Private San Francisco City Hall Wedding and Presidio Reception

A Private San Francisco City Hall Wedding and Presidio Social Club Reception

Cindy and Ben got ready at the Lodge at the Presidio before heading to their private San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony. Afterward, we made the most of the late afternoon light with portraits in some of my favorite spots around the Presidio—Wood Line, the old bunkers overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and a few tucked-away corners that never disappoint. Their reception was held at the Presidio Social Club, a warm and elegant spot that paired perfectly with the rest of their day.

The Lodge at the Presidio is one of the newer hotels in the area, and it shares a lot of the charm and character of its sibling property, the Inn at the Presidio. The design is clean and thoughtful, with just enough historic detail to remind you where you are. The main difference? You’ll need a room key to move between floors—something to keep in mind if you have a big group getting ready there. Still, it’s a beautiful place to start a wedding day, especially with views of the Bay peeking through the eucalyptus.

This was my first time photographing a City Hall wedding on a weekend, and it was a completely different experience from the usual weekday whirlwind. No waiting in line, no jockeying for space with ten other couples—it was just us, and it felt calm, intimate, and personal in a way City Hall weddings rarely are.

I’ve said it before, but the Presidio is a fantastic place for a wedding. I had been slightly concerned about the logistics of doing a City Hall ceremony and a Presidio reception—San Francisco traffic can be unpredictable—but everything flowed smoothly. The Presidio Social Club is long and narrow, which makes moving through it a bit tricky when it’s full, but we worked it out without a hitch.

A highlight of the night was bumping into past clients, Iris and Warren, who were there with their new baby. It’s always such a joy to reconnect with couples I’ve worked with and see how their lives have grown. As for Cindy and Ben, they were great. Easygoing, kind, and totally present throughout the day. Photographing their wedding was an absolute pleasure.

If you want to check out another cool spot in the Presidio, check out the wedding I shot at the Presidio Log Cabin.