How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall
When you think of courthouses, do you imagine something as gorgeous as this? San Francisco City Hall is one of the prettiest places for a courthouse wedding. This stunning and historic building offers so many beautiful spaces for wedding and elopement photography. From the iconic grand marble staircase to the ornate ceilings, elegant windows, and so many decorative details—it’s really a spectacular spot for couples to tie the knot.
And that’s just the interior! Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Civic Center district, it’s just a hop and skip away from some of the Bay Area’s most iconic landmarks. Yes, it’s no secret why couples from all over the country choose to get married at San Francisco City Hall.
The Practical Benefits of a San Francisco City Hall Wedding
Courthouse weddings and elopements have a lot of benefits you might not think about. For instance, weddings aren’t just romantic ceremonies to celebrate a future together, it’s also a legal ceremony. Choosing to get married at City Hall is great because you can knock out the marriage license or certificate all at once.
Pro tip: Get your marriage license the day before. While the process is easy, it can be slow too. On a slow day, couples could be there for an hour.
Some couples choose to get married by the city hall officiant, while others prefer to hire their own officiant or get married by a friend or family member who got their ordination online. If you need an officiant for your elopement, my spouse is ordained to officiate ceremonies in California and beyond. Can you say dream team?!
Weddings tend to take place on the fourth floor, which gives the couple and their wedding guests some privacy to have a ceremony, read vows, and take some photos.
Pro tip: You’ll want to avoid booking the rotunda. It’s a cheaper option, but it’s directly next to a set of elevators the general public uses, so it can be loud.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall
SF City Hall also offers a range of affordable wedding packages. These packages can include one-hour ($1,000) to two-hour ($5,000) bookings for the ceremony, while other packages include bookings for a reception. You may also need to factor in the number of guests, as well as the date and time they are getting married. As you might expect, weekends are a little more competitive than weekdays, and the pricing is reflective of that. Weekday weddings are less competitive, less crowded, and more affordable—perfect for a more intimate setting.
Pro tip: You’ll want to book sooner rather than later. SF City Hall requires at least 4 weeks' lead time to reserve your date and is unable to accommodate last-minute requests.
There are, of course, add-ons for catering, musicians, and other vendors—which we get into a little bit more at the end of this blog.
When to Get Married or Elope in San Francisco
The funny thing about San Francisco is that it's a microclimate with its own eccentricities. This means it can be hot and humid on one street corner, and cold, windy, and damp across town. Pretty wild stuff for a 7x7-mile city!
In any case, here’s a quick look at each of the four seasons so you can better time your SF wedding or elopement:
Winter: Typically cold and sometimes rainy, this is still a really pretty season in the Bay Area. There are fewer people out and about—and early sunset makes for great wedding photos at dusk or night.
Spring: Delightful weather that’s a little bit warm and a little bit cool. Expect some brief spring showers, which brings rare greenery to the hills and coasts. Overall, a wonderful time to say “I do.”
Summer: San Francisco summer isn’t like summer anywhere else. Most of the time, it’s chilly and cold in the city itself. Weird, right? On the plus side, the fog can spill into the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a magical vibe if you get to see it.
Fall: Autumn weather is a little bit erratic. It can be foggy or very warm (warmer than summer, believe it or not!).
Pro tip: Wear layers and you’ll be A-OK for any weather pattern, including inside the building, which can be hot when it’s sunny.
SF is also a popular tourist destination, so there’ll likely be crowds year-round. There’s no avoiding it, so it’s better to embrace the hustle and bustle as part of the experience. And honestly, the lively culture is one of the appeals of the Bay Area. There’s always something going on somewhere, so soak up the city vibes while you can.
Where to Stay for Your San Francisco Wedding or Elopement
If you’re getting married at San Francisco City Hall, you might be wondering about lodging. The cool thing about San Francisco is that every neighborhood has its own vibe and personality. I suggest searching for hotels and Airbnbs in these neighborhoods.
The Mission: With so many good eats, cool wall art, and great parks, the Mission District is a great place to visit. Want a really ritzy place to spend your wedding night? The Inn San Francisco is super nice. Or you can relax at Noe's Nest Bed & Breakfast, if that’s more your vibe.
Union Square: Union Square embodies a lot of SF culture in one area. Lots of shops, luxury hotels, and hustle and bustle—plus it’s a short distance from popular neighborhoods like Chinatown, Nob Hill, and the Financial District. If you’re looking for a really classy spot, the Mansion on Sutter or Hotel Bijou are sure to impress.
The Marina: Take in the bay, enjoy some choice eats, and live it up in the Marina. Check out the modern Infinity Hotel or the Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel, if that’s more your style.
Presidio: This green area of SF is full of history and activities. A few lodging options include The Inn at the Presidio or Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights. If you’re an outdoorsy couple, you should check out Rob Hill Campground.
Haight and Ashbury: Yes, it’s the hippie haunt of Haight and Ashbury. If you’re seeking a hotel with lots of character, you might enjoy The Grove Inn, Casa Loma Hotel, or Stanyan Park Hotel.
These are just a few suggestions, of course. I highly recommend doing a little homework to see what options best fit your needs or the needs of your guests.
