
Planning a wedding? Here are the 20 most common regrets couples have about their big day – and how to avoid them. I compiled this list myself from years of stalking Reddit, wedding planning podcasts, Instagram, TikTok, and other online research, as well as learning directly from the 500+ weddings I’ve photographed. Don’t make these […]

San Francisco City Hall is a breathtaking architectural marvel that has become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the Bay Area. Every year, thousands of couples choose to get married within its stunning marble halls, grand staircases, and ornate rotunda. But not all City Hall weddings are created equal! While civil ceremonies are […]

In this blog post and accompanying video, I hope to share with you everything you need to know about civil ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall. I’m a wedding photographer who’s photographed around 400 ceremonies, specifically within this building, so I’ve seen a thing or two about how it all works. If you prefer to […]

Here’s the thing about weddings: everyone’s got advice. Your mom insists you need a receiving line. Your best friend swears by their wedding planner. And don’t even get me started on what Pinterest thinks you should do. But after photographing hundreds of weddings, I’ve noticed something interesting. The most beautiful, memorable celebrations often ignore the […]

What’s our FAVORITE reception venue for a meal after your San Francisco City Hall ceremony? There’s nowhere better than the Wayfare Tavern! This cozy, old-world restaurant has long been a San Francisco staple, chosen by countless couples for their post-City Hall celebration meal. Think Barbary Coast-speakeasy-meets-British-pub. History rubs shoulders with modernism here, giving it a […]

I’m delighted to introduce to you my favorite hotels in San Francisco that are fit for your the night before (and after) your San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony! These primarily 4- and 5-star hotels are ideal in terms of their location, amenities offered and high standard of excellence. Whether you live in the Bay […]

We’re diving into 61 of the best San Francisco wedding venues here on the Zoe Larkin Photography blog. Oh Lord, there are just SO many amazing wedding venues! In a city known for being dynamic, fun and innovative, is it any wonder that the places to get married in San Francisco are so varied and […]

Hey friends! Phew, I’ve been blogging like crazy for a minute, and I thought it would be fun (and a good idea) to create one centralized resource page with all of my favorite FREE blog posts for couples who are planning their weddings. Organization, yay! I’ve been blogging about wedding planning and wedding photography for […]

Planning your San Francisco City Hall ceremony and need a guiding hand? In this article, I’m going to guide you through how to create the perfect SF City Hall timeline for your wedding. Because seamless, stress-free wedding days don’t just happen, they’re planned! There are numerous benefits to creating your timeline, no matter how casual […]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I also commend you on your excellent taste – you won’t regret choosing San Francisco City Hall as your wedding venue. This iconic building, with its exquisite Beaux-Arts architecture and remarkable history, serves as a breathtaking and photogenic backdrop for your special day. This article will introduce you give you […]

Wondering where to have your reception after your San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony in 2026? In this article, I’ll guide you through my favorite restaurants in San Francisco that are perfect for hosting a wedding day meal of any size. The 37 awesome restaurants on my list all serve excellent food and will take […]

In this post I’m sharing the 36 best engagement photography locations in San Francisco. The places on this list are San Francisco spots that are amazing for wedding or engagement photos. What makes spots for couples photos any different from general cool photo spots? Well, for one thing, they each have a wide variety of […]
If you’re considering getting married at the Presidio Log Cabin in San Francisco, I’m here to spill the tea! First off, the cabin offers an expansive outdoor space with peekaboo views of the Golden Gate Bridge, city skyline and lush eucalyptus groves. The natural scenery provides an enchanting setting, perfect for both ceremonies and receptions. […]

February 24, 2024

Wondering what you should receive in your wedding photography package? You might be feeling overwhelmed trying to decide what you should receive as part of your wedding photography package deliverables! If you’re searching for a wedding photographer, you’re no doubt faced with a barrage of unfamiliar terms that come with photographers’ packages. No doubt you’ve […]
January 26, 2024
I’m excited to share this gem of a Bay Area redwood wedding venue – Samuel P Taylor State Park located in Lagunitas in Marin County, CA. In the early part of 2023, I had the pleasure of capturing Vivian & Alex’s wedding here. The couple rented the enchanting Redwood Grove Group Picnic Area for their […]

December 4, 2023

If you’re in search of an idyllic setting for your big day (which obviously you are because who isn’t?!) the Mountain Terrace in Woodside, CA is a breathtaking Bay Area venue that’s well worth a look. What I personally love about this wedding venue is the outdoor space. The spacious meadow with surrounding woods is […]
November 3, 2023
As a wedding photographer who’s spent years behind the lens capturing the magic of wedding days, I’ve come to understand the dreams, expectations, and – yes – the realities of weddings. One request I’ve heard is, “I want to get a photo of every guest at my wedding.” While I completely understand the sentiment behind […]

October 18, 2023

I couldn’t be more excited to showcase photos from this Riverfront Regional Park outdoor wedding ceremony! Cindy & Mike married there in November 2021 with a tiny group of around 20 adults and 3 children. They held their ceremony there and then went on to Paradise Ridge Winery for their reception (about a 25-minute drive […]
September 27, 2023
If you’re here, it means you’re looking for an engagement photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area! So, firstly, congratulations on your engagement! Such a fun time in your lives. Secondly, you’re in the right place! I don’t know what stage of the search you’re at. Perhaps you’re just dipping your toes into figuring out […]

