There is an underground parking garage (link to Google Maps) across the street that we have relied on for the last decade. Creating content is my passion! If youre on a tight budget, it would be better just to keep things simple and cut some events out. They are required to say certain words, but each one puts their own spin on it. Finely curated wine list, local artisan beers and a Victorian-era inspired cocktails list with a modern twist. They are open from 8 AM and they serve next level eggs benedict. Thank you! But our schedule does book rather quickly, so get in touch as soon as you can. If the language of your ID is not English, you will need to bring a certified translation. 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, Complete Guide to Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall in 2023, 27 best hotels to get ready at before your San Francisco City Hall wedding, Create the best timeline for your San Francisco City Hall wedding, Wayfare Tavern Weddings - Complete Guide (with photos! Your email address will not be published. But we promise that you will love and appreciate every word from your officiant. View on map: Starbelly, 3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, Type of cuisine: Californian Comfort Food, Private dining? One thing to be aware of is that this is a busy building. Wayfare Tavern, 558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111, Zazie, 941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117, Del Popolo, 855 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108, Palio, 640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111, R & G Lounge, 631 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108, The Cavalier, 360 Jessie St, San Francisco, CA 94103, Patio, 3232 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94123, Waterbar Restaurant, 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, https://www.properhotel.com/hotels/san-francisco/, San Francisco Proper, 45 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102, Kokkari Estiatorio, 200 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111, Stable Cafe, 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110, Harborview Restaurant & Bar, 4 Embarcadero Center, Street Level, San Francisco, CA 94111, Spruce, 3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118, Poesia, 4072 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, Absinthe Private Dining, 388 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102, 25 Lusk, 25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107, Starbelly, 3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, PIER 1 1/2 The Embarcadero N, San Francisco, CA 94105, E&O Kitchen and Bar, 314 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108, Foreign Cinema, 2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, Octavia, 1701 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94109, EPIC Steak, 369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, Zuni Cafe, 1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102. You can travel by cars or book a hassle-free guided tour via Get Your Guide or Viator. Planning a City Hall wedding is much less complex than planning a more traditional event. Previous. You need to bring your marriage license and your government-issued ID. Make your reservation on the City Hall appointment website here. If it has to be the same day (for example if youre from out of state and flying in very close to the wedding date) its recommended to schedule your appointment for at least 2 hours before your ceremony time. They have a dining room heated patio, and sidewalk seating; walk-ins welcome. There are a lot fewer moving parts than a regular wedding. If you are from out of town, schedule your marriage license appointment the day before the ceremony. I hope this was helpful and has given you some restaurant reception ideas. Surprisingly, December is one of the busiest months at City Hall. So a total of 8 people with bride, groom, photographer, and guests? The Mayors Balcony seats 40. Please note this number includes any children in your party, as well as photographers and videographers. This Chinese restaurant has a great private room, perfect for a small to medium San Francisco City Hall wedding reception of up to 35-40 people. Not sure what to do after your glam City Hall wedding ceremony and photoshoot? Im Zoe, a wedding photographer based in San Francisco! Elegant, with a contemporary and clean, black-and-white aesthetic. After the ceremony you will want to mill around hugging which is totally understandable. View on map: Octavia, 1701 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94109, Group reservations maximum: 46 seated or 60 standing, View on map: EPIC Steak, 369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, View on map: Zuni Cafe, 1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102. Private dining? Every judge says the same thing with only about 10% variation between each one. If you do book Friday, try and make it early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. In comparison to traditional weddings, anyway. Your page is extremely helpful. My fianc and I are planning on scheduling our civil marriage ceremony for 12/4/21. Or simply opt for cocktails and canapes at a lounge or bar that plays great music. Thats why we believe we are the best choice for your SF City Hall wedding. Peruvian cuisine is heavily influenced by the variety of ethnic backgrounds found throughout Peru so expert a diverse selection