Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall: A Local’s Complete Guide

Last updated: February 2026

TL;DR: San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful (and affordable) places to get married in America. A civil ceremony costs just $111, the Beaux-Arts architecture is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and you don’t need to be a California resident. I got married here — here’s everything I wish I’d known, plus a step-by-step guide to planning your own City Hall wedding.

I got married at San Francisco City Hall in 2016, and it remains one of the best decisions we made. Not “best decision for our budget” (though yes, that too) — best decision, period. The building is so stunning that our photos look like they were taken in a European palace, the ceremony was intimate and personal, and we were done in time for a long, celebratory lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.

If you’re considering a City Hall wedding, I’m going to walk you through everything — the booking process, what it actually costs, the best photo spots, and the little things nobody tells you.

Why Get Married at SF City Hall?

Let me paint the picture: San Francisco City Hall was modeled after the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. The dome rises 307 feet — taller than the U.S. Capitol dome. The grand staircase, the marble floors, the ornate Beaux-Arts detailing, the golden light pouring through the windows — it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country. And you can get married there for $111.

You don’t need to be a San Francisco resident. You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen. You don’t need a blood test. There’s no waiting period. You can literally fly in, get your license, get married, and be at lunch within a few hours.

The average American wedding costs around $35,000. Ours? All in — ceremony, license, photographer, flowers, lunch — we spent under $2,000. And honestly, looking at the photos, you’d never know.

The Two Types of City Hall Weddings

Option 1: Civil Ceremony (What We Did)

This is the standard courthouse wedding. A Deputy Marriage Commissioner performs a short ceremony (about 3-6 minutes) in the rotunda area. It’s simple, official, and surprisingly emotional.

Cost: $111 for the ceremony + $127 for the marriage license = $238 total to be legally married

Guest limit: Currently 6 guests maximum (strictly enforced — this includes your photographer, videographer, children, everyone). When I got married in 2016, the limit was 8, and I remember stressing about it — though I later noticed plenty of couples with larger groups and nobody seemed to enforce it very strictly. These days, they appear to be more firm about the 6-person cap, so plan accordingly.

Availability: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, every half hour.

Option 2: Private Ceremony (For Bigger Weddings)

If you want more guests, your own officiant, or a reserved space, City Hall offers private event rentals:

• One-hour weekday ceremony: $1,200 (up to 100 guests, Mayor’s Balcony or 4th Floor Gallery)
• Two-hour Saturday ceremony: $6,000 (up to 200 guests, Grand Staircase rotunda area)
• Evening buyout: $12,000-$32,500 (up to 3,000 guests for galas/receptions)

For most couples doing an intimate wedding, the civil ceremony is the way to go. Save the money and spend it on an amazing meal after.

Step-by-Step: How to Plan Your City Hall Wedding

Step 1: Book Your Ceremony Appointment

This is the most important step, and you need to be strategic about it.

Appointments open 90 days in advance at exactly 9:00 AM PST. About 100 slots are released each opening date, and popular days (especially Fridays) fill up fast. Set an alarm. Be at your computer. Book through the County Clerk’s online scheduling portal.

Pro tip: Book the ceremony appointment FIRST, then book your marriage license appointment. Ceremony slots are much scarcer.

Step 2: Get Your Marriage License

You’ll need a separate appointment at the County Clerk’s Office (Room 160 in City Hall). Both partners must appear in person with:

• Unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID)
• Foreign passports are accepted — no U.S. residency required
• If previously married: certified divorce decree or annulment

Cost: $127 (2% surcharge for credit/debit cards)

No blood test required. No waiting period. Your license is valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in California. You can even get the license and get married the same day if you book both appointments.

Step 3: The Big Day

Here’s what our day actually looked like (the honest version):

I got ready at home and was running late — classic. I asked my in-laws to stall my parents at City Hall, which caused some tension (sorry about that). My brother-in-law’s then-girlfriend ended up helping me with my hair, which was actually really sweet and one of those unplanned moments that made the day feel real. If I could do it differently, I’d have given myself more time to get ready. But also — it’s your wedding day, what can you do.

