Make online reservations for Civil Ceremonies which are available Monday-Friday in three reservation slots. Rachel Levine October 14, 2022. If you would like tips on how to make your Civil Ceremony more special, check out my tips listed below. This SF Engagement Session is a Romantic Daydream. Hi! Need pro tips? Is it worth renting a private area, and if so, which? Peruvian cuisine is heavily influenced by the variety of ethnic backgrounds found throughout Peru so expert a diverse selection of delicious Peruvian-inspired food. In this article, Ill guide you through my favorite restaurants in San Francisco that are perfect for hosting a wedding day meal of any size. Like this Blog Post? The Mayors Balcony seats 40. Creating content is my passion! Or pick one of the quirky, amusing places such as Muse Mecaniqu showcasing a stunning collection of coin-operated musical instruments. You can even find a top-secret spot serving the most scrumptious coffee & cake! You should provide your own officiant for private ceremonies. There are no doovers and little that can be done if you end up disappointed with your experience or finished photos. I personally favor something elegant but modern jumpsuits, vests, fascinators, bustiers, bow ties, smoking jackets, tweed, fur, velvet or lace. The amount of time for this depends on how much time was booked with us. Host an extended cocktail hour with drinks, oysters (if you want! After all, there is a reason that tourists flock here. And this is the typical goal for couples: simplicity. Your wedding photographer should be willing to act as your witness. ), Stable Caf wedding photos & info (Mission District, San Francisco), 32 Best San Francisco Wedding Venues 2023 (by a wedding photographer). Octavia is the second restaurant from acclaimed chef Melissa Perello. This can be obtained from any county in California and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Popular dates including all Fridays year-round tend to book out quickly. Ive an article coming out soon about City Hall news and updates post-pandemic. The truth is, it doesnt have to be overwhelming or difficult! By KSL.com Sports | Updated - April 30, 2023 at 1:27 p.m. | Posted - April 29, 2023 at 5:16 p.m. SALT LAKE CITY Not every former Utah-based college and high school football star heard his name . You wont have the judgement of hundreds of people, so this is your opportunity to shine and feel like your best self. Especially if you choose a picturesque location that is a short drive away from your City Hall wedding ceremony venue and hotel. She did not miss a single beat and captured all the candid moments with perfection.Weeks before the wedding day, she took time to understand our love stories so wed feel comfortable being the best selves around her. There are always spots available. No matter what your reason is for choosing a courthouse wedding in San Francisco, you will need to plan the day out ahead of time. I have a full guide linked here on how you can add special touches to your experience. This place is known in the neighborhood as a go-to brunch spot and offers brunch on weekdays too. There will likely be one other couple who waits with you. The most popular private ceremony option is the one-hour wedding, held during the same hours as public civil ceremonies: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. One thing to be aware of is that this is a busy building. Prior to our meeting, I was sure to read & watch the guides Zoe expertly produced on what to expect from an engagement shoot, what to wear, and how to pose, which she quickly recapped before we got started. The bridges can be extremely congested in the mornings and indeed throughout the day. If you are looking for affordable private accommodation options, look for properties located in Hayes Valley. But, we still have some things that you may want to keep in mind. This place has a lot of character, its cute, quaint and down-to-earth. Your two-day itinerary can also include a short trip out of town. Shes super experienced and has a wiki of recommendations for every type of wedding vendor. If you prefer booking well in advance, you can do so up to a maximum of 24 months. Your email address will not be published. The planning process is typically much simpler and can take as little as a few weeks for a civil ceremony. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the quietest days of the week. Dealing with freeway traffic is probably not something you want to be doing on this most magical day! Get there early and wander around you wont regret it. All of my City Hall informative blog posts. When you start thinking about your San Francisco City Hall wedding, it can feel like a lot to plan. Most museums' late-night programs include special . A super chill, very relaxed, and absolutely lovely way to celebrate your wedding. Neapolitan-style pizzas, New American small bites, beer & wine in intimate, rustic-chic digs. San Francisco City Hall Events Page One-Hour Weddings. These include the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field with Golden Gate Bridge view, the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, Golden Gate Park, or even just a stroll around your favorite neighborhood. As one of San Francisco's most well known symbols, the cable car holds a special place in