of delicious Peruvian-inspired food. As one of Northern California's most vibrant cultural cities, there are plenty of activities to enjoy if you want to see another side of the city, especially after the sun goes down. Because these kinds of ceremonies are so specialized and are unlike any other kind of wedding, so insider knowledge is key. Pin it on Pinterest! ), Stable Caf wedding photos & info (Mission District, San Francisco), 32 Best San Francisco Wedding Venues 2023 (by a wedding photographer). Andrea and the amazing team will take good care of you. The key advantage of planning a small City Hall wedding ceremony is having a plethora of options for lunch, dinner or cocktails. When you start thinking about your San Francisco City Hall wedding, it can feel like a lot to plan. Other crazy hectic months every year are the last 2 weeks of March, April, May, June, September, October and the last 2 weeks of November. Theres an indoor area also available as part of patio rentals. For more info, visit their website. The judges who volunteer as officiants love what they do. I just wanted to clarify the guest count. A South of France Brasserie atmosphere in an elegant dining room and bar, with Belle Epoque cafe defined in the front of the house by French rattan caf chairs, copper top tables, mosaic checkerboard tile floor, pressed tin ceiling, period art and original Absinthe posters. This can be obtained from any county in California and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. After party anyone? Reserve your appointment up to 90 days in advance. Photocopies are not acceptable. You will need to schedule both your marriage license appointment and your ceremony appointment. And to save a couple of hundred dollars, it would be a false economy. Rentals are available for private events 7 days a week through all service windows. ), and lots of delicious food. Here is a detailed plan for couples planning a City Hall wedding! This SF Engagement Session is a Romantic Daydream. Specializes in modern Californian fare with a French twist think pancakes, benedicts, salads and entrees. If youre looking for something closer to City Hall to cut down on travel time, I have compiled a list of wedding photo locations that arewithin 3 miles of City Hallfor added convenience. About ten minutes after your appointment time, the first public ceremony will begin. We recommend private dining areas at Absinthe and Proper Hotel which are within walking distance from City Hall or E & O Kitchen and Bar and Lazy Bear that are approximately 1.5 miles away. Schedule your Marriage License Appointment, Find Nearby Private Dining and Make a Reservation. If I am not booked for a post City Hall reception/dinner-type-thing, then we say our goodbyes, The next time you would hear from me is 3-5 weeks after the wedding date when I deliver a beautiful gallery of your images from your magical City Hall wedding! Im itching on 7 guest and crossing my fingers itll be possible. City Hall offers eveningand two-hour weddings, which aren't as popular as one-hour weddings. Hi! Harringtons is located at 245 Front St, San Francisco, CA 94111. Hearty meals for brunch 7 days a week, lunch and dinner served late, and perfect any time of the day. 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. You have fewer guests and the venue rental cost is a fraction of a typical wedding. Would you say the rules of 6 guests will still be relaxed in 2022? For this reason, I highly recommend logging on to the County Clerks website at midnight 90 days out so you can snag your desired date and timeslot. This can be very surprising because in the photos, we make it look like you had it to yourself, which isnt the case in reality. And Fermentation Lab is the perfect spot for a quick drink before going back to your hotel as it is open until midnight. Its just a short three or four block walk from San Francisco City Hall and they can pour a great Guinness, if thats your style. Morning weddings are much less crowded which is why we recommend booking a 9 AM wedding. You must present your wedding license at the time of the ceremony. There are many photographers around, but few who specialize in City Hall weddings. I highly recommend this spot! Looking for more San Francisco wedding venues? Yelp | Google. After that, you can enjoy a rejuvenating massage at the hotel spa or an invigorating swim at the pool. So why not organize a group visit, see an exhibition and then grab something to eat! Chill at your home or hotel, go on a hike, to a sports game, anything you want. Be prepared for your civil ceremony appointment with the following: Valid, authentic, legal government-issued photo identification for each person. Be it a One-hour Wedding on the Mayor's Balcony with stunning views of the Grand Staircase, or an Evening Wedding with dinner and dancing under the ornate dome of the Rotunda, you'll have . And I got to join her. Waterbar Restaurant This gorgeous bay front restaurant has a lovely upstairs room that's just for private events. Hi Zoe, thanks for providing all this great info! Here is a detailed plan for couples planning a City Hall wedding! If you are looking for affordable private accommodation options, look for properties located in Hayes Valley. However, you can exceed this number for a fee-per-guest. The beauty of this kind of wedding is that there is a step-by-step process to follow. Our next blog post will cover fun things to do after your San Francisco City Hall wedding, so look for that soon! Full buyout