Since 2017, I’ve photographed hundreds of San Francisco City Hall ceremonies, yet every one is special. But I’m more than just a photographer – I’ll also be your guide, friend and planner to strategize an experience that works for your style & story.
San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer
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Zoe & the team specialize in emotive, modern imagery at this dream SF wedding venue
Candid, classic san francisco vibes
Congratulations on your choice to get married in the most iconic building in America!
This place never fails to excite the eye. You can’t help but get swept up in the drama of the many beautiful backdrops and photo spots.
Then there’s the energy. The hustle and bustle of the building which seems to live and breathe with the dozens of love stories unfolding within.
Maybe you’re planning a civil ceremony - just you and up to 6 guests. A Deputy Marriage Commissioner marries you, and you get to take photos around our monument the rest of the time. You can book 90 days out and it’s a very affordable and simple process.
Or maybe you’re planning to go down the private ceremony route! With this option you’ll have your space for 1 hour. You can add on everything from musicians to floral arrangements to your own officiant carving out a meaningful ceremony. Plus, you’ll get to bring along up to 100 guests! You can book this up to 24 months out, so it’s great for those who love to plan!
Or just maybe you’re going all out and prefer to have the whole of City Hall to yourselves on an evening or weekend. There are so many options available.
Whatever you decide, there are a few universals.
You want photos that capture not just one or two gorgeous photo locations, but really show off the range of architecture. Each floor is beautiful and presents strikingly different photo opportunities.
You want to showcase your happiness! You need to be guided and led by a professional who’s already navigated this exact process hundreds of time. Why? That leads me onto my next point…
You pick San Francisco City Hall for its beauty.
San Francisco City Hall is for those that value convenience.
Though you value photography too, you don’t want to spend all day taking photos at City Hall! It may be that the ceremony is just the jumping off point for a day of festivities - for which you may or may not want professional photography. The day is also for other things. A meal with loved ones. Some along time, just the two of you. Or something unconventional like hitting a sports game or a rad wedding day bike ride.
You want someone that understands your unique approach to your wedding. Your priorities. Your preferences. Your insecurities. Your family dynamics. The nuances and quirks of the way you express love to your partner. Someone that can listen, but also guide.
A couple of hours for photos sounds just about right!
That’s plenty of time to get the photos you value: romantic photos of you two, the ceremony, formal group photos, the iconic exit of course, and of course those darling candid moments in between, throughout the experience.
Knowing the benefits of a San Francisco City Hall ceremony is one thing, but bringing the vision to life in a way that feels intuitive, stress-free and personalized is another. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.
Photographer with a heart for storytelling, service & creativity
We favor a fluid and fun approach – less stiff posing and elaborate lighting setups, and more creative, modern and agile techniques. Think: keeping up with trends but retaining a timeless feel. We honor the uniqueness of each love story, while keeping things moving efficiently and purposefully to ensure maximum bang for your buck.
My team and I photograph more than 100 weddings every year in this place nowadays - and we know how to get the best out of this busy public building.
Far from being formulaic or stale, SF City Hall has become my playground and a place I feel free to do my best work. I thrive on the challenge of keeping the routine fresh - and I endeavor to give every couple I work with something new, as well as those tried-and-true favorites.
Meet Zoe, your San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer!
Dreaming of a City Hall celebration that effortless and feels FUN? That's what we do!
In 2021, I started an associate photographer team. You can meet them here. In short, this means that I have a number of experienced photographers that work for me. If you would like a lower price point, or I’m already booked on your date, you have the option of someone else (also with San Francisco City Hall experience) photographing your wedding instead of me.
Who is the 'team'?
a personal touch, not a conveyor belt
Whatever option you choose, you can be sure that you always have access to me, Zoe, personally.
There’s no virtual assistant you’ll be stuck with (that’s never stepped foot inside City Hall). I pride myself on being the one that all my clients can turn to. I’m just an email away. Me, directly. No matter how random or pedantic your question, I promise I will do my best to help!
Expert wedding photographers specializing in SF City Hall ceremonies since 2017
The Zoe Larkin Photography difference
our sf city hall services guarantee
Attention to detail and a flawless finish
Background people zapped away!
Directive and efficient posing
Each photo is hand-edited ensuring cohesion in color, exposure and composition
Bystanders are zapped in Photoshop, so your photos aren’t ruined by random passers by!
