A San Francisco City Hall Wedding Will Be Something You Remember Forever

By Andrew Snyder


You and your partner have a lot of decisions to make when you start planning your nuptials. You may be looking at something simple and economical or an all out bash with no expense spared. It might be fun to tell your guests you are going to the courthouse to have a San Francisco city hall wedding. They will be in for a shock if they thought you meant a quick service in a sterile office conducted by a local judge.

If you are not familiar with this building, you will be surprised and pleased to learn that it is an iconic structure, frequently photographed and well known throughout the architectural world. You can choose a simple ceremony that takes place either on the Mayor's Balcony or in the Gallery located on the fourth floor. There is seating for a maximum of sixty guests. The basic package for this one hour service costs one thousand dollars.

When you have something more elaborate in mind, and are planning to invite a lot more guests, you might choose the two hour ceremony. These ceremonies take place on the Rotunda's Grand Staircase. The area will seat approximately two hundred guests. The basic cost is five thousand dollars and, in addition to the venue, you have basic services, chairs, and insurance included.

A really great option, and one that is extremely popular, is the evening ceremony. Vows are taken on the Grand Staircase. Your guests can enjoy a cocktail reception in the North Light Court, and then dine and dance in style in the nineteenth century Rotunda. Services are held on weekends and all throughout the week. You will be able to set up beginning at two in the afternoon and must have everything out of the building by two the next morning.

When you purchase one of these packages, you need to be aware of what is, and what is not, included. The events coordinator will meet with you to discuss exactly what you have in mind. The building staff are limited in what number of chairs and other equipment they can offer couples. Contracting with an outside vendor is usually the best idea.

The packages do not come with marriage certificates or licenses. For those you will have to go to the Clerk of the Court's office. Packages are not inclusive of a person to officiate at the ceremony. If you don't have a preference, contacting the city or the Clerk's office is recommended.

There are a number of rules and regulations you will have to adhere to if you are planning a ceremony in this building. Smoking is not allowed, and you can't have helium balloons. No fireworks, confetti, smoke or snow machines are allowed. No signs, banners, or lights can be affixed to the outside of the building without the supervision of the city engineer.

This is not what people think of when they imagine city hall weddings. Instead of an austere affair consisting of you, a judge, and a witness, you can have a lavish and memorable ceremony in a beautiful American Renaissance atmosphere. It will surely be a once in a lifetime experience.




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