10 Things You Should Know Before Your

San Francisco City Hall Wedding

Planning a San Francisco City Hall wedding sounds simple, and it can be, but there are a few things that can make a big difference in how your day actually feels (and how your photos turn out).

After photographing so many weddings here, these are the things I always tell my couples ahead of time:

1. Give Yourself Extra Time for Parking

There’s no on-site parking at City Hall, so you’ll want to plan ahead a bit.

I always use Civic Center Parking garage with entrance at McAllister Street, if you are running late go straight to a 3rd floor, they have elevators.

Give yourself a little buffer time so you’re not rushing in right before your ceremony.

2. You Can Bring Your Dog (Yes, Really)

If you’re thinking about including your pup, do it! It’s such a fun, personal touch.

Leashed and well-behaved dogs are generally welcome, and I’ve seen more and more couples bring them lately.

Just keep in mind it’s still a busy public space, so having someone help handle your dog during photos is recommended. If you are eloping hire a local dog walker for an hour or an expert from Dog of Honor. 

3. The Grand Staircase Isn’t Always Available

That iconic staircase shot everyone loves? Sometimes it’s closed off.

If there’s a big event happening later in the day, they may block access to the first floor while they set up which means no staircase photos, even for a minute.

If that photo is important to you, it’s worth checking ahead of time so there are no surprises.

4. There Are a Few Photography Rules

You can take photos in most areas of City Hall, which is amazing, but there are a couple of small restrictions.

No photos inside offices, and no flash near the Clerk’s Office where you check in.

If you’re working with a photographer who knows the space well, you won’t even have to think about this they’ll handle it.

5. It Gets Warmer Than You’d Expect

“It’s getting hot in here…” — I had to 😄

Even on cooler San Francisco days, City Hall runs warm—especially upstairs. The first floor usually feels fine, but once you head up, it can get pretty toasty, especially in a wedding dress or suit.

A small fan or blotting papers can honestly be a lifesaver. It’s a tiny thing that makes a big difference in how comfortable (and photo-ready) you feel.

6. You Won’t Have the Place to Yourself—and That’s Okay

I know a lot of photos make it look like couples had City Hall completely empty… that’s just not reality.

It’s a public building, so there are always people around, other couples, tourists, photoshoots, you name it.

The good news? This is where hiring an experienced San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer really matters. Knowing where to go, when to move, and how to frame things makes all the difference.

If you can, try to avoid the middle of the day, it’s usually the busiest.

7. Your Marriage License Doesn’t Have to Be From San Francisco

A lot of couples don’t realize this, you can bring a marriage license from anywhere in California.

It doesn’t have to be issued in San Francisco, which makes things much easier if you’re coming from out of town for your San Francisco courthouse wedding.

Just make sure it’s still valid (they expire after 90 days).

8. You Can Bring Your Own Officiant

If you couldn’t get a ceremony appointment at City Hall, don’t panic, you still have options.

You can absolutely bring your own officiant and have a simple ceremony inside. Some couples even have a friend or family member get ordained, which makes it feel even more personal.

It’s one of those little things that gives you more flexibility than you’d expect.

9. You don’t get the Marriage Certificate on a day of the wedding 

Right after your ceremony, you’ll get a souvenir certificate, but that’s not the official one.

Your actual marriage certificate gets filed afterward, and you can request a certified copy about 10 days later.

It’s totally normal, just something good to know ahead of time so you’re not wondering where it is.

Please note your marriage certificate must be filed with the same County from which you received your license.

10. You can still personalize your wedding.

To some courthouse wedding can feel like a cookie-cutter wedding, but there are ways to personalize your experience.

First Look – Take a separate cars and have that “walking down an isle moment” when you see each other for the first time.

Personal Vows – SF City Hall Commissioners does not allow custom vows, but you can do a private vows exchange during the first look or after your ceremony.

Attire/Flowers – I’ve never seen two wedding dresses twice at SF City Hall. Stylish attire and modern bouquet can add a lot of personality to your photos.

A little Things –  I’ve seen couple bringing a little heirlooms to their ceremony, family photos, or tie clips with GPS coordinates of the city hall. Enjoy the first dance in a hallway, no speakers are allowed, but you many times you can hear acoustic music coming from 4th Floor or Mayor’s Balcony private ceremonies. Do a bouquet toss if you like or bring a slice a cake from your favorite bakery to share with your spouse after the ceremony.

Celebrate it YOUR Style –  Have friends meet you outside for a celebratory exit, Pop a bottle of bubbles on a Civic plaza, take your guests on a photo tour around SF in a party bus or grab a celebratory hotdog in front of City Hall and take a nap. It’s your wedding day!

 

 

Bonus Tips:

 

11. Valid ID – It sounds obvious, but please makes sure your ID you planning to bring to your weddings is valid, City Hall staff will accommodate you if you are late for your ceremony (as long as you are there before 3:30pm) but they very strict as far as valid ID. You would be surprised how many times a forgotten ID or invalid ID put a hard stop to a wedding day.

12. Witness – If you applied for a pubic marriage license you are required to bring one witness your ceremony. If you’re planning something super intimate, it’s easy to overlook. You can bring someone with you, or even ask your photographer (a lot of us have stepped in before!) That rule does not apply if you are obtaining confidential marriage license.

13. No Balloons –  of any kind are allowed inside the City Hall.

 

A San Francisco City Hall wedding is one of the easiest, most beautiful ways to get married, but the little details really do shape the experience.

If you go in knowing what to expect, everything feels smoother, more relaxed, and way more enjoyable. Reach out if you would like to me to capture your day while guiding you through the the process of getting married at San Francisco City Hall.