San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photography Package

 

I believe San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful places to get married. I also realize that everyone needs a good photographer for their wedding. If you are planning to have a short weekday (Monday - Friday) Civil Ceremony in San Francisco City Hall (or other place around Bay Area) and need a photographer for few hours: I have a package tailored just for that.

This simple package includes (printable & copyright release) high resolution files for $1195 with two hours of coverage. Edited images will be uploaded into a password protected online gallery for your family and friends to view and for you to download. In addition, we can design an album for you ($995 incl. 10"x10" size / 10 spreads - 20 sides) or web slideshow such as the one shown above.

Package includes coverage by one photographer of the Civil Ceremony at the City Hall and one additional location (your choice) around San Francisco before or after the ceremony. There will be no limit of photos taken during the coverage time. Additional coverage billed at $500/Hr.

Of course it’s not just City Hall. There are plenty of inspiring places such as the Japanese Tea Gardens, Conservatory of Flowers, Shakespeare Gardens, etc., around the city. I should not forget to mention the Wine County which I can cover as part of this package. I will be happy to talk with you about the details of your day, and can even recommend an officiant, florist or makeup artist or transportation if you’d like. All bookings are subject to availability. If I book a full wedding on your date, I will send an associate photographer at no additional cost.

 

 

I offer this package so you can thrill to the knowledge that your lifetime memories will be some of the most beautiful anywhere. After all, you can have the most expensive wedding ceremony in the world, but an amateur photographer will not capture its beauty. A good photographer will make the simplest setting vibrate with life.

I photograph weddings exclusively in many destinations throughout the country and sometimes worldwide (please take a look at this destination wedding photography page). However, I want very much to make myself available to wedding ceremonies in my local community. Please visit my main portfolio page or blog to see much more of my work.

Note: I do not offer a free consultation with this package. I believe my work and customer reviews speak for themselves. To retain my services I offer convenient and secure online payment tools. Sales tax, parking ($6-$9) and applicable travel fee (beyond 50 miles) will be applied on top of the total price. Final balance is due on the day of the wedding.

 

 

Suggestions:

I recommend getting your marriage license on a different day then your actual ceremony if possible. Sometimes it might take 20-30 minutes or more before you get a chance to sign it. Especially on Fridays.

SF City Hall does not allow Civil Ceremony reservations beyond 90 days in advance so those who are planning on popular dates such as 10/10/10, 08/09/10, long weekend dates, etc., I suggest to reserve your ceremony time immediately 90 days prior. If photography is on your priority list, I suggest calling us for even before finalizing it with the City Hall.

If City Hall already booked for the date you prefer to get married, you can always hire an independent wedding officiant who can perform (and even customize) your Ceremony. You won't have to check in with the County Clerk office and officiant will file all the paperwork on your behalf.

If you are planning the wedding from across the world (I had couples traveling to get married here as far as from New Zealand), all you need is valid passports and they will marry you. I can even be your witness.

Best time for the Ceremony is around noon as City Hall generally less crowded this time of the day, waiting is shorter and it is easier to get panoramic photos without tourists in it.

If you are planning a larger number of guests to attend, I'd suggest having a ceremony at the 4th floor. It's amazingly well lit area and usually very quiet. See #4 in picture below. However, there is a significant fee involved.

And finally if you're planning a dinner reception afterwards, 3PM will be the best time to start.

See picture below: 1, 2, 3, 4 are places inside City Hall where ceremony can take place. #1 is (Rotunda) the most popular. This shot taken from Mayor's Balcony.

 

Please take a look at the sample highlight Super8 movie made by IQ Videography Team. We offer combined Photo+Cinematography package at $2390. Cinematography package includes highlights movie (sample below) and Raw Footage on DVD.

 

Q: Will 2 hours of coverage be enough?
A: Majority of my clients fit within two hours. Unless you are planning to travel around the city for multiple locations or would want bridal preparations or dinner reception covered you will fit within two hours.

Q: We have more then six guests, will this be a problem getting a Rotunda Ceremony?
A: Even though City Hall website states six guests is a limit for Rotunda Ceremony, I've witnessed many Ceremonies with over 30 guests attending inside the Rotunda with no restrictions. The only day I recall we weren't able to get the Rotunda, was 08/08/08. Still don't take my word for it and make sure to verify that City hall doesn't hold assembly meeting on your date as there may be large group of people gathering around the Rotunda. SF Assembly chamber located right behind it.

Q: How crowded City Hall can be?
A: On Fridays afternoon City Hall is usually more crowded the on other weekdays. If you want to enjoy empty City Hall, schedule your Ceremony for 9:30AM on Monday or Tuesday. City Hall is fairly empty around lunch break as well.

Q: Will photos be edited?
A: Yes. Basic editing included. Color correction, exposure, contrast and white balance. Some photos may be converted to BW if requested in advance. We also offer fine art editing a-la-carte.

Q: Can you be our witness?
A: Yes. I'd love to.

Q: Can we print the images?
A: Yes. As long it is for personal (non commercial use).

Q: Where should we go for our second location?
A: San Francisco is a beautiful city with plenty of places to visit. Palace of Fine Arts, Legion of Honor, Crissy Field, Fort Mason, Golden gate Park, Baker's Beach, Japanese Tea Gardens are just few of them. Even City Hall by itself is so magnificent, two hours can be easily spent there.

Q: Can San Francisco Mayor perform our Ceremony?
A: Yes. But his schedule is very tight.

Q: Can we split the coverage and have you photograph our dinner reception in the evening?
A: Yes. You can split the time with minimum of three hours of coverage. Ex: Two hours during the day to cover the Ceremony and additional location for portraits and one hour to cover the reception.

Q: How do we get the photos?
A: You will have 30 days to download them from secure online gallery. You will be responsible to back them up. We recommend making multiple copies on a DVDs and hard drives. We are not going to delete the photos but can not be responsible for the them after 30 days.

Q: Do you provide transportation?
A: Yes, you can drive with me.

Q: Can we see some feedbacks from people who had experience with your City Hall package?
A: Yes, please take a look at this page.

 

 

 

 

Reception Ideas:

If you are planning a small reception after the civil ceremony, my suggestion would be scheduling a ceremony for 3PM. At around 4PM you will be already married with all the group shots and City Hall portraits behind you. At this time your guests can head towards the restaurant in provided transportation (cable car or limo bus). Having a cocktail hour starting around 5PM is a good idea as guests can enjoy hor devours while you finish up the photo session. You will be back at 5:30PM to continue the celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

Some recognitions we've received in the recent years.