
Wedding traditions exist for a reason. Many of them work well, and for couples who value them, they can add structure and meaning to the day. But as a wedding photographer in San Francisco, I’ve seen a wide range of couples explore non-traditional wedding ideas that better reflect how they actually want to spend their […]

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 […]

What are family formals on your wedding day? These are the posed photos in which everyone looks at the camera and smiles! Some other names are formal group portraits, posed groupings, or group photos or portraits. I tend to call them ‘formal groupings’, since the groupings that matter depend on your relationships and may not […]
Today I want to let you in on a little San Francisco City Hall inside knowledge on Valentine’s Day wedding ceremonies. City Hall doesn’t always publicize their special set-up for Valentine’s Day, so I’m letting you in on all the goss! 2020 was the 4th year that SF City Hall has instated the tradition, and […]

March 3, 2020

If you’ve landed here, it’s because you are wise enough to know that a little preparation can go a long, long way to ensuring your wedding day stays stress-free. Once the wedding day approaches, it’s time to start turning your attention to the little things you can do that will make a big difference. This […]
February 28, 2020
As a straight, cisgender wedding photographer I am extremely grateful and proud that a number of LGBTQ+ couples have trusted me with their weddings, engagements and love stories. Showcasing these couples’ photos has earned me more LGBTQ+ wedding bookings for the upcoming year, which I’m pumped about. Working with LGBTQ+ couples has been an incredible […]

February 25, 2020

Mellow + chilled… and I’m not just talking about the wine! Honestly, this Eristavi Winery wedding was the epitome of effortless Cool. With a big ‘C’. Urban wineries are becoming more popular these days. Traditional wineries will always have their place. For many San Francisco couples, spots closer to home have their unique appeal. Morgan […]
February 19, 2020
When you choose to get married at SF City Hall, you have a few different options open to you. One of the private areas that’s available for rent is the Mayor’s Balcony. The Mayor’s Balcony is an elegant choice for couples that would like a little more privacy, a higher guest count and the chance […]

February 15, 2020

These days, documentary-style wedding photography is very common. The genre is also known as candid wedding photography, photojournalism, reportage, and a whole host of terms. It’s something I lean into heavily in my work. I’m known as being a photojournalistic wedding photographer in the Bay Area and have written a full guide on exactly what […]
February 10, 2020
Love these two and their Glacier Point Amphitheater wedding! This was my first time photographing a wedding in Yosemite National Park, and I sincerely hope it won’t be the last. A Yosemite wedding is also an excuse for a fun little getaway for you and your guests! Everyone wants to linger a little longer to […]

February 6, 2020

As a City Hall wedding photographer, I am sometimes asked about the official marriage vows that couples will be taking on their wedding day at San Francisco City Hall. When you get married at a courthouse or city hall, there isn’t an opportunity for personalized vows like at a regular wedding ceremony. At least for […]
February 3, 2020
I’ve created this list of 36 questions to ask your wedding photographer. Hopefully, this will help wedding couples to figure out some ideas as to what they might want to know more about. (You won’t be able to ask them all!) Whether it’s about style, presence on the day, deliverables or pricing, wedding photographers are used […]

January 31, 2020

Thank you for checking out these wedding photos from Monte Verde Inn wedding in Foresthill, CA! Located about 12 miles northeast of Auburn, CA in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains is the quaint private estate, Monte Verde Inn. As outdoor wedding locations in Northern California go, it’s pretty special. The property is a […]
January 27, 2020
If you want to learn about saving money on your wedding you’re in the right place. But also, I want to be very real with you in this article. It may be an unpopular opinion but I honestly think that the wedding industry has peddled a lot of garbage about what they really ‘need’ for […]

January 22, 2020

Note: the Quadrus Conference Center has now closed down permanently. For other wedding venue ideas, please check out my guide to the best San Francisco wedding venues linked below: Sharing J & B’s Quadrus Conference Center wedding in Menlo Park. This was my first time shooting at the venue. At first you may be wondering […]
January 18, 2020
Hey there, fellow wedding vendor! You’re receiving this blog post because I’ve just sent you a gallery of wedding photos from a wedding that YOU worked on and provided awesome work. I am so stoked to be working with you! I want to see you and your biz grow and thrive, that’s why I’m sending […]

January 14, 2020

Delighted to share today this beautiful Stern Grove wedding! Stern Grove is a pretty iconic San Francisco location, but in case you aren’t familiar – here’s the backstory! According to Wikipedia, it’s been the setting of the famous Stern Grove festival for over 80 years! The 33-acre recreational site is administered by SF Recreation and […]
January 13, 2020
Wow for this beautiful Chateau Carmel Wedding! I love the amazing places that my couples find. When they told me about Chateau Carmel I was above all, intrigued. This unique, elegant European-Style villa is available on Airbnb and VRBO. I know, right, it seems so crazy to think you can find an incredible wedding venue […]

January 8, 2020

What’s the best way of getting around on your San Francisco City Hall wedding day? Whatever you have planned on your big day at City Hall, you’ll undoubtedly need some form of transportation! In this article, I outline the 10 best transportation ideas to & from San Francisco City Hall. I also include some pros […]
January 4, 2020
Yay for this wonderful wedding venue, The General’s Residence! It was a pleasure photographing the wedding of Dieter and Eduardo at this favorite San Francisco wedding spot. You may know of the General’s Residence being located in Fort Mason. But did you know that the whole Fort Mason complex is located within a National Park?! […]

December 31, 2019

Planning a Brazilian Room wedding? You’re in good company! The Brazilian Room located in Tilden Park, Berkeley is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Bay Area. The main draw of this cozy and versatile East Bay event space is its proximity to nature. Tilden Park, with its pine, oak and eucalyptus trees, […]
December 28, 2019
Are you wondering what actual steps you can take to look GOOD in your wedding photos? I mean natural, looking like you really feel – happy and in love and enjoying the best day of your life. Good as in not cheesy, not awkward, just totally happy, relaxed and IN LOVE. Well, friends, there is a […]

December 23, 2019

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 […]
December 19, 2019
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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