every San Franciscan's heart. Our next blog post will cover fun things to do after your San Francisco City Hall wedding, so look for that soon! Plus it has rustic wooden furnishings and pirates-themed dcor. ), and lots of delicious food. Ive been a wedding photographer since 2008 and Ive included tons of photos and info below to help you see exactly what your wedding reception could look like at any of these places. San Francisco is a fantastic, vibrant city, so why not enjoy it rather than rushing through! We do see some couples trying to fit as much as possible into as small a timeframe as possible to save money on their wedding photography. Why are weddings so expensive? This can especially be useful if you happen to choose a busy day for your wedding because we can remove people from the background using Photoshop . 25+ Best Engagement Photo Locations in California! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. DAY 1 10 AM - 2 PM Indulge a Post-Wedding Brunch Brenda's French Soul Food A City Hall wedding ceremony lasts for one hour and you can choose time slots between 9 AM and 3 PM. ], How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall, past wedding I photographed at China Live here. San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Sean Manaea throws a ball during a practice session at the Alfredo Harp . Yes, seats up to 60 or 100 standing. Here they are along with the up-to-date pricing: Theres also an evening wedding option but we dont see a lot of demand for those. As a nice additional touch, you could also host a champagne reception as part of your rental, for an additional fee. Chill at your home or hotel, go on a hike, to a sports game, anything you want. Or can we just mail the contract with the deposit to have it officially booked? With how tight our timeline is, it can have a really detrimental effect if youre late and flustered, sadly and you would be missing out on photography time youve paid for. Ive worked with many brides who are shocked that its crowded and filled with other couples celebrating! Rooms include the Bridge Tower Room which is nestled directly under the Bay Bridge and features wall-to-wall windows, with a private terrace. You can have a total of 100 guests in attendance. See our full dedicated blog post on this venue: View on map: Harborview Restaurant & Bar, 4 Embarcadero Center, Street Level, San Francisco, CA 94111, View on map: Spruce, 3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118, View on map: Poesia, 4072 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, Group reservations maximum: 70 outdoors; 45 indoors, View on map: Absinthe Private Dining, 388 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102, Group reservations maximum: 42 seated, 60 standing, View on map: 25 Lusk, 25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107, Type of cuisine: American / Californian Modern. At Poesia youll find homemade pasta, focaccia & Calabrian fare paired with wall projections of classic Italian films. They have a dining room heated patio, and sidewalk seating; walk-ins welcome. Foreign Cinema has earned a place on this list because of its incredible, versatile private dining. So after the ceremony we immediately guide the couple to our go-to spots around the building for photos. For smaller wedding ceremonies If you have 6 guests or fewer, make an appointment to have a small civil marriage ceremony or domestic partnership ceremony at City Hall. We communicate about all of this ahead of time. Finding a restaurant wont be a problem because there are so many great nearby places with fantastic in between menus. Because these kinds of ceremonies are so specialized and are unlike any other kind of wedding, so insider knowledge is key. The 3rd-Floor at San Francisco City Hall boasts some of the best photoshoot locations in this iconic building. Zoe also encouraged my husband and me to tell each other jokes as we had on our engagement shoot as a way for me to loosen up, as my nerves matched the enormity of the occasion.The finished photos are STUNNING. If you want to book a guided tour, we recommend San Francisco Experience City Tours by Hornblower Classic Cable Cars, San Francisco City Highlights and Sausalito Tour by Grey Lines of San Francisco and the classic hop on hop off tours which you can book here. Youll then submit the contract to room 495. Your ceremony is still 30-60 minutes away after you check in. Is a San Francisco City Hall wedding for you? This room also features a private terrace with views of the Bay. You should also have your witness with you, and if you don't have a witness, your photographer is happy to sign your marriage license. Scheduling it for the same day as the wedding is not recommended. Perhaps you can relate to these: -This is their second wedding and they want something less elaborate this time around. Wayfare Tavern is located at 558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111. Thanks! Thank you! You said 6 guests, but that is in addition to the bride and groom, is that correct? Start the process well ahead of time - the fabric for my suit got delayed by months due to shipping logistics and set the whole process back. Stable Cafe is a unique space built in an old 1800s carriage house in the Mission District offering friendly dining in an outdoor back