September 20, 2023

Here at Zoe Larkin Photography, we LOVE a good backyard wedding! There are so many reasons that make this kind of celebration especially intimate, personal and meaningful. If you’ve been following for any length of time, you’ll know we’re interested in working alongside couples who infuse their values into their weddings. I believe that a […]
September 8, 2023
Nestled in the breathtaking Marin Headlands of San Francisco, Hawk Hill offers a stunning backdrop for couples seeking a Golden Gate Bridge elopement experience! As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing a love story or two played out against this enchanting setting. In this blog post, I’m going to introduce you to […]

August 31, 2023

Foreign Cinema is a bona fide San Francisco dining institution. Nestled in the vibrant heart of the Mission District, it is the epitome of effortless cool. It’s absolutely a unique and memorable venue if you’re looking for a restaurant wedding venue. You can tie the knot surrounded by enchanting ambiance, artistic flair, and world-class cuisine […]
August 24, 2023
This is the stunning Piedmont Community Hall—think Mediterranean vibes with chic taupe walls and a terracotta rooftop. Party the night away in the stylish main room, featuring sky-high beamed ceilings, polished hardwood floors, and eye-catching chandeliers. Those floor-to-ceiling windows? They’re bringing the outdoors in, so you can soak up that park-side magic all night long. […]

August 18, 2023

Now for a totally unique intimate wedding venue! The urban chic setting with industrial accents creates an atmosphere where modern elegance meets laid-back charm. The crowning jewel is undoubtedly the rooftop area, offering spectacular views of the city’s skyline. I had the pleasure of photographing Kait and Nick’s summer 2021 outdoor wedding that took place […]
August 17, 2023
Nestled amidst lush greenery, rugged canyons and enchanting redwoods of Woodside, California, Huddart Park serves as a serene oasis just a stone’s throw away from the bustling San Francisco Peninsula. Easily accessible, the park is a mere 3.5 miles from Highway 84. Huddart Park offers an idyllic setting for the down-to-earth wedding of your dreams. […]

August 10, 2023

In this article, I’m going to go over some pros and cons of having your first look at San Francisco City Hall specifically. First of all, if you’re not sold on the idea of a pre-ceremony ‘first look’, or you’re unsure what it involves, I’ve written a separate guide to first looks in general which […]
August 8, 2023
Fancy getting married at a 300-acre mountaintop retreat perched high above Santa Cruz overlooking Monterey Bay? Because that’s precisely what Chaminade Resort promises! Lynsey & Ashley’s day didn’t start and end at Chaminade, though. They actually had their ceremony at a chapel, the iconic roadside chapel about 25 minutes away. Afterward, they opted for a […]

August 5, 2023

Crystal & Alisa’s sweet summer wedding at Garden Valley Ranch, Petaluma, was photographed by our associate photographer Jeremi. We’d love to be back at this stunning, flower-filled Petaluma wedding venue, so in this article I’m going to share with you more about the space as well as photos of this sweet LGBT+ wedding our team […]
July 28, 2023
Canyon View Event Center, situated in San Ramon, CA is the setting for this gorgeous, heart-filled wedding! The venue presents breathtaking city and canyon panoramas of the Tri-Valley, both indoors and outdoors. In short, it’s a photographer’s dream. It was my first time shooting at Canyon View Event Center so I did some research about […]

July 2, 2023

The beautiful Amador Rancho Community Center in San Ramon is SUCH a great and little-known venue for all types of weddings! I can see a smaller, low-key celebration happening here, or even a more upscale event like Jacqueline and Asad’s sangeet that took place here in summer last year. With the help of an excellent […]
June 16, 2023
The Seymour Center provides an affordable, intimate oceanfront wedding experience with a unique twist. Located on the Central Coast, this venue offers stunning ocean views, bluff-top terraces, and glimpses of Monterey Bay’s marine life. The venue is set among various quaint, wooden structures situated on a secluded cliff overlooking the pristine Santa Cruz coastline and […]

June 6, 2023

If you’re considering the Temescal Beach House, Oakland for your wedding, feast your eyes on this recent wedding, photographed by one of our associate photographers! Emma (they/them) and Dylan (he/him) chose this venue for their relaxed and informal ‘Jewish-ish’ wedding in 2022. When they reached out, they told me they were planning a smallish wedding […]
May 26, 2023
I'm Zoe and I lead a team of Bay Area wedding photographers. I still personally help you plan your wedding timeline so you can relax and savor your wedding day.
We blend an unobtrusive approach to capturing images with a directive way of capturing the posed shots of you and your guests.
With over 500 weddings personally photographed by Zoe, hundreds of reviews on Yelp and Google, and over
MOMENT CATCHERS, LIGHT CHASERS, photojournalists
As a seasoned professional and true artist, I transform wedding moments into timeless memories, captured photojournalistically.
In short, our images make memories last forever.
Looking for a wedding photographer that will honor your unique, beautiful story?
470,000 words of inspiration and and advice on the blog, we're the leading wedding photographers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Since 2016, I've poured my heart into Bay Area weddings, specializing in San Francisco City Hall ceremonies and shooting all love. Our goal is to create personal images with an intimate feel - images that evoke emotion and transport you back to the moment.
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