We checked in at the County Clerk’s Office and handled the paperwork. Then we headed to the rotunda for the ceremony. The Deputy Marriage Commissioner confirmed our names, we exchanged rings, said “I do,” and that was it — married. The whole thing took about 5 minutes.

One thing that surprised me: there were other couples getting married at the same time, and rather than feeling chaotic, it was actually really sweet. There’s this shared energy in the building — everyone’s happy, everyone’s celebrating. We didn’t feel rushed at all. After the ceremony, we were able to take our time exchanging gifts with each other and spending about 45 minutes taking photos around the building. Our photographer knew all the best spots — the grand staircase, the 4th floor gallery (we got incredibly lucky that it was empty when we went up there), and the rotunda. The light in that building is unreal.

Then we walked to Cotogna in Jackson Square for a long, celebratory lunch with our families. One minor challenge: my brother-in-law and his girlfriend were vegetarian (later vegan), and Cotogna’s Italian menu is pretty meat-and-cheese-heavy. They made it work, but if you have dietary restrictions in your group, it’s worth checking menus in advance. That said — perfect day.

Step 4: After the Ceremony

The County Clerk keeps your signed license for filing. You can order certified copies ($19 each) — get several for name changes, insurance, etc. A souvenir certificate (non-legal, but pretty) is $9.

What It Actually Costs: Our Real Budget

Here’s the part that shocks people. Our total spend for the entire wedding including hosting our families for the trip was about $5,000. That covered everything — the wedding itself, hotel rooms for family at the Hilton San Francisco FiDi, car rentals for the Muir Woods trip, lunch for everyone at Cotogna, photographer, flowers, all of it.

Here’s the wedding-specific breakdown from 2016:

And the family hosting costs:

Compare that to the average American wedding: $35,000. We got married in one of the most beautiful buildings in the country, took our families to Muir Woods, had a gorgeous lunch in one of SF’s best restaurants, and spent a tenth of what most couples spend.

What this would cost in 2026:

If you did what we did — hosted family for a few nights and made it a whole trip — budget $6,000-8,000 total in 2026 dollars. Still a fraction of the $35,000+ average American wedding.

The biggest expenses were actually the family hotel stays and the celebratory lunch — not the wedding itself. The photographer was absolutely worth every penny too. Those photos are some of my most treasured possessions. In 2016, we paid $800 through Beauty and the Cutie — rates for City Hall specialist photographers now typically range from $500 for a 30-minute session to $2,500+ for multi-hour coverage with multiple locations. Many photographers offer City Hall-specific packages since it’s such a popular venue.

Finding vendors: There’s an active Facebook group for SF City Hall wedding vendor recommendations where couples share photographers, florists, hair/makeup artists, and officiant recommendations. It’s a great place to ask questions and see real reviews from people who’ve done it.

The Whole Foods Bouquet Hack

OK, this is my favorite tip. I got my wedding bouquet made at the Whole Foods on California Street for $50. I went in, picked out the flowers I wanted (white roses, hydrangeas, and a few accent flowers), and their floral department arranged them into a beautiful bouquet. Was it a “real” wedding bouquet from a florist? Technically no. Could you tell from the photos? Absolutely not.

If you want something simple and beautiful without spending $200+ on a florist, walk into any Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s with a good floral section, pick what you like, and ask them to wrap it. Done.

Best Photo Spots Inside City Hall

The building is essentially a photography studio with natural light pouring in from every direction. Here are the spots your photographer will want to hit:

1. The Grand Staircase — The most iconic shot. Best from above, looking down. Aim for early morning (9:00-10:00 AM) for the fewest other wedding parties in the background.

2. The 4th Floor Gallery — This is where we got some of our best photos. The light up there is incredibly soft and warm, and the ornate balcony with the dome behind you is stunning. We got lucky that it was empty — sometimes it’s not.

3. The Rotunda Floor — Standing in the center of the rotunda, looking up at the dome. The scale of the building really comes through in these shots.

