San Francisco City Hall is one of the most honest places to get married. There are no giant ballrooms, no ten-hour timelines, no stages to perform on. It is just you, your partner, a few people who love you, and the decision you are making together. That simplicity is what makes City Hall so powerful.
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I have photographed hundreds of City Hall weddings, and every time I walk into that building, I feel something in my chest. The light, the architecture, the quiet moments on the stairs, the way sound echoes through the halls. But the truth is, none of that matters as much as the two of you and what you are choosing that day.
I am not here to turn your City Hall wedding into something it is not. I am not here to direct you into poses that don’t feel like you. What I care about is the real connection between you. The way you look at each other before the ceremony. The nervous breath you take before your name is called. The softness in your shoulders when you realize how deeply you love the person standing in front of you.
I know how fragile relationships can be. I know how much attention they require, how much presence, how much courage. I know what it feels like to lose connection, and I know what it feels like to hold someone with your whole life. That understanding is part of how I photograph now. I try to see you the way you see each other at your best.
When we walk through City Hall together, I pay attention to the moments you might miss. The hand you place on your partner’s back. The way you lean in without thinking. The tiny flashes of emotion that appear and disappear in seconds. These are the photographs that matter years from now. These are the images that remind you who you are together.
I am not the perfect photographer. I am not the best in San Francisco. I am someone who cares deeply about love, about presence, about truth. If you want honest portraits of your City Hall wedding, if you want images that carry your real connection rather than a performance of it, I would be honored to walk through that building with you.
Because City Hall is not just paperwork.
It is a doorway.
And the life you are stepping into deserves to be remembered with your whole heart.
1 - $795 - Rotunda Ceremony & formal photos, one staircase photo. 30 minutes. Asscoiate photographer or Joseph Kohn.
2 - $1,395 - Ceremony, portraits, family photos, candid moments. Approximately one hour. Associate photographer or Joseph Kohn.
3 - $2,395 - Ceremony, portraits, creative art, optional lighting, candid moments, family photos. Approximately 2 hours. Photography by Joseph Kohn.
4 - $3,595 - Similar to package 3 but with multiple locations, dinner, lunch, bridal preparations, etc., Approximately 4 hours. Photography by Joseph Kohn.
How to obtain a marriage license FAQ
The Rotunda, nestled in the heart of San Francisco City Hall and situated just above the grand staircase, is the central hub for most public San Francisco Courthouse wedding ceremonies. The remarkable photo opportunities available in this iconic location are truly spectacular!
Coolest perks? It is filled with soft light plus there are beautiful crystal chandeliers. It is standing right opposite the Mayor’s Balcony which means that great photo backdrops are guaranteed.
The Mayor's Balcony is an exceptional viewpoint for capturing stunning photos within San Francisco City Hall, and it's no wonder wedding photographers absolutely adore it! By renting Mayor's balcony, you'll be treated to magnificent views of the intricate marble walls and the impressive grand staircase.
Undeniably, the Mayor's Balcony provides some of the most elegant backdrops for couples' photographs. Its standout feature, the iconic golden railings, adds a touch of sophistication that can truly elevate your wedding photos.
The 4th Floor Galleries are a visual delight, boasting a gentle color palette of ivory, white, and grey. Enhance this picturesque setting by incorporating vibrant colors with striking bouquets, floral arrangements, and bridesmaid dresses to create eye-catching contrasts. The spacious galleries can comfortably accommodate large wedding parties, and yes, the area is available for rent. By doing so, you can fully personalize your ceremony, hire your own officiant, exchange custom vows, arrange seating, and even bring in musicians.
The galleries can easily seat 60 guests, with chairs arranged to form a natural aisle for your grand entrance. There is also plenty of space for live musicians, a small table for cupcakes, champagne, and wedding gifts, and more. The North gallery is typically preferred over the South, as it offers softer lighting for your special day.
The grand marble staircase, undeniably the centerpiece of San Francisco City Hall, is also its most frequently photographed element. Its remarkable beauty will captivate you from the moment you enter the building. Radiating majestic elegance and enduring sophistication, this architectural gem is often likened to the iconic staircase at the Opera de Paris.
A skilled San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer can masterfully capture stunning shots, even when other people are present in the background, ensuring that your memories of this extraordinary location are treasured forever.
Compared to Grand Staircase and The Rotunda, South and North sides of the 4th floor, The 3rd floor is probably the most peaceful area in the building an excellent place to escape the crowds and busy areas (especially during City Hall events) and to get awesome portraits by the famous window.
Trained in Paris at the famed Ecole de Beaux-Arts, Arthur Brown Jr has designed San Francisco City Hall meticulously and with incredible attention to detail. One of the most striking features is the main entrance itself. Bedecked with intricate ornaments in gilded bronze, the iconic "City Hall" signage makes one of the most recognizable photo backdrops.
After your online reservation and during your booked time slot, you are allowed to take your wedding photographer near the the County Clerk Office.
This space may seem un-photogenic to an inexperienced wedding photographer. However, a professional photographer who has photographed hundreds of weddings there will know exactly which moments to capture during the wait time before the marriage license appointment..
City Hall elevators are exuding luxury and romance of bygone eras. Even the marble hallway with gleaming silver elevator doors looks gorgeous!
But the best photos can be made while the doors are open and the bride and/or groom are standing inside. We always try getting a shot inside these beautiful time capsules assuming we are alone.
A unique example of Beaux-Arts architecture, San Francisco City Hall comprises acres of pearly white marble and elegant gilded bronze. Beauty is everywhere you look and natural light is filling the entire building.
Most of it is coming from numerous skylights. Stemming from the ceilings, the sun rays are spreading around and filling even the long hallways. On a sunny day, every corner is drenched in sunlight.
And when it is cloudy or foggy outside, crisp white surfaces are still bright. Ornate walls are constantly contrasted with bold shadows. This juxtaposition always creates awe-inspiring backdrops for your wedding photography.
Check Our Palace of Fine Arts page too or....
Some alternative locations to City Hall to consider in the midst of the Corona Virus.
Clients who wish to have their ceremony appointment and marriage license signing photographed often opt for either a one or two-hour package. The initial hour is devoted to candid shots before the private ceremony, coverage of the actual wedding,
group and formal photos afterward, and a selection of posed or semi-posed images of the couple throughout the building. This results in a beautiful documentation of the essential parts of your special day.
While we can capture plenty of memorable moments within the first hour, a second hour allows for a greater number of candid (or posed) photographs. Longer packages enable us not only to photograph essential aspects like the marriage license and ceremony but also to explore more locations, utilize natural light better, access previously unavailable areas, and enjoy increased flexibility. In essence, the more time we have, the more diverse the images will be.
Many of our creative light shots featured in our portfolio were captured during a two-hour wedding package. However, anything beyond two hours might be excessive for City Hall photography coverage alone. We recommend a four-hour package (with a customizable three-hour option) for couples interested in capturing bridal preparations, visiting additional locations, or having their reception documented.
Can't choose a bridal bouquet? Get some ideas here.
Wedding Photography by IQphoto
1941 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States, (415) 939-5877