The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco City Hall Weddings
San Francisco City Hall is one of the most stunning civic buildings in America. The iconic rotunda, beautiful light no matter the time of day, marble staircases, and elegant architectural details make it a dream backdrop for weddings and elopements. It’s perfect if you want something meaningful, beautiful, and less traditional than a big wedding, without sacrificing aesthetics or legality. Unlike a typical ceremony at a private venue, City Hall offers legal marriage services on site and lots of options for both a simple, no-frills civil ceremony or a more personalized private event, all in a historic landmark that says “San Francisco” without question.
Table of Contents
- Locations to Get Married Within the Park
- Permit Requirements
- Joshua Tree Venues
- When to Elope in Joshua Tree (Weather + Time of Year)
- Where to Stay
- Example Timelines
- Joshua Tree Elopement Packages
Marriage License Info
Where to go:
The County Clerk’s office inside City Hall, Room 168.
How to get it:
You both have to be there in person with valid government ID.
Timing:
Appointments happen Monday through Friday during business hours. You can get your license the same day as your ceremony, but it’s a lot less stressful to grab it earlier in the week. Once it’s issued, it’s valid for 90 days.
Cost:
Usually between 100 and 130 dollars. Prices shift occasionally, so it’s always smart to double check before you book.
Public vs confidential license:
A public license needs one witness. A confidential license does not. If you’re having a tiny elopement and don’t want a witness, the confidential option is perfect.
Ceremony Options at City Hall
You actually have a few different ways to get married here, depending on the vibe you want and how many people are coming with you.
1. Civil Ceremony (the classic option)
This is the quick and simple appointment most couples go for.
Who officiates:
A City Hall marriage commissioner.
Where it happens:
You’ll either be placed in the Rotunda or one of the ceremony rooms. You don’t get to choose, but both are pretty.
How long it takes:
About 5 to 10 minutes.
Guest limit:
Up to 6 people total. This includes your photographer and your witness. They actually count everyone.
Cost:
Around 100 dollars for the ceremony, plus your license fee.
Good for:
Tiny ceremonies, very short timelines, and couples who want something easy without renting a space.
2. One Hour Weddings (private ceremony on the Fourth Floor or Mayor’s Balcony)
If you want things a little more private or want more guests, this is such a good option.
Locations:
The Mayor’s Balcony or one of the Fourth Floor Galleries. Both are stunning and give you more privacy and space.
How long:
You get the area for one hour, which is plenty of time for a ceremony and photos without feeling rushed.
Guest count:
Up to 100 people standing. If you want chairs, those are an additional rental.
Cost:
Usually around 1,000 to 1,200 dollars for the space.
Good for:
Couples who want privacy, a little more time, and more guests without going all-in on a full-scale wedding.
3. Two Hour and Weekend Weddings (bigger events)
These are the more formal City Hall weddings, usually held on the main level near the Grand Staircase.
Timing:
Usually Saturdays in two hour blocks, but they also offer evening options on certain days.
Guest count:
Up to about 200 people.
Cost:
Around 5,000 dollars for the basic two hour package.
Good for:
Larger weddings and couples who want lots of guests and a fully private experience inside the building.
Guest Info and Witnesses
Civil ceremonies:
Only 6 guests total . That includes your photographer, your witness, and anyone else. Just a note, that typically, this is not strictly enforced, and many couples bring up to 10 or 12 guests. Just be smart and don’t push the limit too far, because you never know which judge you’ll get and how strict they’ll be!
One hour and two hour weddings:
Much more flexible. Up to 100 for one hour and up to around 200 for the two hour option.
Witness rules:
One witness is required for public licenses. This can be your photographer, a passerby, or a guest. None needed for confidential licenses.
Best Time of Day to Elope at City Hall
City Hall is gorgeous all day, but lighting and crowd levels definitely change things.
Morning (around 9 am):
Soft light, quieter building, great for photos.
Late morning to mid-afternoon:
The busiest time. Still beautiful, but you’ll be working around more people.
Late afternoon:
A bit calmer again and really pretty light coming through the windows.
If you’re not tied to an official civil ceremony and you’re bringing your own officiant, going right at opening or closer to closing can make the whole experience feel extra peaceful.
Best Time of Year
Since everything happens indoors, you don’t have to worry about weather at all. Lighting looks different depending on the season, but there’s no bad month. Winter and early spring tend to be a little quieter. Summer and fall tend to be busier, especially around holidays. If you elope during December, you’ll get the gorgeous City Hall Christmas Tree in the backdrop of your photos.
Watch out for popular dates, like Valentine’s Day or 11/11! Choose a date that’s important to YOU, and you’ll generally avoid big crowds!
Photo Locations Inside City Hall
City Hall is basically one giant backdrop. Some of the best spots include:
• The Grand Staircase
• The Rotunda
• The Fourth Floor Galleries
• The various balconies and window-lined hallways
• The smaller staircases that are tucked around the building
If you’ve hired an experienced photographer, they’ll know exactly where to go to avoid crowds and use the best light.
Approximate Prices (always subject to updates)
Marriage license: about 100 to 130
Civil ceremony: about 100 to 110
One hour private wedding: around 1,000 to 1,200
Two hour Saturday wedding: around 5,000
Photographer: depends on the package
Officiant (for private weddings only): depends on who you hire
Chairs or rentals: additional depending on what you need
Planning and Day-Of Tips
Book your ceremony appointment as early as you can because dates fill quickly.
Pick up your license before the ceremony day if possible.
Arrive early. Parking, security, and lines add time.
If you want privacy, consider a one hour reservation or bring your own officiant and choose an early or late time.
City Hall doesn’t allow décor for civil ceremonies, but private weddings can include things like chairs, simple floral arrangements, and light music.
After the ceremony, your officiant and witness will sign your license. Make sure it gets submitted back to the county so your marriage can be recorded.
San Francisco City Hall Elopement Packages
Has this guide convinced to you elope at SF City Hall yet?! If so, it’s time to start planning! Lucky for you, we’re a California native photo + video team ready to help you plan and document the courthouse wedding of your dreams!
Here’s what we offer:
- Packages ranging from 2 hours to full day coverage
- Digital + 35mm photographs
- Super 8 + Camcorder
- A pro elopement planning guide
- Pre-wedding consultations
- All travel is included
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