4. Mayor’s Balcony — Faces the Grand Staircase. Great for couple portraits.

5. Exterior Steps — Good for group photos and for showing the building’s impressive facade.

Budget about 45 minutes for photos if you’re doing a civil ceremony. Your photographer counts toward the 6-guest limit, so plan accordingly.

Practical Tips From Someone Who Did It

Booking:
– Set an alarm for 9:00 AM PST exactly 90 days before your ideal date. Slots go fast.
– Tuesday and Wednesday have the least competition. Fridays are hardest to get.
– Book the ceremony first, then the license.

Day-of:
– Arrive 15 minutes early.
– Bring your IDs and any required documents.
– The ceremony is short (3-6 minutes). It goes by in a flash — be present.
– You cannot customize the vows during the civil ceremony. If you want to say your own vows, find a quiet spot in the building afterward and do it privately. Many couples do this.

Guests:
– Currently limited to 6 people (including photographer). Plan your guest list carefully.
– Designate one guest as your “human traffic cone” — someone to help hold a spot on the staircase for photos and manage logistics.

What to wear:
– There’s no dress code. I’ve seen everything from jeans to full ball gowns.
– Comfortable shoes are a must — you’ll be walking on marble floors and climbing stairs.
– The building photographs best with simpler outfits that don’t compete with the architecture.

Timing:
– Early morning (9:00-10:30 AM) has the fewest crowds and the softest light.
– Midday (11 AM-2 PM) is peak — the most weddings happening simultaneously and the most tourists.
– Avoid days when the Board of Supervisors is in session (typically Tuesdays) if you want quieter hallways.

After the ceremony:
– Walk to Hayes Valley (15 min) or take a short ride to North Beach/Jackson Square for a celebratory meal. We went to Cotogna and it was perfect.
– Other great options: Zuni Cafe, Rich Table, Nopa, or any of the best restaurants in SF.
– Some couples do a larger celebration dinner or party on a separate day — City Hall for the legal part, then a real reception with all your friends later.
– We made it a whole trip with our families — the day before the wedding, we took everyone to Muir Woods, which was a perfect way to show off the Bay Area and spend quality time together before the big day. Highly recommend if your family is coming from out of town.

Getting There

Address: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102

Transit: Civic Center BART station is a 2-minute walk. Muni lines F, J, K, L, M, N, and T all stop nearby.

Parking: Civic Center Underground Garage (McAllister & Polk) or Performing Arts Garage (Grove & Franklin). But honestly, take a Waymo or rideshare — parking in Civic Center is stressful, and you don’t want to start your wedding day circling the block.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Closed on public holidays.

FAQ: Getting Married at San Francisco City Hall

How much does it cost to get married at San Francisco City Hall?
The minimum is $238 — that’s $127 for the marriage license and $111 for the civil ceremony. If you add a photographer ($500-2,500 for a City Hall specialist), flowers ($30-80 DIY or $200-500 from a florist), and a celebratory meal, a complete City Hall wedding typically costs $1,500-4,000 total — a fraction of the average American wedding ($35,000).

Do I need to be a San Francisco resident to get married at City Hall?
No. Anyone can get married at SF City Hall regardless of where they live. You don’t need to be a California resident or even a U.S. citizen. Foreign passports are accepted as valid ID.

How far in advance should I book?
Appointments open 90 days in advance at 9:00 AM PST. Set an alarm and book immediately when slots open — popular dates (especially Fridays) sell out within minutes.

How many guests can I bring to a civil ceremony?
Currently 6 guests maximum, strictly enforced. This includes your photographer, videographer, and children — everyone counts. If you need more guests, consider the one-hour private ceremony option ($1,200 for up to 100 guests).

Can I write my own vows?
Not during the official civil ceremony — the Deputy Marriage Commissioner uses standard courthouse vows. But many couples find a quiet spot in City Hall to exchange personal vows privately before or after the ceremony.

Is a City Hall wedding worth it?
I’m completely biased, but yes. The building is stunning, the process is simple, and the photos are gorgeous. We spent under $2,000 total and our wedding day was intimate, stress-free, and exactly what we wanted. If you’re the kind of person who values the experience over the production, you’ll love it.