patio. Heres just a short version of what I would recommend for 2 hours of photography time. San Francisco is notorious for it. We think youll love Vive La Tarte, Scullery, Straw and Dotties True Blue Caf. Dont be afraid to experiment with edgier styles! What else can we add on to make our day complete? Civil ceremony appointments are Monday through Friday, every half hour between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm. Since city hall ceremonies are booked in a 90 day window, we are used to being contacted mere weeks ahead of time. I look forward to hearing from you soon via my contact page! Fridays tend to be the busiest days at San Francisco City Hall. For all Bay Area counties, an appointment is necessary to get your marriage license. You must present your wedding license at the time of the ceremony. My fianc and I are planning on scheduling our civil marriage ceremony for 12/4/21. Hop on a cable car, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, visit one of the citys famed parks or beaches and dont forget to take some awesome photos along the way! Your desired photographer may have limited availability during the timeframe youre choosing, so that may affect which date you choose. There are a lot of great resources on How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall and so on, but I want to focus now on ideas for after!! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); photojournalist wedding photographers In the San Francisco Bay Area@zoelarkinphoto, HOME / AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE / PRIVACY POLICY //All content on this site is Zoe Larkin Photography 2023, Based in the Mission District, San Francisco.Serving the East Bay, sonoma, napa, marin, San Jose & SacrementoWoman-owned Minority Owned certified equally wed lgbtq+ inclusive, How to make your SF City Hall ceremony extra special, Mayors Balcony Weddings San Francisco City Hall, Your 2023 guide to 4th Floor Wedding Ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco City Hall full buyout Saturday wedding, Create the best timeline for your San Francisco City Hall wedding, Split photography coverage - when you want non-continuous hours, 27 best hotels to get ready at before your San Francisco City Hall wedding, on Complete Guide to Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall in 2023. A little story: back in May 2019, SF City Hall began enforcing the 6-guest rule . This Financial District family-run institution has been in business for 30 years and was extensively remodeled in 2018. Any info you have on this would be hugely appreciated. The Monarch is a great nearby nightclub that boasts a stylish lounge upstairs. Learn more on theirwebsite. The Stable Caf is located at 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110. Hi - my boyfriend and I plan to get married at SF City Hall on a Friday in September this year. Additionally could this take place in any open space at city hall and at any time (adhering to when city hall is open of course). Pin it on Pinterest! For more information about San Francisco City Hall Rotunda and the floor plan, visit the Event's Department page. Though the ceremony is seen as the centerpiece of the experience, there is much more to consider. Early morning weddings (starting at 9am) give you the rest of the day to celebrate in your own way. And with so many elegant restaurants, bars and hotels literally around the corner, you are bound to find a place youll love. Please leave them in the comments below so other people who want to learn how to get married at San Francisco City Hall can benefit too. Get to San Francisco City Hall early. A City Hall wedding is one in which efficiency is prioritized over personalization. One of the things we love about civil ceremonies are the variety of attire we see couples wear. There are three main types of bookings you can choose from for your San Francisco City Hall wedding experience. The first step is to get in line outside of room 168, check-in, and take a number. Located in a historic schoolhouse with brick walls and soaring ceilings in a quiet neighborhood near public transit. Some offer private rooms for 10 people, while others have spaces for up to 100 guests. This type of wedding is called a civil ceremony, also known as a public ceremony. Mondays can also be a little busy as couples want to tie their wedding in with the weekend. Did you know that most of them are located in the town center? Harringtons is located at 245 Front St, San Francisco, CA 94111. Your page is extremely helpful. Instead of the traditional gendered pronouncement, judges will say I now pronounce you spouses for life. We love this! Pre-pandemic, there used to be four couples for every half hour slot. Your email address will not be published. Yelp | Google. For parties of 12 or more, theres a prix fix menu. You can get married in San Francisco's historic City Hall by a Commissioner from the Office of the County Clerk. The building is only relatively empty when the doors open at 8am. Many private dining options available depending on the size of the group. View on map: Starbelly, 3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, Type of cuisine: Californian Comfort Food, Private dining? However, you can always plan to go to a quiet area of City Hall for a special vow-sharing