Couple laughing at SF City Hall Civil Ceremony

Tiffany and Phil’s SF City Hall Civil Ceremony

If you’re planning a SF City Hall civil ceremony, good news—they’re back in full swing. They’ve actually been back for a little while now, but Tiffany and Phil’s wedding marked my first time back shooting there in over a year. Things have changed. Fewer couples are tying the knot on any given day, and the usual crowds of tourists and passersby seem to have thinned out. It doesn’t have that hectic, swirling energy it sometimes had in the past, but the upside is that there’s a lot more breathing room to enjoy the space.

You can still get married by a City marriage commissioner in the iconic Rotunda, but I’ve noticed more couples are opting to reserve private ceremony spots like the Mayor’s Balcony or the 4th Floor Galleries. These spaces offer more privacy, dramatic light, and a bit of quiet, which can be rare in such a grand public building. They currently cost $1,000 for a one-hour rental. If you’re considering one of these spaces, check out the County Clerk’s website for the most up-to-date info and guidelines.

Ceremony

Tiffany’s parents and a couple of friends joined them for the wedding. Phil’s friend officiated the ceremony on the Mayor’s Balcony. After the ceremony, we all went up to the 4th floor for pictures.

Fourth Floor Gallery Portraits

The fourth floor really has the best light. After doing a few friend and family portraits, we made our way down to the ground floor. We stopped along the way for couple portraits, chatting as we went.

Chinatown SF

We met up with Tiffany’s parents (who were married at SF City Hall 30 years ago) at the bottom of the grand staircase. Then we headed to Chinatown, where they were having dinner. We walked, talked, and took some more pictures before meeting up with their friends at the Wayfare Tavern. We even found a Zolar machine in Chinatown, and it was awesome. San Francisco City Hall weddings are back. I hope to work there again soon.