hall is a popular wedding venue due to its stately elegance and exquisite architectural design. Couples can choose from a one-hour wedding on the Mayor's Balcony with views of the Grand Staircase or an evening wedding with dinner and dancing under the ornate dome of the Rotunda. The Mayor's Balcony can accommodate up to 40 seated guests and 60 standing, while the Fourth Floor Galleries can seat up to 60 with the rest standing.
For those looking for a weekend wedding, there are other venues in San Francisco to consider. The city offers a range of unique and memorable locations, such as historic landmarks, gardens, and waterfront settings. Couples can also opt for a more intimate celebration at a restaurant or hotel, many of which offer wedding packages and stunning views of the city.
Additionally, weekends in San Francisco offer a variety of entertainment options for wedding guests. They can explore the city's famous attractions, such as Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman's Wharf. They can also enjoy the city's diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from fine dining to food trucks. Weekend weddings can also take advantage of the lively nightlife, with bars, clubs, and live music venues providing entertainment for guests looking to celebrate into the late hours.
So while SF City Hall itself does not host weddings on the weekend, the city of San Francisco offers plenty of alternatives for couples looking to tie the knot on a Saturday or Sunday, along with a vibrant backdrop for a memorable wedding celebration.
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The Civic Centre Garage is closed on Pride Weekend
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, with its elegant architecture and stunning views. The Office of the County Clerk at City Hall offers civil marriage ceremonies and domestic partnership ceremonies. These ceremonies are usually held from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and special events.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Friday of SF Pride Weekend, the Office of the County Clerk will host over 200 marriage ceremonies in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. This is a special event, and the Civic Centre Garage will be closed for this Pride Weekend. The garage closes every night at 10 pm, so those attending the Pride Weekend celebrations should be aware that they will need to make alternative parking arrangements.
The County Clerk's office usually opens appointments for marriage ceremonies at 9 am on specific dates, with roughly 100 appointments becoming available on each date. These appointments are expected to fill up quickly, and participants must have a San Francisco-issued marriage license to take part.
For those seeking a more intimate setting, City Hall offers one-hour wedding packages on weekdays, accommodating smaller ceremonies and modest budgets. These packages include private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth-Floor Gallery, with the earliest ceremony starting at 9 am and the latest at 3 pm.
While San Francisco City Hall is a sought-after wedding venue, those planning their nuptials should be mindful of the Civic Centre Garage closure during Pride Weekend and make alternative arrangements for parking during this time.
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Ceremonies are held in the Rotunda or the Mayor's Balcony
Ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall are usually held in the Rotunda, a small area located at the top of the Grand Staircase. The officiant, or Deputy Marriage Commissioner, decides where the ceremony will be conducted. The couple cannot choose the location of their civil ceremony.
The Rotunda is a popular spot for wedding photographs, with couples sometimes having to wait for their turn to get their photos taken there. The Grand Staircase is also a popular spot for wedding photos.
For those seeking more privacy, customisation options, and a higher guest limit, a private ceremony can be held on the Mayor's Balcony. This option allows couples to recite their own vows, have acoustic musicians, a display table, and floral decor. The Mayor's Balcony can accommodate up to 40 seated guests, with the remaining guests standing.
The one-hour wedding package offered by the city hall includes private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth Floor Gallery, from Monday through Friday, with the earliest ceremony beginning at 9:00 am and the latest beginning at 3:00 pm. The rental cost for the package is $1,200 for up to 100 guests.
It is important to note that food and drink services are not permitted as part of the one-hour wedding package on the Mayor's Balcony.
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Frequently asked questions
No, SF City Hall does not host weddings on the weekend. Weddings are held from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and any special events where the building is closed to the public.
SF City Hall offers a one-hour wedding package during weekdays only. The package includes private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth-Floor Gallery for up to one hour from Monday through Friday, with the earliest ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the latest beginning at 3:00 p.m.
The rental cost for the one-hour wedding package is $1,200, which includes an hour of access for up to 100 guests. Chairs are an additional equipment rental, with the Mayor's Balcony seating up to 40 and the Fourth-Floor Galleries up to 60 (remaining guests stand for the ceremony).
To book a wedding at SF City Hall, you must first determine a few potential dates and then submit a reservation request to place a complimentary 30-day hold. Note that SF City Hall requires at least four weeks of lead time to reserve your date and cannot accommodate last-minute requests. You can also book your civil ceremony appointments directly through the Office of the County Clerk's website.
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