How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall in 6 Easy Steps

May 21
13:58

2024

Mike Dubnoff

Mike Dubnoff

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San Francisco City Hall is a stunning and iconic venue for weddings, offering convenience, affordability, and year-round availability. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process to ensure your City Hall wedding is seamless and memorable.

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1. Make Reservations

To get married at San Francisco City Hall,How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall in 6 Easy Steps Articles you need to make two reservations: one for your marriage license and another for your wedding ceremony. It's advisable to obtain your marriage license before the day of the ceremony to avoid unnecessary stress. You can book your ceremony date up to 90 days in advance. The County Clerk's office, located on the 1st floor, is open from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

2. Choose Your Location

San Francisco City Hall offers several beautiful locations for your wedding ceremony:

  • The Rotunda: Located at the top of the grand staircase, this is the most common location for ceremonies. The fee is $73.
  • Private Room: Also available for $73.
  • 4th Floor Balcony: Requires an additional fee and reservation.
  • Mayor's Balcony: Costs $1,000 and includes seating for extra guests.

While judges may take you to these premium locations if time permits, it's safer to reserve them in advance if you have a large number of guests.

3. Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer

Hiring a professional photographer is crucial for capturing the beauty of your City Hall wedding. City Hall's unique lighting and architecture can be challenging for amateur photographers. Look for a photographer with experience in City Hall weddings, ideally someone who has shot at least three weddings at this venue. Websites like Google and Yelp can help you find reputable photographers.

4. Put Together Your Guest List

San Francisco City Hall allows up to 6 guests for a standard wedding. While this rule is not strictly enforced, it's courteous to keep your guest list under 10 to avoid disrupting other ceremonies. If you wish to invite more guests, arrange it with the Clerk's office and pay the additional fee.

5. What to Do on Your Big Day

On your wedding day, remember to bring your IDs and marriage license. You will also need a witness; your photographer can serve as one if needed. Check-in for your ceremony is 10 minutes before the scheduled time, but it's wise to arrive at least 30 minutes early to settle in and explore potential ceremony locations. Ask your judge if you can choose your location, as availability may vary depending on the day's crowd.

6. You're Married! What's Next?

After the ceremony, if you've hired a professional photographer, they will likely take you on a tour of the building to capture photos in some of the best spots. Enjoy this time and the beauty of San Francisco City Hall.

Interesting Stats

  • San Francisco City Hall: Over 1,000 weddings are held here annually, making it one of the most popular wedding venues in the city. Source.
  • Marriage Rates: In 2020, there were approximately 1.68 million marriages in the United States, a significant decrease from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source.
  • Cost Efficiency: A City Hall wedding can cost as little as $73, compared to the national average wedding cost of $28,000 in 2021. Source.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and memorable wedding at San Francisco City Hall. Enjoy your special day in this iconic and beautiful venue!