San Francisco City Hall Wedding & Ceremony Photographer

My Classic package is $1,500 for up to two hours at City Hall, with a minimum of 75 edited photographs. My Gold package is $2,450 for up to four hours, including City Hall and one additional San Francisco location, with a minimum of 150 edited photographs. City Hall ceremony and rental fees are separate.

The ceremony itself is brief, but your photography coverage includes much more: portraits, family photographs, candid moments, and time for check-in and moving through the building. My two-hour minimum gives us room to work around the day’s schedule and create a varied gallery without making every moment feel rushed.

Civil ceremony appointments become available 90 days in advance through the County Clerk’s booking system. Popular dates can fill quickly, so check the calendar as soon as your date becomes available. Private ceremony rentals follow a separate reservation process through City Hall Events and can be arranged further ahead.

Yes. You can reach out before your ceremony appointment is available so we can discuss your preferred date, photography coverage, and possible timing. Your photography booking and City Hall ceremony reservation are separate. Before confirming photography, we should agree on a plan that accounts for your ceremony time still being unconfirmed.

Once we have confirmed your date and package, send me both of your full names and your email address. I will prepare your contract and a separate invoice for the 30% retainer. Your date is officially reserved once both the signed contract and retainer are complete. The remaining balance is due on the session day.

A civil ceremony is a short ceremony conducted by a County Clerk officiant, usually in the Rotunda or another assigned space. A one-hour private rental reserves the Mayor’s Balcony or Fourth Floor North Gallery for your ceremony. It accommodates more guests and allows a more personal ceremony, with an officiant you arrange separately.

Civil ceremonies allow up to six guests in addition to the couple. Photographers, witnesses, and children count toward that limit. One-hour private rentals accommodate up to 100 guests, with seating capacity depending on the space. If you are planning a larger gathering, we should discuss the ceremony option and photography timeline together.

Bring your valid California marriage license and the government-issued photo identification required by the County Clerk. A public marriage license requires at least one witness; a confidential license does not. Your appointment confirmation contains the requirements to follow. I recommend arranging your marriage license before the wedding day when possible.

The one-hour rental refers to access to your reserved ceremony space. Photography also includes portraits, family photographs, and moments before or after the ceremony. My City Hall coverage has a two-hour minimum, and larger guest lists or additional plans may need more time. We will build the timeline around your celebration.

You do not need a private ceremony rental simply to take portraits in areas open to the public. We can photograph on the Fourth Floor or Mayor’s Balcony when those spaces are accessible and available. If an area is reserved for another event or closed, we will use other locations within the building.

Regular public access and civil ceremonies are on weekdays. Weekend weddings require a private event arrangement through City Hall Events. For a portrait-only session, I recommend choosing a weekday so we can use the building during public access hours.

I usually recommend an early weekday morning, ideally starting photography at 8:00 AM. Tuesday through Thursday mornings are often calmer, while Fridays tend to be particularly busy. If an early start does not suit your plans, I can help choose another time based on your ceremony, the season, and the photographs you want.

Yes. For a morning ceremony, starting with portraits can help us make use of the quieter building before more visitors arrive. We then allow time for check-in, photograph your ceremony, and take family photographs afterward. Your photography start time does not need to match your ceremony appointment.

The appointment time does not always mean the ceremony begins at that exact moment. I allow for check-in and waiting when planning your photography timeline, then adjust the order of portraits as needed. If a delay becomes significant, we will prioritize the photographs that matter most within your booked coverage.

Civic Center Garage at 355 McAllister Street is a convenient nearby option. Allow extra time for parking, walking to City Hall, and security before our agreed meeting time. Check the garage’s current hours and access before your visit, especially around holidays and major events.

Yes. You can book a portrait session at City Hall for an engagement, anniversary, or wedding celebration, even if your legal ceremony takes place elsewhere. We will plan around public access and available areas of the building. My City Hall photography coverage has a two-hour minimum.

Send me a short, prioritized list of the family groups you would like photographed, including names. Let your guests know they should stay nearby after the ceremony for pictures. A clear list helps us work efficiently and leave time for your couple portraits. Larger groups and longer lists need additional time.

Yes. My four-hour Gold package includes City Hall and one additional San Francisco location. Options include the Palace of Fine Arts, Legion of Honor, Baker Beach, or another place meaningful to you. We will choose the location around travel time, light, weather, and any access or permit requirements.

Yes, an outfit change can be included if we plan time for it. Let me know before booking so we can make sure your coverage fits the photographs you want. Changing, adjusting clothing, and moving between locations all take time, especially with more elaborate outfits.

Yes. I will guide you through where to stand, how to move, and what to do with your hands, while leaving space for your own expressions and connection. You do not need to practice poses beforehand. My approach combines clear direction for portraits with candid photographs of the day as it unfolds.

Your edited gallery is generally delivered within four to seven weeks, depending on the season. It includes high-resolution photographs ready to download, print, and share. I select and edit the images before delivery; RAW files and unedited photographs are not included. Your delivery timeframe will be confirmed in your agreement.

Yes. City Hall is an inclusive space and every couple is welcome. Every love story is documented with respect, care, and intention.