How Much to Get Married at Sf City Hall
San Francisco City Hall Weddings
The Ultimate San Francisco City Hall Weddings Planning Guide
(with pricing, photos, and videos)
San Francisco City Hall Weddings are one of the most common ceremonies each week, so I made this guide to help in your planning and make it easy! With over 200 weddings photographed there, I created this ultimate planning guide to help answer the most common questions to San Francisco City Hall Weddings.
Don't forget to BOOKMARK (command + D) this page to reference it throughout your planning process!
Why San Francisco City Hall Weddings?
With architecture better than actual wedding venues, San Francisco City Hall is thebest compromise between a gorgeous wedding venue and price! For $200, you can get the marriage license and have a ceremony all within a few hours for a no hassle approach to your wedding. With almost 200 couples every week getting married here, the City and County of SF has made it a pretty straightforward process to get married. All it takes is filling out basic paperwork, getting a marriage license, and having a 5 minute ceremony to officially become a married couple. For those couples who prefer an intimate "just us" experience versus planning a larger celebration, having your wedding at San Francisco City Hall is the best route!
All You Need to Know for Booking San Francisco City Hall Weddings :
Get a Marriage License and Book a Civil Ceremony Appointment
These are two separate appointments and can be done on two different days if you want (to avoid stress on the wedding day).
Monday – Friday 8:15AM – 3:30PM
Marriage licenses cost $110 and last 90 days.
Civil ceremonies cost $90
Ceremonies done at the Rotunda with a max of 6 guests
Book your appointments here
Book the Mayor's Balcony or the 4th Floor (optional)
Monday – Friday 9AM – 3PM
$1000 1 hour rental fee
Can fit up to 60 seated guests (40 for the Balcony, 60 for the 4th floor). Chair rentals are an additional fee.
North Side of the 4th Floor is suggested for better lighting
Musicians can be used from this approved list
You will need your own officiant to get the most out of this space. Or you can have someone you knowget ordained and do it
How much do San Francisco City Hall Weddings Cost?
San Francisco City Hall weddings require both a marriage license and a ceremony to make it official.
Civil ceremonies cost $90
How much does a San Francisco City Hall Marriage License Cost?
San Francisco City Hall weddings require both a marriage license and a ceremony to make it official.
Marriage licenses cost $110 and last 90 days.
2 Steps to Having a Wedding at San Francisco City Hall – Rotunda Ceremony
Check – In to Room 168 (first floor)
It is recommended to have your marriage license appointment at least a day before your wedding day, but you can have it up to one hour before your wedding ceremony time if you want it all done in one day.
10 minutes prior to your ceremony time, check in again at room 168. Don't forget your IDs!
You will get a number. Wait times vary from 5 – 15 minutes for your number to be called.
Sign marriage certificate with up to 2 witnesses and legalize the marriage!
Wedding Ceremony (2nd floor Rotunda)
Make your way to the Rotunda
There is approximately a 5 – 15 minute wait until your ceremony so you have time to take relax, take photos, or make any adjustments
90% of the time your ceremony will not start at the designated time – so don't stress!
Ceremonies last anywhere from 5-8 minutes depending on the Judge
How to Have a Wedding at San Francisco City Hall – Mayor's Balcony / Fourth Floor Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony
Make your way to the ceremony location
Chairs (if purchased) will be set up and the area cordoned off with rope
Ceremonies last anywhere from 10 – 20 minutes depending on your officiant (additional vendor to hire)
Your Officiant will need up to 2 witnesses to sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony
Looking for a San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer?
Let's chat about your San Francisco City Hall Wedding!
San Francisco City Hall Weddings – Ceremony Locations
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
San Francisco City Hall weddings are offered in 3 main areas to hold your ceremony. 95% of the time, your ceremony will be held at the Rotunda at the top of the grand staircase. For those who want a little more privacy and have up to 60 guests, the Mayor's Balcony and 4th Floors are available for an additional cost.
San Francisco City Hall Rotunda
Located at the top of the grand staircase, this is where 95% of the standard wedding ceremonies are held. The classic location for most Couples that works great.
San Francisco City Hall Mayor's Balcony
Overlooking the grand staircase, this private balcony on the 2nd floor can fit up to 40 guests and offers the best overall SF City Hall landscape view.
San Francisco City Hall Fourth Floor Wedding
The light that shines on this floor is like no other. Complete privacy for you and up to 60 guests, the North side is preferred for better light.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Walkthrough (1 min video)
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photos
FAQ for San Francisco City Hall Weddings
When is the best time for an empty staircase photo?
I'd recommend booking the first available time slot (9AM) or the latest (3:30). With the latter, there is a small chance that City Hall will be rented out for a private event and decor will already be in place. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the least busy days.
Where do I park?
There is an underground parking lot one block away from City Hall (Civic Center Garage) in addition to metered parking around the building. Street parking is medium difficult. Pay attention to 3PM towing / street cleaning signs – they will tow!
Where can we take photos?
There are 4 levels to photograph in San Francisco City Hall, but we will focus on the 3 main ones to give you the best images. Time permitting we can explore the interior and exterior. Getting the grand staircase is a given, but I cannot guarantee an "empty staircase" photo since it is the most popular area in the building.
Where do you recommend for the reception?
Fortunately, SF City Hall is centrally located and you have a ton of options to go to after your ceremony. If you want the most popular location, Absinthe is an few blocks away and has a full bar. If you want a more extensive list of venues a short distance away, take a look at my Top Places to Eat Around San Francisco City Hall.
San Francisco City Hall wedding cost?
Marriage License – $110
Wedding Ceremony – $90
(optional) Mayor's Balcony / 4th Floor – $1000
(optional) Weekend 2 hour rental – $5000
(optional) Evening / Weekend rental – varies
San Francisco City Hall weddings locations?
There are several ceremony locations to choose from, but the main area is going to be the Rotunda, which is located at the top of the grand staircase. This is the location that comes with your standard civil ceremony fee. For additional costs, the Mayor's Balcony and 4th Floors are available. Personally, I would recommend the North 4th Floor for best photos.
Do you know any Makeup Artists (MUAs)?
I have dozens of wedding industry contacts and would be happy to suggest vendors I have worked with to aid in your wedding planning. Florists, MUAs, Officiants, Musicians, and Videographers to name a few.
Where else can we take photos in San Francisco?
Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below!
ianchinphotography@gmail.com
762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118
How Much to Get Married at Sf City Hall
Source: https://ianchinphotography.com/san-francisco-city-hall-weddings/