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

By Andrew Snyder


Most couples have a ceremony of some kind when they get married. It can be an elaborate affair with hundreds of guests, an orchestra, and an expensive reception. Others opt for the most economical service they can manage with just a handful of friends and family. If you want a great, affordable experience, and trick your guests at the same time, you can invite everyone to join you at your San Francisco city hall wedding.

This building is one of the most iconic and photographed monuments in San Francisco. You can actually be married there for as little as a thousand dollars. This amount will get you a one hour ceremony conducted on the fourth floor gallery or on the Mayor's Balcony. There is seating for sixty guests. Since you only have one hour, the reception will have to be held elsewhere.

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.

If you want to splurge, you can choose an evening wedding. Once again, the Grand Staircase is the sight of the wedding vows. You may have a cocktail reception in the North Light Court with formal dining, and dancing after, in the Rotunda. Weddings may take place during the week or on a weekend. You will have access to the venue for up to twelve hours.

These packages do not include everything. When you meet with the events coordinator, you should go over what is covered in the basic package, and what you will be expected to provide. The building has a limited amount of equipment and chairs for instance. Most couples contract with an independent vendor to provide the equipment they need.

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.

When you discuss packages with the event coordinator, you will probably receive a list of rules and regulations. Items that are not allowed will be high on the list. These include fireworks, snow and smoke machines, confetti, helium balloons, and smoking. If you want to raise a sign or banner, or install lighting, on the building's exterior, the city engineer must supervise it.

San Francisco is a beautiful place, and city hall is one of its most beautiful buildings. It is considered an excellent example of American Renaissance architecture. Getting married there will be an experience you can relate to generations to come.




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