Rhiannon Hendricks
San Francisco City Hall is open for weddings Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm, with the first ceremonies starting at 9 am. The venue offers a one-hour wedding package for those on a modest budget, which includes private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth Floor Gallery for up to 100 guests. Appointments for weddings are available from 9 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays, and it is advised to book popular dates in advance. Couples can also opt for a town car, limo, vintage car rental, bus, or trolley for their wedding day transportation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days of the week | Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the quietest days. Fridays are the busiest. Thursdays and Mondays are also busy. |
| Time of day | 8 am is when the building is most empty. It starts to empty out again after 3:30 pm. |
| Booking | Book at midnight PST exactly 90 days before your desired date and time slot. |
| Number of guests | Up to 6 guests are allowed. |
| Marriage license | You must have a San Francisco-issued marriage license. |
| Location | You cannot choose the location of your ceremony. You will be assigned a room based on what is available. |
| Parking | The Civic Center Garage is closed every Pride Weekend. It closes every night at 10 pm. |
| Photography | Entry is free for anyone taking photographs. Permits are not required for wedding photography or videography. |
| Ceremony times | One-hour wedding ceremonies are held during the weekday only. |
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What You'll Learn
SF City Hall wedding photography
Planning a wedding at San Francisco City Hall? Congratulations! The iconic building is a gorgeous venue for your special day.
SF City Hall is open for weddings from 8 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. The best time for photos is early in the morning when the building opens, as it tends to be quieter then. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the quietest days, while Fridays are the busiest. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider a morning slot, or opt for one of the last ceremony slots of the day, which start at 3:30 pm.
SF City Hall offers a range of ceremony options, from the standard shorter rotunda ceremony to a one-hour wedding package or a longer evening reservation. The one-hour package includes private use of the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth-Floor Gallery and costs $1,000, with additional equipment rentals for chairs. The shorter ceremony option costs $90 and includes up to six guests, with the marriage license costing an additional $110.
When it comes to photography, you don't need a permit to take photos or videos at SF City Hall. It's recommended to hire a photographer who knows the venue well and can guide you to less busy spots and help you avoid waiting times. Photographers like Zoe Larkin and Sarah Eichstedt specialize in SF City Hall weddings and can help make your day fun and stress-free. Packages for wedding photography start at $500.
Before booking your photographer, be sure to review their portfolio and read recent reviews to ensure their style aligns with your vision. You can also ask your photographer to recommend ceremony locations within the venue to ensure the best lighting and backdrops for your photos.
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SF City Hall wedding transport
San Francisco City Hall is open for weddings Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. The building is usually relatively empty when the doors open at 8 am, and it starts to fill up as the day goes on. If you want to avoid the crowds, the last ceremony slots of the day, after 3:30 pm, are worth considering. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days of the week, while Fridays are the busiest.
Now, let's talk about transportation for your SF City Hall wedding. The location of San Francisco City Hall in the heart of the city means that there is potential for delays due to traffic or finding parking. Here are some transport options to consider:
Private Cars
If you have the budget, you could opt for a town car, limo, or vintage car rental. This option provides a comfortable and private journey for the wedding couple and can also be a great backdrop for photographs, with a glass of champagne in hand.
San Francisco-Style Trolley
For a unique and memorable entrance, you can hire a San Francisco-style trolley. This option is perfect for larger wedding parties, as it can accommodate 20+ guests. It adds a charming and authentic touch to your special day and is sure to be a talking point for your guests.
Becak (Indonesian Rickshaw)
For a truly novel and exhilarating experience, consider hiring a becak, an Indonesian rickshaw. This option offers a unique way to see the city and makes for fantastic wedding pictures. It seats two people, so it's perfect for the wedding couple, and Kai of KaiTours can provide customized planning assistance to ensure a smooth ride.
Streetcars
If you're looking for something a little different, you could consider using the city's streetcars. While they can be unpredictable in their scheduling, they offer an authentic experience. You can ride from Civic Center, close to City Hall, and even get some pictures with Muni in the background.
Bus
If you're expecting a large number of guests and want to provide a convenient group transportation option, consider hiring a bus. This option ensures that your guests arrive together and on time, and it can also be a more cost-effective choice.
When planning your SF City Hall wedding transportation, it's important to keep in mind that the hustle and bustle of the city can cause delays. Be sure to build in some buffer time to your schedule, and if you're hiring unique transportation, like a becak or trolley, ensure you understand any restrictions, such as maximum distances or hills that may be challenging.