However you express your love, my posing banishes awkwardness so you feel your best
Transparent pricing not gimmicky packages
A blog library about City Hall weddings
A responsive and truly caring approach
Our 2-hour base package covers the entire City Hall process without rushing
My free blog and video resources are your treasure trove of insider tips, available 24/7
Fast, thorough email responses from Zoe personally with proactive tips and answers
Retouching background people as standard
How it looked
How it felt
If you've ever stepped inside this building, you'll know to expect CROWDS, and lots of them.
Most photographers will only make global adjustments as standard (think cropping, straightening, changing the exposure and color balance).
During the labor-intensive editing process, I remove background bystanders that threaten to ruin your big moment! So it'll look like you got the place to yourself, but without the costly buyout or the 4am wake time for hair & makeup if that's just not you!
I personally take care of this detailed editing process as no-one else has a better eye for detail and, let's face it, perfectionism. For those retouching tasks that are beyond my skillset, I employ a retouching team that helps with almost every City Hall wedding we shoot.
There are no words to describe what Zoe meant to our day, and now our memories.
Zoe's kindness and demeanor made us so comfortable allowing her to dictate our every pose, not to mention her AMAZING knowledge of the City Hall spaces, lighting, crowd movement, and architecture.
Alexandra & ARty
Frequently asked questions
The stress-free booking process
Collaborate asynchronously on your custom plan
Review
Inquire about your date and give me all the details
Reach out
Watch the presentation and review the info guide
Review
Plan & book
Lock in your customized plan with contract & payment
PRICING
with associate photographer
For San Francisco City Hall
ceremonies, Monday to Friday
- Your own customized Photography Planning Document to map out your day
- Access to Zoe personally via email as a helpful planner and source of knowledge
- At least 65 edited, high-resolution digital images per hour of photography (usually a lot more)
- Digital delivery within 2 months
- Sleek online gallery for viewing, sharing, downloading and purchasing prints & albums
- Print release for all your images
Add on additional hours desired (up to a maximum of 11) at $450 per hour plus any DESIRED additions
with zoe as photographer
Starting at 2 hours
$2,900
Starting at 2 hours
$2,300
Add on additional hours desired (up to a maximum of 11) at $600 per hour plus any DESIRED additions
contact
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Additions include engagement session, film photography, sneak peek, second photographer (all pricing here),split coverage (info & pricing here); albums, wall art & more (details available after gallery delivery)
We could not stop smiling and dancing around City Hall
If you follow Zoe's advice from her blog you will have an incredible wedding. We had the most amazing time taking photos with Zoe. She knew all the best spots for photos and made us and our guests feel so comfortable.
Laura & Mike
Read the guide now - no email or download required
Everything I’ve learned after photographing 400+ weddings here distilled into one easy-to-digest and always up-to date guide (with video of yours truly explaining everything!)
Must-check out
resources
WHERE DO WE GO FOR PORTRAITS AFTER OUR CEREMONY?
Lots of couples (I'd say ~60% of mine) opt to add on time for portraits in a pretty San Francisco location. As beautiful as SF City Hall is, there's nothing more flattering than natural light on skin. The most popular locations I'm at time and time again are the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. I have a guide to San Francisco photo locations and another on photo spots <3 miles from SF City Hall. It's at least 1 additional hour per each external location, and can be longer if there is extensive walking within the location. Another option is to allow me to guide you around the vicinity of City Hall for outdoor photos just near the building which only 30 minutes extra.
WHERE SHOULD WE HAVE OUR WEDDING RECEPTION AFTER THE CEREMONY?
There are so many options for what to do with your guests after the City Hall portion. Some of our couples have traditional wedding receptions with all the typical events, but most opt for something more casual yet elevated. Depending on the time of day, this might look like a relaxed brunch, a hip restaurant, drinks at a bar, or lunch/ dinner. Whether you have 6 guests or 60, be sure you bookmark my guide to the best San Francisco restaurants for after City Hall.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY OF GETTING TO CITY HALL, PARKING AND TRAVELING AROUND?
It's a super busy area with zero street parking available sadly anywhere within walking distance. If driving, I recommend parking at the Civic Center Garage with entrances on Larkin and McAllister. For getting around the city, I recommend Uber/Lyft for the most seamless experience that doesn't waste time with parking/walking. Some couples rent limos, towncars, shuttles, trolleys and more fun options! I have a separate article on this topic here.
