A couple cheering on 4th floor balcony after their ceremony!
SF city hall
Timeless & Iconic

San Francisco City Hall Wedding guide

Wedding Information & City Hall Portfolio

2025 SF City Hall Wedding Info

A City Hall wedding guide on everything you need to know!

San Francisco City Hall serves as a stunning and affordable wedding venue for couples. It offers breathtaking ceremony locations while providing an elegant backdrop for unforgettable moments. For example, the 4th floor balcony is perfect for those who value privacy and elegance. Additionally, couples seeking timeless San Francisco City Hall wedding photos will love the venue’s grand architecture, which features iconic spots such as the Rotunda, the Mayor’s Balcony, and again, the 4th floor balcony. Moreover, for detailed City Hall wedding info, including bookings and photography tips, I encourage you to explore my comprehensive City Hall wedding guide. Finally, if you’re searching for an experienced SF City Hall wedding photographer, please reach out to me at the bottom of this page!

A wide picture of SF City Hall taken from the Mayor's Balcony. It shows a couple going up the stairs in an empty city hall.

What to expect in this guide?

  1. How to get Married at City Hall
  2. Parking Garage & Transportation
  3. Ceremony Locations within City Hall
  4. Popular City Hall Photo Locations
  5. Why Hire a Photographer?
  6. Photo Coverage Pricing
  7. City Hall Portfolio

“My husband and I booked Jacob to take pictures of our wedding ceremony at City Hall, and we could not have asked for a better photographer. From the start, he communicated what to expect and how he would like to work with us”

-M&C-

How to Get Married at City Hall

  • Marriage License: Couples must first visit the County Clerk’s office to obtain their marriage license sometime before their ceremony reservation. In fact, you can even get your marriage license on the same day! However, if you choose to go this route (which I personally do not recommend), it is important to schedule your appointment at least one hour before your ceremony slot. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the marriage license fee, as of 2025, is $124.
  • Ceremony Reservation: Booking your ceremony in advance is essential. Fortunately, reservations can be made online through the official County Clerk website and must be made 90 days in advance. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Couples must present their wedding license at the ceremony. Here is the direct link to sign up for an appointment.
  • Personal Booking Tip! Since SF city hall is a public building, Monday and Friday are the most crowded days when it comes to foot traffic. If you plan on reserving on these two days, I recommend booking an early time slot. Before 11AM would work best!

Parking and Transportation

Parking near San Francisco City Hall can be limited. The Civic Center Garage, located across the street, is the most convenient option for visitors. However, it can take up to 10 minutes to walk from the garage to City Hall and pass through security, so plan your time accordingly. To avoid parking delays, using a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft is highly recommended. This option is especially convenient for couples and guests who want a stress-free arrival experience.

TIP: If you plan on having guests, PLEASE tell them the ceremony starts 30 min before the actual time! My fellow Filipino’s, I’m looking at you 😅

Three Ceremony Locations

The Rotunda
  • The Rotunda, positioned at the top of the grand staircase, remains the most popular location for civil ceremonies. For accessibility, there are two sets of elevators- one towards the Goodlett entrance, to the left after security, and another set on the left side behind the grand staircase.
  • You are “allowed” up to 6 guests to attend. BUT from my experience, the judges are lovely people and allow for more guests to attend and gather around my couples.
  • The cost for a Civil Wedding at the rotunda is $103.
  • Important: When arriving for your rotunda civil wedding appointment, begin by heading to the County Clerk’s office. You will receive a number to sign documents as a couple along with your witness(es). City Hall allows up to two witnesses, with a minimum of one required!
  • Below is a map on where the County Clerk’s office is located and how to get there.
A beautiful couple doing their first kiss at after their rotunda wedding at SF City Hall
A map on the rotunda of SF city hall and directions on how to get to the county clerk's office
The Mayor’s Balcony
  • This semi-private space sits on the second floor, overlooking the grand staircase.
  • With room for up to 100 guests and up to 40 chairs.
  • The cost for a reservation of Mayor’s balcony ceremony for one-hour is $1000. In addition, each chair is $3.50 to rent for the hour.
  • You do NOT need to head to the County Clerk’s office beforehand. You can sign the marriage license after the ceremony.
A picture of a couple getting married at the Mayor's Balcony at City Hall in San Francisco
A map of the Mayor's balcony in San Francisco for my guide to getting married there
  • The 4th floor City Hall wedding location is ideal for couples who seek privacy and natural light.
  • The north gallery can accommodate up to 100 guests, and up to 60 chairs.
  • Its expansive windows create a romantic setting for both ceremonies and photographs- The lighting up here is a photographers dream!
  • The cost for a reservation of the 4th Floor North Gallery balcony for one-hour is $1000. In addition, each chair is $3.50 to rent for the hour.
  • You do NOT need to head to the County Clerk’s office beforehand. You can sign the marriage license after the ceremony.
A black and white picture of a couple getting married at the 4th floor balcony at SF city hall
The Fourth Floor Balcony map at SF city hall

