Here are a few other tips that come to mind: Its recommended to avoid Fridays if possible as they are busy and can be very loud. Zoes kindness and demeanor made us so comfortable allowing her to dictate our every pose, not to mention her AMAZING knowledge of the City Hall spaces, lighting, crowd movement, and architecture. Alternatively you can choose a location thats more of a hike such as Corona Heights or Bernal Heights. Make a shortlist of photographers and other vendors. San Francisco is SO BEAUTIFUL and a great place to get married in San Francisco. Fridays tend to be the busiest days at San Francisco City Hall. Weddings of ANY size are chock full of emotion and little moments you dont want to rush. At Pier 39 you can spot sea lions, the Barbary Coast will give you a glimpse of towns history, while the iconic bridge that connects San Francisco to Californias northern countries provides jaw-dropping photo opportunities. In short, its an elevated experience. Since you can only book 90 days ahead of time, and the calendar can get competitive, keep your options open when it comes time to book. Where would be a good place to go afterwards for lunch and drinks? Hop on a cable car, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, visit one of the citys famed parks or beaches and dont forget to take some awesome photos along the way! It can run late there is already enough happening on the wedding day without also having to deal with another appointment. There are all kinds of events taking place here press conferences, city meetings, gala events being set up, protests and of course, dozens of brides and grooms are in the building taking photos at any given time. Yelp | Google. I have a separate article here about how to compile your timeline for your day (or your photographer should help you do this as they are the experts in this). This SF City Hall Guide might be helpful to you as you're planning! Andrea and the amazing team will take good care of you. I would advise you call and check with them. The only fashion style to avoid is anything too casual. Waterbar Restaurant is located at 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105. With an average wedding cost of $39,300, San Francisco is about $6,000 more expensive than the national average. I would avoid bringing too much stuff in general. Based in Oakland, California. However, you can also stay in a fashionable but quirky hotel such as the Proper Hotel or book a flat via Airbnb. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Prior to our meeting, I was sure to read & watch the guides Zoe expertly produced on what to expect from an engagement shoot, what to wear, and how to pose, which she quickly recapped before we got started. Since 2008, EPIC Steak has specialized in casual elegance with bayside views and delicious cuisine, thoughtfully prepared. Whats the best time to get married at San Francisco City Hall? Foreign Cinema has earned a place on this list because of its incredible, versatile private dining. Just try to picture majestic rolling hills and gourmet restaurants overlooking the sprawling vineyards! Theres an outdoor patio and an EPIC view of the Bay Bridge: Time your celebration right to get sunset over the bay and see the magical twinkling lights on the bridge light up for their evening show. Its completely up to you. Its here: https://zoelarkin.com/sf-city-hall-pandemic-wedding-updates/. One of the biggest decisions youll have to make is which photographer to choose. Private dining? Book your appointment with City Hall for your ceremony. The Stable Caf is located at 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110. Kick your shoes off, pop open a bottle of champagne, and toast to your happiness while sitting on a blanket surrounded by daisies. F Line transport accommodation from SF City Hall. Your two-day itinerary can also include a short trip out of town. Appointments are $86 and cannot be refunded or rescheduled once made. So, if you love my photography style, get in touch to check my availability. There are different areas available for rental such as the Blue Room, the Rail Car, and Mariannes bar. Usually, youll need to sign a contract and put down a deposit of $750 by money order or cashiers check. After the ceremony and your wedding photoshoot, you will want to celebrate over a delicious meal. When choosing an outfit, be aware that San Francisco City Hall is very overheated year-round. The key advantage of planning a small City Hall wedding ceremony is having a plethora of options for lunch, dinner or cocktails. After the ceremony you will want to mill around hugging which is totally understandable. This type of wedding is called a civil ceremony, also known as a public ceremony. Pin this graphic below to your San Francisco City Hall Pinterest board! Many of San Francisco's best museums offer late-night entry at least once a week. Get there early and wander around you wont regret it. I know itll be too late for you, for which I apologize but hoping this may help others who have the same question. Instead of the traditional gendered pronouncement, judges will say I now pronounce you spouses for life. We love this! Features a modern aesthetic through a historic brick and timber warehouse originally built in 1917 as a meatpacking and smokehouse facility. See also: How to get married at SF City Hall , The Rotunda , Mayors Balcony , 4th floor , 3rd floor , Front Door , County Clerk , Grand Staircase , Things to do after , Where to stay before the wedding , Candid photos , Natural . Less than 2 miles from City Hall in the Soma / Mission Bay neighborhood. This differs based on whether youre having a private, 1-hour ceremony or a simple civil ceremony. Not once have we ever met a couple who was disappointed with their choice. The building is only relatively empty when the doors open at 8am. I would be honored to be your SF City Hall wedding photographer. Wedding photographers book up to 18 months out so the sooner the better after youre confirmed with City Hall. There are a million great ways to celebrate your marriage and here are a few Ive seen done and done well, with anywhere from only a handful of guests all the way up to fifty guests or so. In the past 5 years its gained so much popularity and I see it getting more and more crowded each time Im there! You said 6 guests, but that is in addition to the bride and groom, is that correct? These weddings are, as the name