CONGRATS!
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We’re incredibly excited for you. As wedding photographers with over 10 years of experience, we love witnessing the joyful moments between a couple and capturing them on camera.
One of the most exciting (and maybe stressful!) parts of a wedding is choosing a venue. There are so many factors to consider – location, budget, aesthetics, accommodations…you name it! But over our time photographing weddings, we’ve learned a thing or two about choosing a venue. We wanted to share this knowledge with you to help you feel confident throughout this process and ensure your special day runs smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll discuss our favorite wedding venue: San Francisco City Hall. Whether you’ve decided to book City Hall, are interested in exploring it as an option, or are just looking for more information about wedding venues, this guide is meant for you! Let’s dive in…
WHY SF CITY HALL?
San Francisco City Hall is a gorgeous venue featuring Beaux-Arts style architecture, making for a beautiful backdrop in your photos. The grandeur and elegance of the building are unmatched with its marble floors, decorative golden railings, and vaulted ceilings. As a historical landmark, its iconic dome and breathtaking views won’t disappoint.
But what about your wedding budget? One of the reasons SF City Hall is our go-to location is because of its affordability. Depending on several factors (such as the number of guests and the type of wedding), City Hall can be a cost-effective venue option.
We’ve photographed weddings at various locations across the country, but we always find ourselves coming back to SF City Hall. This is because it provides an ideal environment for taking wedding photos.
First, one of the benefits of being indoors is the lighting. The lighting is fairly consistent throughout the day and there’s plenty of natural light that shines through the windows to give your images a soft glow. Second, the marble interiors serve as a beautiful neutral backdrop in your photos. Third, there are many iconic spots in the venue that lead to great images: the grand staircase, the long hallways, the large windows (just to name a few!).
SF CITY HALL FLOORS
You may have heard the terms “Mayor’s Balcony” or “Rotunda.” We’re here to break down what these terms mean in relation to City Hall. The building has four floors, and we’ll discuss each of them below.
THE GRAND MARBLE STAIRCASE & THE ROTUNDA
Upon entering the building, you’ll arrive at the main lobby. The main feature of the first floor is the grand marble staircase. It’s the focal point of the room and many of our favorite wedding shots are taken here. At the bottom of the staircase, there are landings that are often used as stages for performances.
THE MAYOR’S BALCONY
On the second floor, you’ll find the Mayor’s Balcony. The balcony overlooks the grand staircase and provides a nice view of City Hall. Its prominent feature is its ornate golden railings. There are also small steps in the back of the space that are great for group photos.
THE THIRD FLOOR
The third floor features long hallways and large rectangle windows that are decorated with gold geometric patterns. These can be used as a backdrop for your images. The light streaming through the windows is great for creating romantic shots.
THE FOURTH FLOOR
The fourth floor is divided into two areas: North Gallery and South Gallery.
OUTDOORS
Are your wedding photos limited to inside the building? Of course not! You can get beautiful images outside with City Hall in the background. This is especially great for full-body shots. There is also an opportunity to capture photos of you and your partner exiting the gold-decorated City Hall double doors.
Located right behind City Hall, Memorial Court is a nice spot if you’re looking for additional wedding photos. The grass and trees along with the black gate posts with gold embellishments create a beautiful scene. At this spot, you’ll also get a clear view of City Hall in the background.
The best part is, Memorial Court is only a 5-7 minute walk from the front of City Hall. It’s definitely worth exploring if you’d like some photos outdoors.
LEARN MORE
We hope this guide has been helpful and provided guidance for planning your SF City Hall wedding. If you’re curious about our photography services or want to see more images from this venue, check out our Wedding Galleries at SF City Hall Weddings.