Capturing City Hall Wedding Photos

City Hall provides many opportunities for breathtaking SF city hall wedding photos, which allows couples to preserve their memories beautifully. Whether you prefer candid moments or formal portraits, this venue offers perfect backdrops, including:

  • The grand staircase, which exudes timeless elegance.
  • The third floor windows, for natural back lit scene, and it’s ability to create timeless silhouettes.
  • The 4th floor balcony, featuring stunning natural light.
  • Exterior areas, including the iconic dome and lush gardens

Why Hire a City Hall Wedding Photographer?

A skilled photographer ensures that every moment of your wedding is beautifully captured. They are essentially, your ultimate city hall wedding guide and have all the city hall wedding info you’d need for your big day. Additionally, working with an experienced professional helps take the stress out of your big day! They know how to utilize the best lighting, angles, and guide you to the popular locations. Dedicated city hall wedding photographers, such as myself, ensure that your SF City Hall wedding photos will reflect the beauty and joy of your special day. My process for city hall wedding photography is very streamlined from the first email to the final delivery! Want to see more of my city hall work? Check out one of my blogs here! Please reach out below if you are interested in a SF city hall wedding photographer.

Coverage Pricing

My city hall coverage starts at $900! Let me be your personal, ultimate guide to City Hall, ensuring your wedding experience is unforgettable and seamless. All of my city hall photography packages include: Two hours of service, 72-hour sneak peeks, your own personal online gallery, hi-res downloads, travel/parking fees, and unlimited calls to ensure a stress-free experience! My typical turn-around for final city hall photo galleries is around 2 weeks and include a minimum of 80 photos. For more general information on my my process and rates, click here.

City Hall Portfolio

Beautiful couple at the staircase of San Francisco City Hall. A wide shot of the whole city hall
A beautiful couple takes a picture in front of one of the windows at city hall in San Francisco
A beautiful bride with her cathedral veil over her on the 4th floor at city hall captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
A couples silhouette in front of the exit door at city hall captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
A stylish couple walks across the street in front of San Francisco City Hall captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
A bride enters her ceremony at the 4th floor at SF City Hall while her guests look at her in awe.
A wide shot of city halls interior and floors with a couple standing on one of the floors from a distance.
A couple on the 4th floor of city hall looking backwards towards the camera.
A couple at city hall wearing their traditional attire at city hall on the 4th floor balcony looking away from the camera
A couple going down the spiral staircase at city hall. The photo is black and white and looks like a classic film picture. captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
A couple smiling and laughing after their 4th floor balcony ceremony, captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
A groomsman poses after his San Francisco city hall wedding
A bride poses after her City Hall wedding in San Francisco
A couple does their first dance after their 4th floor city hall wedding
4th floor balcony portrait of a bride after her ceremony at SF city hall
A shot of the couple raising their hands in joy after the ceremony captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer on the 4th floor balcony
A portrait of a dashing groomsman in a green suit on the 4th floor balcony of city hall, san francisco
A family picture on the city hall 4th floor captured by a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
Beautiful couple at the staircase of San Francisco City Hall. A wide shot of the whole city hall

Interested in my City hall photo services? Reach out to learn more!

I hope my guide on the basic City Hall wedding info has provided some value. I am always open to helping others out, especially for big days like this. Please reach out if you have any questions!



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