states, an hour long. Civil marriage ceremony: what to expect. Follow along the blog and Insta! Theres also plenty that happens that might be off-script, that we cant predict or control for. Since 1985, this Chinatown staple has offered a market-driven menu with intense, authentic flavors and excellent Chinese cuisine, beautifully prepared, Sit at round tables, which are a traditional part of Chinese culture and allow for family-style sharing. Andrea and the amazing team will take good care of you. You can find more info on their website. The bridges can be extremely congested in the mornings and indeed throughout the day. Your email address will not be published. Everyone is excited to be there and celebrate this moment with you. How to plan a San Francisco City Hall wedding. If hectic energy is likely to be draining to you, I recommend adding on a location. We recommend private dining areas at Absinthe and Proper Hotel which are within walking distance from City Hall or E & O Kitchen and Bar and Lazy Bear that are approximately 1.5 miles away. For this reason, I highly recommend logging on to the County Clerks website at midnight 90 days out so you can snag your desired date and timeslot. While this might sounds like a good idea on paper, its likely to lead to disappointment and/ or stress. Civil Ceremony Reservations. If you are from out of town, schedule your marriage license appointment the day before the ceremony. My fianc and I booked getting our marriage license at the end of august at 1:30pm but unfortunately could not get an appointment for the civil ceremonies which are all completely booked out. My fianc and I just booked our wedding date here for next year for the 1 hour ceremony. You wont have the judgement of hundreds of people, so this is your opportunity to shine and feel like your best self. Include Smugglers Cove bar on your list because it is whimsical, fun and has world-famous exotic cocktails. Access information about getting married at San Francisco City Hall. Whether you want to splurge on five-star luxury or find something chic but affordable, it is likely that you will find just what you are looking for in this area. Some states mark the middle name with the initial. Chef Matthew Dolan has created a culinary program which embraces contemporary California cuisine with influences from around the world. A San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 Restaurant for 18 consecutive years and winner of many other awards for culinary innovation. Choice of 4 different private dining areas that can be combined for larger groups, with the smallest private dining experience for 15 guests. Do allow plenty of time because traffic, parking, going through security, freshening up etc all cause delays. Proper hosts a variety of bars and restaurants under one roof or on the rooftop! The Monarch is a great nearby nightclub that boasts a stylish lounge upstairs. Thats a mandatory appointment you cant get married without it. Or head off to Muir Woods which is a paradise for nature lovers. If you did want to have your friends and family attend the ceremony, you could book a 1-hour time slot which can be booked much farther in advance (but also only Monday through Friday). The 3rd-Floor at San Francisco City Hall boasts some of the best photoshoot locations in this iconic building. And when the formalities are over, everyone will be in the mood for a delicious brunch! So far, everything weve described about the day sounds so formal. If you live in or near San Francisco, we recommend getting your license ahead of time. A snap by the famous big window is a must-have. Offers a spacious lounge area, perfect for relaxed dining or nibbles. The most peaceful floor in the building is the perfect place to escape and make top-notch wedding photos. I would not recommend picking up your license on the wedding day itself. Well-known as a destination for seasonal craft cocktails utilizing seasonal fruit plus a unique collection of wine and craft beer. Check out our hundreds of reviews from happy past City Hall couples! The same goes for my expert team of associate photographers. Many people at the ceremony & friends on Instagram have complimented Zoes astute use of light in addition to how well she captured our dynamic as a couple. Fifteen minutes before your civil ceremony appointment, go to Room 168 on the first floor. Founded in 1998, its among the citys longest-running dining institutions, serving a creative menu of French brasserie fare, along with classic cocktails. There are, of course, fun museums even kids will adore such as Museum of 3D Illusions, Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences. It can be easy to miss. If youre looking for something closer to City Hall to cut down on travel time, I have compiled a list of wedding photo locations that arewithin 3 miles of City Hallfor added convenience. DAY 1 10 AM - 2 PM Indulge a Post-Wedding Brunch Brenda's French Soul Food A City Hall wedding ceremony lasts for one hour and you can choose time slots between 9 AM and 3 PM. Morning weddings are much less crowded which is why we recommend booking a 9 AM wedding. There are no doovers and little that can be done if you end up disappointed with your experience or finished photos. Hi - my boyfriend and I plan to get married at SF City Hall on a Friday in September this year. There are several private dining options, from a casual luncheon to an elegant cocktail reception to a formal, sit-down dinner, The wine list is extensive, boasting over 3,500 wines from around the world, Spruce holds a highly coveted Michelin star, and has received many prized accolades for its cuisine since its opening in 2007, Poesia is high quality, authentic Italian restaurant located in the heart of the Castro in San Francisco, The restaurant is right off a hidden staircase on 18th Street and has been described as a magical, Calabrian dining experience, This warm and welcoming restaurant boasts a charming patio area that photographs beautifully. Like this Blog Post? Also, your photographer may offer to put your personal effects in their bag to avoid them being in the pictures, but they are already wearing extremely heavy camera gear and a bulky case. Once you have chosen your date and time, go to the County Clerk website 90 days before your date. No matter what your reason is for choosing a courthouse wedding in San Francisco, you will need to plan the day out ahead of time.