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SF City Hall wedding guest limits
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, with its iconic architecture and grand staircase. It offers a range of options for couples looking to tie the knot, from small civil ceremonies to larger celebrations.
For those looking for an intimate affair, SF City Hall allows for up to 6 guests to be present at a civil marriage or domestic partnership ceremony. This guest limit includes any photographers, videographers, children, and witnesses. The County Clerk's staff cannot serve as witnesses, so couples must provide their own.
The small civil ceremonies are held in either a private ceremony room or the rotunda, depending on availability. These ceremonies can be booked from 9 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays. It is recommended to book these appointments at midnight, 90 days before the desired date, as popular dates and timeslots sell out quickly.
For couples looking to accommodate more guests, SF City Hall offers a one-hour wedding package that allows for up to 100 guests. This package includes private use of either the Mayor's Balcony (up to 40 seated guests) or a Fourth Floor Gallery (up to 60 seated guests) from Monday through Friday. The rental cost for this package is $1,000, and chairs are an additional equipment rental.
SF City Hall also hosts special events, such as on the Friday of SF Pride Weekend, where over 200 marriage ceremonies are held in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. These appointments are expected to fill up quickly, and participants must have a San Francisco-issued marriage license.
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SF City Hall wedding appointments
San Francisco City Hall is a popular venue for weddings, with its iconic architecture and grand staircase. It is a public building, so anyone can enter and take photographs.
Booking Appointments
To book your wedding ceremony at SF City Hall, you must make an appointment. Appointments are available from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays only. It is recommended to book popular dates in advance, as they sell out quickly. The best time to log in and book is at midnight PST exactly 90 days before your desired date.
Marriage License
Before your wedding, you must obtain a California marriage license within 90 days of your ceremony. You can obtain the license at any County Clerk's office in California, and it is valid for up to three months. On the day of your ceremony, bring your original government-issued marriage license and valid photo identification for each person.
Guest Information
SF City Hall restricts your guest list to no more than six people, including photographers, videographers, children, and witnesses. For a Public Marriage Ceremony, you must have one witness present. For a Confidential Marriage Ceremony, no witnesses are required.
Parking and Transportation
If you are driving to SF City Hall, note that the Civic Center Garage closes at 10 pm every night. If you want to make a grand entrance, you could consider alternative transportation such as a town car, limo, vintage car rental, bus, or even a San Francisco-style trolley.
Photography
SF City Hall is a popular spot for wedding photography, so expect crowds and potential waits for key photo spots like the Grand Staircase. Professional photographers can guide you to less busy areas and time your session accordingly.
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SF City Hall marriage licenses
San Francisco City Hall is a popular spot for weddings, with its iconic architecture and grand staircase. For those looking to get married at SF City Hall, there are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to marriage licenses.
Firstly, appointments are necessary for obtaining a marriage license in all Bay Area counties, including San Francisco. Both partners must be present at the license appointment and must bring valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a passport, driver's license, resident alien card, or military ID. If either partner has been married or in a domestic partnership before, they must provide the exact date the previous marriage or partnership ended. If the previous marriage ended less than 90 days before the appointment, a certified copy of the divorce, annulment, termination, or death record must be provided, complete with an original court seal and the signature of the court clerk.
Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and there is a fee for the license, although this fee can be waived if paid using a checking account. It is recommended to book appointments as early as possible, as popular dates and timeslots can sell out quickly. The best times for a quieter ceremony at SF City Hall are early in the morning, around 8 am, or after 3:30 pm for the final ceremonies of the day. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days, while Fridays are the busiest.
SF City Hall also offers a one-hour wedding package during weekdays to accommodate simple ceremonies and modest budgets. This package includes private use of either the Mayor's Balcony or a Fourth Floor Gallery for up to 100 guests, with additional chair rentals available. The cost for this package is $1,000, and it requires at least four weeks' notice to reserve a date.
With these points in mind, couples looking to get married at SF City Hall can ensure they have the necessary marriage license and plan their ceremony accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for a marriage license up to 90 days before your ceremony. You can obtain your marriage license at any County Clerk's office in California.
Appointments are available from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays only. You can book your civil ceremony online. It is advised that for popular dates, you are ready to make the reservation at midnight on the 90th day before your desired date.
You are allowed up to 6 guests, including photographers, videographers, children, and witnesses.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days of the week. Fridays are the busiest, and the weekend rush starts to pick up on Thursdays. The building is relatively empty when the doors open at 8 am, and it starts to empty out again after 3:30 pm.