moment. F Line transport accommodation from SF City Hall. Ive created a handy zoomed-out timeline infographic showing when you should do each of the typical wedding planning activities associated with a City Hall wedding. For civil ceremonies, 3 months is all you need to pull it all together. In the past 5 years its gained so much popularity and I see it getting more and more crowded each time Im there! Average Cost of a Wedding in San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences offers late-night admission every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., while the de Young Museum, one of the city's best art museums is open late on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Well-known as a destination for seasonal craft cocktails utilizing seasonal fruit plus a unique collection of wine and craft beer. You can schedule the marriage license anytime up to 90 days before the wedding date. Features a modern aesthetic through a historic brick and timber warehouse originally built in 1917 as a meatpacking and smokehouse facility. A lunch or dinner reservation can determine this as well. My fianc and I booked getting our marriage license at the end of august at 1:30pm but unfortunately could not get an appointment for the civil ceremonies which are all completely booked out. Hi David, Im so sorry my reply is coming in so shamefully late its been the craziest wedding season in history, and I havent had a chance to breathe since before May! Read more below to see if you qualify and to see how it works! Yes. If you live in or near San Francisco, we recommend getting your license ahead of time. During the winter months, the quality of light is considerably darker by this time. And this is the typical goal for couples: simplicity. Does not need to be overly fancy food but would like it to feel special. You have fewer guests and the venue rental cost is a fraction of a typical wedding. There are so many! Specialist dishes include Salt & Pepper Live Crab and R&G Special Beef. In comparison to traditional weddings, anyway. This is where the civil ceremonies take place. Serving San Francisco, Yosemite, Mendocino, Big Sur, New York, & everywhere. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. My fianc and I just booked our wedding date here for next year for the 1 hour ceremony. Pin this graphic below to your San Francisco City Hall Pinterest board! In short, its an elevated experience. They still had their same ceremony and met up with everyone for dinner afterward. As to which area, my vote goes to the4th Floor North Gallery (shown above). But what most people don't know that City Hall's actual open hours are 8AM - 8PM. There are several private dining options, from a casual luncheon to an elegant cocktail reception to a formal, sit-down dinner, The wine list is extensive, boasting over 3,500 wines from around the world, Spruce holds a highly coveted Michelin star, and has received many prized accolades for its cuisine since its opening in 2007, Poesia is high quality, authentic Italian restaurant located in the heart of the Castro in San Francisco, The restaurant is right off a hidden staircase on 18th Street and has been described as a magical, Calabrian dining experience, This warm and welcoming restaurant boasts a charming patio area that photographs beautifully. If the language of your ID is not English, you will need to bring a certified translation. Proper hosts a variety of bars and restaurants under one roof or on the rooftop! aarich228 4 mo. Plus it'll allow you to get golden hour sunset portraits or plan for a dinner reception! On your ID, make sure your entire name including any middle names, are spelled out in full. My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. I know itll be too late for you, for which I apologize but hoping this may help others who have the same question. Reserve your appointment up to 90 days in advance. This isnt part of the process that I have any insight into as a photographer, Im afraid. Absinthe Bar https://www.opentable.com/absinthe-brasserie-and-bar, City Hall Wedding After Party: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/travel-dining/g8256/things-to-do-san-francisco/, Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel https://www.sirfrancisdrake.com/, Brendas French Soul Food http://frenchsoulfood.com, SFMOMA https://www.timeout.com/san-francisco/things-to-do/best-san-francisco-museums, Napa Valley https://www.visitnapavalley.com/. But if youre a planner like we are, you want to know what to expect. I appreciate this website. This limit includes any children in your group and your photographer. You can travel by cars or book a hassle-free guided tour via Get Your Guide or Viator. Then its time to wait! With an average wedding cost of $39,300, San Francisco is about $6,000 more expensive than the national average. The Cavalier is a London-inspired brasserie, located adjacent to Hotel Zetta in San Franciscos SoMA neighborhood. If thats the case, bring a passport or birth certificate too. What Im not 100% clear on is how long in advance we need to schedule our Marriage License appointment. SF City Hall tends to be less busy towards the end of the day as tours have left and there are no more ceremonies after yours, which means it'll be easier to capture the iconic shots on the