Getting married at San Francisco City Hall is a popular and affordable option for couples looking for a beautiful and convenient wedding venue. With its stunning architecture, iconic location, and range of customizable options, City Hall provides a memorable and unique setting for your special day.
The process of planning a City Hall wedding is relatively straightforward. The first step is to secure a marriage license from the County Clerk's Office. Once you have your license, you can book a wedding date and time with the City Hall staff. There is a small fee for booking a wedding ceremony.
On your wedding day, you and your guests will meet at the City Hall Rotunda. The ceremony will be performed by a civil official, and you will exchange vows in front of your loved ones. After the ceremony, you can take photos in the Rotunda or other areas of City Hall.
City Hall San Francisco Wedding
Here are 8 important points to keep in mind when planning a City Hall San Francisco wedding:
- Obtain a marriage license in advance.
- Book your wedding date and time.
- Choose a ceremony location within City Hall.
- Select a civil official to perform the ceremony.
- Gather your witnesses and guests.
- Arrive at City Hall on time for your ceremony.
- Exchange vows and rings.
- Celebrate your marriage with photos and a reception.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your City Hall San Francisco wedding is a memorable and special day.
Obtain a marriage license in advance.
The first step in planning your City Hall San Francisco wedding is to obtain a marriage license. You can do this at the County Clerk's Office in San Francisco. The fee for a marriage license is $90.
- To obtain a marriage license, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your full name and date of birth - Your social security number - Your parents' full names - Your current address - Your phone number - Your email address
- You will also need to provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
If you have been married before, you will need to provide a copy of your divorce decree or annulment papers.
- Once you have provided all of the required information, you will be issued a marriage license.
The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
- You must present your marriage license to the civil official who will be performing your ceremony.
The civil official will then file your marriage license with the County Clerk's Office.
By obtaining your marriage license in advance, you can avoid any delays on your wedding day.
Book your wedding date and time.
Once you have your marriage license, you can book your wedding date and time with the City Hall staff. To do this, you will need to contact the City Hall Wedding Office at (415) 554-4090. The Wedding Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
When you call to book your wedding, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your name and contact information
- The date and time you would like to get married
- The number of guests you will have
- The type of ceremony you would like (civil or religious)
The Wedding Office staff will then check availability and book your wedding date and time. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail with all of the details of your wedding ceremony.
It is important to book your wedding date and time as early as possible, as popular dates and times can book up quickly.
Choose a ceremony location within City Hall.
City Hall offers a variety of beautiful ceremony locations to choose from. The most popular location is the Rotunda, which is a large, open space with a high ceiling and marble walls. Other popular locations include the Mayor's Balcony, the Grand Staircase, and the North Light Court.
When choosing a ceremony location, it is important to consider the size of your guest list and the type of ceremony you would like. If you are having a large wedding, you may want to choose a larger location such as the Rotunda. If you are having a small wedding, you may prefer a more intimate location such as the Mayor's Balcony.
You can view photos of all of the ceremony locations on the City Hall website. Once you have chosen a location, you can book it by calling the City Hall Wedding Office at (415) 554-4090.
It is important to book your ceremony location as early as possible, as popular locations can book up quickly.
Select a civil official to perform the ceremony.
Once you have chosen a ceremony location, you will need to select a civil official to perform your ceremony. Civil officials are appointed by the Mayor of San Francisco to perform marriages. They are not clergy members, so they cannot perform religious ceremonies.
To find a civil official, you can visit the City Hall website or call the City Hall Wedding Office at (415) 554-4090. The Wedding Office staff can provide you with a list of available civil officials and their contact information.
When choosing a civil official, it is important to consider their personality and style. You want to choose someone who you feel comfortable with and who will make your ceremony special. You may also want to ask about their experience performing weddings.
Once you have chosen a civil official, you will need to contact them to schedule a meeting. At the meeting, you can discuss the details of your ceremony, such as the vows you will exchange and the type of music you would like to play.
Gather your witnesses and guests.
Once you have selected a civil official and booked your ceremony location, you will need to gather your witnesses and guests. California law requires that all marriages be witnessed by at least one witness who is over the age of 18. You may have as many witnesses as you like.
It is important to choose witnesses who are close to you and who will be able to support you on your wedding day. You may want to ask your parents, siblings, or friends to be your witnesses.
Once you have chosen your witnesses, you will need to provide them with the following information:
- Your wedding date and time
- Your ceremony location
- The name of the civil official who will be performing your ceremony
Your witnesses will need to be present at your ceremony and sign the marriage license. They will also be asked to provide their contact information so that they can be reached if needed.
Arrive at City Hall on time for your ceremony.
It is important to arrive at City Hall on time for your ceremony. The civil official will start the ceremony promptly at your scheduled time, so it is important to be there a few minutes early to get settled in.
- When you arrive at City Hall, go to the Wedding Office to check in.
The Wedding Office staff will give you a marriage license form to fill out and will direct you to your ceremony location.
- Once you are at your ceremony location, the civil official will begin the ceremony.
The ceremony will typically last about 15 minutes.
- After the ceremony, the civil official will sign the marriage license and give you a copy.
You will also receive a marriage certificate that you can frame and display in your home.
