A stress-free guide to getting married in the most beautiful government building ever💍 San Francisco City Hall Elopement (Classic, Iconic, and Extra Fancy Without Trying)

San Francisco City Hall is where timeless architecture meets “we got married before brunch.” If you want a stress-free elopement with jaw-dropping marble columns and zero hiking boots required, this is your spot.

🎟️ Step 1: Get Your California Marriage License (aka the Legal Stuff)

Before you can say “I do,” you’ll need a valid California marriage license issued within 90 days of your wedding date. Think of this as your VIP pass to getting married.

You can apply at San Francisco City Hall or any California county clerk’s office.

👉 Apply here:
SF County Clerk – Marriage License info:
https://www.sf.gov/topics–marriage-and-partnerships

Pro tip: Do this first so your elopement doesn’t turn into a very emotional photoshoot with no paperwork.

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📅 Step 2: Book Your Ceremony at City Hall

You’ve got two main ceremony styles depending on how many people you want watching you cry happy tears:

🟡 Small Civil Ceremony (up to 6 guests)

Perfect for couples who want something simple, sweet, and efficient (romance, but make it efficient).

• Reservations are made online through the SF County Clerk system
• Ceremonies happen Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–3:30 pm
• Bring your marriage license and valid ID or they will politely but firmly send you home

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🔵 Private or Larger Ceremony Package

Want more guests, more time, and more drama (the good kind)? Book a private ceremony through the City Hall Events Office.

This lets you reserve iconic spaces like:

• The Mayor’s Balcony
• A gallery under the massive Rotunda dome

Balcony weddings start around $1,000 for one hour, and larger spaces are available if you’re going full main-character energy.

👉 Reserve here:
https://www.sfcityhallevents.org/weddings/

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📸 Photo & Planning Tips (Because You’re Here for the Photos Too)

San Francisco City Hall is basically an indoor Pinterest board. Best photo spots include:

• The Rotunda staircase (the classic shot)
• Mayor’s Balcony (hello, skyline light)
• The marble hallways that make you look like royalty

More tips:

• Civil ceremony slots open about 90 days in advance, so set a reminder like it’s concert tickets
• If you want more than 6 guests, you’ll need the private event booking option (no sneaking cousins in)

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📜 After the Ceremony (Don’t Forget This Part)

Once you’ve officially tied the knot, make sure your signed marriage license gets recorded with the assessor-recorder. This is what makes your marriage legally official and not just very well-documented.

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✨ Summary

From quick weekday civil ceremonies under the iconic City Hall dome to glamorous balcony weddings with a full guest list, San Francisco City Hall elopements offer something for every couple — whether you want low-key and fast or elegant and extra.

Historic architecture. Zero weather stress. Stunning photos.
Honestly? It’s hard to beat getting married in a building that looks like it belongs in a movie.