staircase and balcony. There are two different areas to choose from: You can design your ceremony to resemble a more traditional wedding, such as reading your own wedding vows, having acoustic musicians and floral decorations on plinths. It features panoramic views of the bay, Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and the San Francisco skyline. Thats why we believe we are the best choice for your SF City Hall wedding. N&J went to Harringtons Bar and Grill with their guests for a pint! Questions, comments? The setting is sophisticated yet unpretentious with a stunning view of San Francisco Bay and the Ferry Building. The 23 restaurants on my list all serve excellent food and will take great care of you. There are a million great ways to celebrate your marriage and here are a few Ive seen done and done well, with anywhere from only a handful of guests all the way up to fifty guests or so. She shot both the City Hall ceremony and our reception. Kick your shoes off, pop open a bottle of champagne, and toast to your happiness while sitting on a blanket surrounded by daisies. At Pier 39 you can spot sea lions, the Barbary Coast will give you a glimpse of towns history, while the iconic bridge that connects San Francisco to Californias northern countries provides jaw-dropping photo opportunities. Make a shortlist of photographers and other vendors. Its completely up to you. Elegant, with a contemporary and clean, black-and-white aesthetic. You also get to control when proceedings start, and say your own vows. It is your wedding after all, so why not extend the evening and have another drink or two at a nearby club, bar or at a comfy lounge. A valid, unexpired, marriage license issued by a California County. The process of getting married here can be seen as just a tad impersonal as its essentially a conveyor belt of weddings happening in close succession. Not once have we ever met a couple who was disappointed with their choice. Modern, minimalist wine bar with a rotating menu of prix fixe food pairings & a la carte items, The Patio is located in the Marina District. Private area rental (Mayors Balcony or 4th Floor North Gallery). If you are up for some wine tasting, you can visit some of Californias famous vineyards in Sonoma or Napa Valley. Their extensive menu is dedicated to fresh seafood, dim sum and dinner with banquet tastings. Or, if you prefer to do everything on the same day, schedule your marriage license appointment at least one hour before your ceremony to give yourselves plenty of time. I would not recommend picking up your license on the wedding day itself. The earliest and latest slots of the day are the first to book out. It has a cozy ambiance with inviting string lights above the patio itself and a warm outdoor firepit for chilly evenings. These weddings are, as the name states, an hour long. At Kokkari, youll experience the old-world charm of a rustic Mediterranean country inn with an inviting fireplace, extensive woodwork, hand-made pottery and fresh picked flowers. Absinthe Private Dining, located adjacent to Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, functions as a completely private dining room, with its own entrance, coat closet, restroom, and bar. Organize a sightseeing tour or just hop on a cable car, visit a museum, spend a day in one of the parks or even go out of town for a wine tasting tour or a hiking trip. Starbelly is a casual and friendly neighborhood restaurant in San Franciscos lively Castro District. The San Francisco Botanical Garden is located at 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122 and you dont need a permit to have a small picnic here. When your ceremony is over, its time to leave the rotunda to make way for the next ceremony. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the decision Monday. What different types of ceremonies are available? The first step is to decide where you want to celebrate your nuptials after the ceremony. They all love and welcome all City Hall wedding groups. This is the easiest and most popular way to get married at City Hall. Since you can only book 90 days ahead of time, and the calendar can get competitive, keep your options open when it comes time to book. The biggest observation my wife and I had was how nervous we thought we SHOULD have been (we have never done a photoshoot) but yet were put completely at ease. I would advise you call and check with them. The entire second floor of the Waterbar is given over to private dining. A City Hall wedding ceremony lasts for one hour and you can choose time slots between 9 AM and 3 PM. Look for the single Parking sign above the entrance. This is your one day to savor and enjoy and the photos are forever. Most couples go out to eat after the ceremony, whether its on their own, with a few friends, or with a large gathering of loved ones. The key advantage of planning a small City Hall wedding ceremony is having a plethora of options for lunch, dinner or cocktails. Private dining? They are a. When should you start planning your San Francisco City Hall wedding? Include Smugglers Cove bar on your list because it is whimsical, fun and has world-famous exotic cocktails. Would you say the rules of 6 guests will still be relaxed in 2022? Every judge says the same thing with only about 10% variation between each one.