for 100 (spaces are separated), View on map:Palio, 640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111, Private dining? City Hall only allows six guests during the ceremony, so you could choose up to six of the closest people in your lives to attend the ceremony and then meet up with a larger group afterward. The Wayfare Tavern comes highly recommended and we've shot there numerous times, definitely more than any other San Francisco restaurant. They still had their same ceremony and met up with everyone for dinner afterward. Its hard to beat this gorgeous garden reception spot, with hanging plants, an indoor greenhouse, and more. Decide on type of marriage license For a public license: you need at least one witness at the ceremony is a public record For a confidential license: you must be living together Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Usually, youll need to sign a contract and put down a deposit of $750 by money order or cashiers check. A City Hall wedding ceremony lasts for one hour and you can choose time slots between 9 AM and 3 PM. The Looking Glass Room is smaller, seating up to 24 people seated. Zoes kindness and demeanor made us so comfortable allowing her to dictate our every pose, not to mention her AMAZING knowledge of the City Hall spaces, lighting, crowd movement, and architecture. A lunch or dinner reservation can determine this as well. My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. SF City Hall civil ceremonies are simple. 3. For your out of town guests, a trip to one of San Franciscos amazing museums is a must. If youre not a morning person or want to go straight to dinner, the last ceremony slot is worth considering. Yes, seats up to 60 or 100 standing. The Stable Caf is located at 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110. Even fewer that make images that are authentic, modern yet timeless, fresh, and full of life. I would be honored to be your SF City Hall wedding photographer. Some states mark the middle name with the initial. 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. 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. And this is the typical goal for couples: simplicity. For every ceremony that we attend, we obviously are there as the wedding photographer. And mind you, this is all BEFORE the ceremony began!Once the ceremony began, Zoe turned into our ceremony director, which we didnt know was going to happen. The only fashion style to avoid is anything too casual. A City Hall wedding is one in which efficiency is prioritized over personalization. Instead, you would have more time given over for romantic portraits, the ceremony and for the group photos if you have more people. In the end, they had 40 guests. Like this Blog Post? There are, of course, fun museums even kids will adore such as Museum of 3D Illusions, Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences. You should provide your own officiant for private ceremonies. Can we schedule the Marriage License appointment the same week as our Civil Ceremony Appointment? There are private dining options available nearby or a short distance away. Theres also plenty that happens that might be off-script, that we cant predict or control for. Follow along the blog and Insta! The Stable Caf is located at 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110. Especially if you choose a picturesque location that is a short drive away from your City Hall wedding ceremony venue and hotel. 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. Hiring Zoe was the best investment of our wedding. Required fields are marked *. Hi Celia! A walk-in restaurant, or reserve a table up to 1 month in advance, A casual, bustling cafe vibe with lots of white walls and exposed brickwork, Award-winning food and great location within a short walk of San Francisco City Hall. She shot both the City Hall ceremony and our reception. Many beautiful private and semi-private areas, including the lovely patio with views of San Francisco Bay and Treasure Island, which seats 100 guests. Youll then submit the contract to room 495. Enjoy tantalizing amuse-bouches, incredible wood-fired pizza and a great wine selection. It can be easy to miss. Of course, you can indulge superb food at a fine dining restaurant nearby. Keep in mind that personal vows are not permitted, due to the simplified nature of a civil ceremony. Civil ceremonies usually take place in the area at the top of the Grand Staircase known as the Rotunda. The Wayfare Tavern comes highly recommended and weve shot there numerous times, definitely more than any other San Francisco restaurant. 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. City Hall will allow you to schedule for 30 minutes out, but this is a recipe for HUGE stress, as appointments frequently run 30 60 minutes late, and you need to check in for your Civil Ceremony 15 minutes before the booked time, anyway. Stately elegance and exquisite architectural design make San Francisco City Hall a perfect venue for celebrating the most important occasions. Octavia is the second restaurant from acclaimed chef Melissa Perello. The 23 restaurants on my list all serve excellent food and will take great care of you. On Thursdays, the weekend rush starts to pick up. The Garden area at the back is where its at! This article however goes into more of the nuance of how it actually works and what Im allowed to say publicly: https://zoelarkin.com/sf-city-hall-pandemic-wedding-updates/, 12 Comments on Complete Guide to Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall in 2023, Your email address will not be published. What should we wear for our San Francisco City Hall, Tips for getting married in San Francisco City Hall, Pick the right day and timeslot that works for you, Carve out some time when its just the two of you, Choosing a San Francisco City Hall photographer, Book your appointment with City Hall for your ceremony, San Francisco City Hall Events Page One-Hour Weddings, San Francisco City Hall Events Page Two Hour Weddings, All of my City Hall informative blog posts. Weddings. Book an experienced San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer that you can rely on! Choice of 4 different private dining areas that can be combined for larger groups, with the smallest private dining experience for 15 guests. Thanks for sharing! So far, everything weve described about the day sounds so formal. [Updated for 2020! But if you have 6 (or more) guests, they can be slower to move out of the way for the next couple, which slows everyone down. For more info, visit their website. Wedding photographers book up to 18 months out so the sooner the better after youre confirmed with City Hall. The final payment must be made within 5 days of the reservation date. Weve written about this, with restaurants that we personally recommend. 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. In comparison to traditional weddings, anyway. Enjoy enjoy! The same goes for my expert team of associate photographers. Proper hosts a variety of bars and restaurants under one roof or on the rooftop! It is such a quiet space, far from the busy Rotunda and the popular Mayor's Balcony. Private rental options include the intimate Pearl Room for 10-14 seated guests, with a range of spaces up to an entire restaurant buyout for 250 guests. As a busy metropolitan hub, getting married in the Bay Area can be much more costly than in a rural area. Do we need to have an appointment to turn the contract in? 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. And when the formalities are over, everyone will be in the mood for a delicious brunch! Showcasing seasonal ingredients from the regions best farms, Octavias menu is a celebration of local agriculture in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. As one of San Francisco's most well known symbols, the cable car holds a special place in every San Franciscan's heart. Officially, a maximum of 6 guests are permitted to attend your San Francisco City Hall Civil Ceremony. If thats the case, bring a passport or birth certificate too. 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 . There are three different areas for private / semi-private dining: the Chefs Table, the Oenos Room and the Hania Room. But if you want to see world-class art, then visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), Legion of Honor and de Young Museum. A grand jury has voted not to indict eight Ohio police officers who fired 94 rounds at Jayland Walker after a car and foot chase that ended in the 25-year-old Black man being shot to death last summer. If you did want to have your friends and family attend the ceremony, you could book a 1-hour time slot which can be booked much farther in advance (but also only Monday through Friday). A snap by the famous big window is a must-have. Its located on McAllister St, adjacent to Civic Center Plaza. If you are up for some wine tasting, you can visit some of Californias famous vineyards in Sonoma or Napa Valley. Glad its been helpful. Located in the heart of the Financial District, Zazie has been around for almost 30 years and is a Cole Valley favorite. 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/. Private dining? The first step is to decide where you want to celebrate your nuptials after the ceremony. The two classy teal and blue-colored bar areas and high-ceilinged dining room make you feel like youre somewhere on Miami Beach. Union Square with its impressive architecture and the iconic Powell Street! 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. There are so many options and ideas to add on to the basics! 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. I personally favor something elegant but modern jumpsuits, vests, fascinators, bustiers, bow ties, smoking jackets, tweed, fur, velvet or lace. So if you live in California, its easiest to pick this up from your local county. If your marriage license appointment is the same day as the ceremony, you still need to be early. Just like a big wedding, you should start with a guest list since that can dictate everything else. Theyre big on seasonal cuisine, and craft custom seasonal menus for each buyout event, Octavia has an incredibly inventive menu, with and is very contemporary and hip in its vision and aesthetic, Elegant, refined, hipster, minimalist and highly awarded. You can add a musician and florals on plinths, both of which elevate the event tremendously. Do we receive the Marriage License the same day as the appointment? Lots of layers arent required unless theyre part of your look (layers like ruffles and a range of textures photograph really well, but you wont need a warm jacket that youll just remove instantly and then have to carry around!). If you want to have a courthouse wedding in San Francisco, theres only one place to do it: San Francisco City Hall. Thank you so much! For civil ceremonies, 3 months is all you need to pull it all together. 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.
what to do after sf city hall wedding