- Congratulations! You are now married!
Enjoy your special day.
If you are running late for your ceremony, please call the Wedding Office at (415) 554-4090. The Wedding Office staff will be able to help you reschedule your ceremony.
Exchange vows and rings.
One of the most important parts of the wedding ceremony is the exchange of vows. This is when you and your partner express your love and commitment to each other. Your vows can be traditional or personal, and they can be as long or as short as you like.
- When it is time to exchange vows, the civil official will ask you to face each other.
You will then take turns reading your vows to each other.
- After you have exchanged vows, the civil official will ask you to exchange rings.
Rings are a symbol of your love and commitment to each other.
- Once you have exchanged rings, the civil official will pronounce you married.
You are now husband and wife!
- Congratulations! You have just exchanged vows and rings.
This is a special moment that you will cherish for the rest of your lives.
If you are not sure what to say in your vows, you can find some examples online or in books. You can also write your own vows from scratch. The most important thing is to speak from the heart and to express your love and commitment to your partner.
Celebrate your marriage with photos and a reception.
After the ceremony, you and your guests can celebrate your marriage with photos and a reception. There are many beautiful locations around City Hall where you can take photos, such as the Grand Staircase, the Rotunda, and the North Light Court.
If you are having a reception, you can choose to have it at a restaurant, a hotel, or even at City Hall. There are several rooms at City Hall that can be rented for receptions, such as the Mayor's Balcony and the North Light Court.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, make sure to enjoy this special day with your family and friends. This is a day that you will cherish for the rest of your lives.
Here are some tips for planning your wedding reception:
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Choose a venue that is the right size for your guest list.
- Book your venue and vendors well in advance.
- Create a menu that includes a variety of food and drinks.
- Hire a photographer and/or videographer to capture the special moments of your day.
- Send out invitations to your guests at least 6 weeks before the wedding.
- Relax and enjoy your special day!
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about City Hall San Francisco weddings:
Question 1: How much does it cost to get married at City Hall?
Answer 1: The fee to obtain a marriage license in San Francisco is $90. The fee to book a wedding ceremony at City Hall is $110.
Question 2: What are the residency requirements for getting married at City Hall?
Answer 2: There are no residency requirements for getting married at City Hall.
Question 3: Can I get married at City Hall on the weekend?
Answer 3: Yes, you can get married at City Hall on the weekend. However, there is an additional fee of $100 for weekend ceremonies.
Question 4: What time can I get married at City Hall?
Answer 4: Wedding ceremonies are performed at City Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:30pm.
Question 5: How many guests can I have at my City Hall wedding?
Answer 5: The maximum number of guests allowed at a City Hall wedding is 6.
Question 6: Can I have a religious ceremony at City Hall?
Answer 6: No, religious ceremonies are not allowed at City Hall.
Question 7: Can I bring a photographer or videographer to my City Hall wedding?
Answer 7: Yes, you can bring a photographer and/or videographer to your City Hall wedding. However, they must be licensed and insured.
Question 8: Can I get married at City Hall if I am not a US citizen?
Answer 8: Yes, you can get married at City Hall if you are not a US citizen. However, you must have a valid passport and visa.
If you have any other questions about getting married at City Hall, please contact the City Hall Wedding Office at (415) 554-4090.
Now that you know all about the basics of getting married at City Hall, here are a few tips to help you plan your special day:
Tips
Here are a few practical tips to help you plan your City Hall San Francisco wedding:
Tip 1: Book your wedding date and time early.
Popular dates and times book up quickly, so it is important to book your wedding date and time as early as possible. You can book your wedding up to one year in advance.
Tip 2: Choose a ceremony location that is the right size for your guest list.
City Hall offers a variety of ceremony locations to choose from, ranging in size from small to large. When choosing a location, it is important to consider the number of guests you will have.
Tip 3: Arrive at City Hall on time for your ceremony.
The civil official will start the ceremony promptly at your scheduled time, so it is important to arrive at City Hall a few minutes early to get settled in.
Tip 4: Bring a photographer or videographer to capture the special moments of your day.
You may want to consider hiring a photographer or videographer to capture the special moments of your wedding day. However, it is important to note that photographers and videographers must be licensed and insured to work at City Hall.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your City Hall San Francisco wedding is a special and memorable day.
Congratulations on your decision to get married at City Hall San Francisco! We wish you all the best for a happy and lasting marriage.
Conclusion
Getting married at City Hall San Francisco is a popular and affordable option for couples looking for a beautiful and convenient wedding venue. With its stunning architecture, iconic location, and range of customizable options, City Hall provides a memorable and unique setting for your special day.
Here is a summary of the main points to keep in mind when planning a City Hall San Francisco wedding:
- Obtain a marriage license in advance.
- Book your wedding date and time.
- Choose a ceremony location within City Hall.
- Select a civil official to perform the ceremony.
- Gather your witnesses and guests.
- Arrive at City Hall on time for your ceremony.
- Exchange vows and rings.
- Celebrate your marriage with photos and a reception.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your City Hall San Francisco wedding is a special and memorable day. Congratulations on your decision to get married, and we wish you all the best for a happy and lasting marriage.