Considering staying outside of the city? I have a more thorough San Francisco Bay Area elopement guide that covers the wider area.
Getting Around the City
Flying into the Bay Area is pretty simple. Your options are:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in Millbrae. This is just south of the city. From there you can take the public Caltrain North, drive up the 101 into town, or hail a rideshare to do the same. SFO was my local airport for a time, so I can confirm this is one of the cleanest ones I’ve been to.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located in the East Bay. You can take the public BART into SF, hop on the 880 to the 80, or take a rideshare on the same route.
Once you’re in San Francisco, you have a few options. While you might be tempted to rent a car, you should realize that SF has a lot of traffic and very little parking.
Luckily, the city is only 49 square miles—meaning it’s pretty walkable. Yes, there are some hills to walk up, but it’s a cool way to see the city and find some hidden gems.
There are also lots of buses, trains, and subways to get you around town. Or you can take advantage of taxis and ridesharing apps to get you from point-A to point-B quickly.
Whichever option you pick, remember to leave a little extra time in your schedule for travel. SF traffic is unpredictable!
Pro tip: If you’re not an experienced driver, driving in San Francisco can be stressful. From the crowds to the rather intense hills, to the random bus lanes, driving here feels like a Grand Theft Auto experience.
Where to Visit on Your San Francisco Wedding Day
Yes, San Francisco City Hall is stunning. But if you want to get the most out of your San Francisco elopement or wedding, it helps to explore more of the area. While there’s no shortage of amazing areas to check out, here are a handful of highlights.
Golden Gate Bridge: The spectacular, the iconic, the glorious Golden Gate Bridge. As a photographer, I know all the best angles on this SF landmark for you and your newlywed spouse.
Twin Peaks: High atop this landmark, couples enjoy a miles-long view in every direction—which is equally spectacular on clear days and foggy ones.
Palace of Fine Arts: An awe-inspiring landmark, complete with a reflecting pool and a Greco-Roman rotunda.
Muir Woods National Monument: Lose yourselves amongst towering redwood trees and tranquil streams on this magical Bay Area hike.
The Presidio: Full of historic charm, views of the GGB from below, and lots of park space, this is an ideal location for wedding and elopement photos.
Lands End: Take in sweeping views of where the Pacific Ocean meets the San Francisco Bay in this breathtaking location.
Golden Gate Park: More than 1000 acres of green grass, lovely trees, and all sorts of hidden gems, this is a local hotspot for a reason.
San Francisco Botanical Gardens: Located within GGP, this is a plant-lovers paradise. See more than 9,000 botanicals and soak in the moment with your special someone.
Dolores Park: A delightful spot for just chilling on the weekends, Dolores Park is located in the Mission District and is a great place to tan, have a picnic, or kickback with your wedding guests.
San Francisco is a delightfully weird city with something to offer anyone and everyone. If you have a specific vision or request, just ask your wedding photographer for some hints. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 7 years and regularly visit for fun and photoshoots. So if you’ve got something in mind, chances are I’ve got something to match.
Good Advice for San Francisco Elopements and Weddings
Want to make sure your San Francisco City Hall wedding day runs as smoothly as possible? Of course, you do! So here’s a wrap-up of a few tips to make sure of it.
Book your SF City Hall wedding early. It takes a minimum of 4 weeks to reserve your spot—and even then, dates can be competitive. So book early!
Plan for traffic. Nobody likes traffic delays or parking headaches. Factor in an extra 15-30 minutes in your travel schedule between any two points to keep things moving. Take advantage of rideshares and carpools, if you can.
Wear good walking shoes and layers. Keep comfortable while walking the city and navigating changing temperatures.
Hire a photographer intimately familiar with the area. Your wedding or elopement photographer should know the hot spots, hidden gems, and all the important details. This will make for a smooth wedding day that emphasizes romance and fun!
Embrace the hustle and bustle. SF is a small city with a big population. Just go with the flow.
Remember that it’s your wedding day, which means it should reflect your values. So whether you want fun and carefree, romantic and classy, adventurous and active—your photographer should help you make the most of it. Be sure to communicate your needs and desires ahead of time.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Vendors
If you’re getting married in San Francisco, you might be wondering about local vendors for your flowers, catering, makeup, and all the rest. Luckily, there are a handful of people the Love & Latitudes enjoys working with. Here are a few examples:
Ida Blooms | Sassy Diva Designs | Lavender Crown Events | Stratford + Pearl | Zulys Goodies | Dream Catcher Artistry | Bay Area Beautiful
San Francisco Stories
Need a little inspiration for your SF wedding day? Here are a few images and blogs that might help you visualize your big day.
Book Your San Francisco Wedding Photographer
Psyched for your San Francisco City Hall wedding day? Book your wedding and elopement photographer with Love & Latitudes today to start planning your big day!
San Francisco City Hall Packages
+ 2-8+ hours of coverage*
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images oe purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Optional officiant services.
*Limited 2-hour courthouse wedding packages are available depending on travel and availability. Reach out for more information.
Meet Your SF City Hall Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 15 years and counting. In my free time you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. The Bay Area was our home for seven years prior!
How did i get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way.