WILL OUR PHOTOS BE RUINED IF CITY HALL IS SUPER BUSY?
Not at all. A skilled photographer will be able to guide you to places that are not as crammed with people, and can also predict the crowd's ebb and flow throughout the day! Many, like our team, will Photoshop out background people. But there is a limit to what smart positioning and post-production can do, and you can expect to wait our turn if you want to take photos on the Grand Staircase anytime except 8 - 8:30am or after 4:30pm. This is another reason why buffer time is important.
WHAT'S THE BEST TIME FOR PICTURES AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL?
The best time of day is as early as possible. The building has stunning light early in the day and it’s largely free of people. 8am is opening time. The building gradually fills up and is busiest around the middle of the day. The other opportunity is when the ceremonies are winding down for the day, the latest ceremonies being at 3.30pm. The quality of light can be darker depending on weather and time of year. Later photos may have a more orange tone during late November, December and January.
CAN ANYONE TAKE PHOTOS AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL?
Yes, any member of the public can photograph at San Francisco City Hall. You do not need any special permit or permission to take photos within the building. Flash and lighting stands are used by photographers without issue. The benefits of opting for a professional photographer are our familiarity with the building, our ability to navigate you around a crowded place, posing couples which is a very specialized skill, our knowledge of typical timelines and processes, the equipment we use that can take non-grainy images even in low indoor light, and our post-production process that takes care of removing bystanders that takes a lot of experience.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL WEDDINGS?
The two main options are civil ceremonies and private area rentals. Civil ceremonies usually take place in the rotunda, at the top of the stairs. The private area rentals take place on either the 4th Floor North Gallery or the Mayor’s Balcony. You can alternatively opt for a full City Hall buyout during the weekend or evening. There are different guest counts and rental costs associated with each. I’ve outlined the options in full on this post. Generally speaking, they're Monday to Friday close-ish to office hours.
WHAT IS THE CIVIL CEREMONY LIKE AT SF CITY HALL AND HOW LONG IS IT?
The Civil Ceremony lasts ~3 minutes. It can be shorter if you choose not to exchange rings. The vows that you will be exchanging are available in full here. There are two civil ceremony slots every half hour between 9am and 3.30pm. No personalization is permitted for civil ceremonies, only private ones. Check-in for civil ceremonies can take ~25 minutes on average - this is a normal part of the process.
WHAT CAN WE ACTUALLY EXPECT TO HAPPEN ON OUR SF CITY HALL WEDDING DAY?
For civil ceremonies, you’ll need to check in 15 minutes before your booked ceremony time. There is no check-in for private ceremonies. After checking in first at Room 160, you’ll wait in the corridor for your name to be called out. This time you’ll go and meet your officiant in Room 168. No photography is permitted in Room 168. No flash photography is permitted in the corridor waiting area.
HOW DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE TO BOOK?
SF City Hall may form a small part of your day, or may be the focal point of your photography. That’s why I created upfront, transparent a la carte pricing with no surprises! The two-hour base package covers basic City Hall events. I'll help you build your custom timeline. If you're having a private ceremony with a guest count of 35+, I recommend 2.5 hours as a minimum for reasons highlighted in this Instagram post. I created a blog post about San Francisco City Hall wedding timelines here.
WHAT'S INVOLVED WITH PICKING UP OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Picking up the marriage license is simple and is available from any county in California. You do not need to make a trip to SF City Hall specifically. You will need to make an appointment online to obtain the marriage license at almost all counties. The license must have been issued within 90 days of the wedding date. It can be picked up on the wedding day but I would not recommend this.
WHEN DO WE DO OUR FAMILY FORMALS AT OUR WEDDING?
Your photographer will guide you on this. I do formal photos immediately after the ceremony, after the sweet moments of congratulation. I recommend keeping lists to a maximum of around 6-8 groupings. Here's my comprehensive guide on how to compile your family photo list.
WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT DELAYS AT CITY HALL, WHAT CAN WE DO?
Delays can happen at San Francisco City Hall, but your photographer should build enough buffer time into proceedings. To prepare for delays, such as due to a high volume of people taking photos within the building or an overly-long check-in process, you can make a firm plan with your photographer which includes buffer time.
San Francisco City Hall wedding FAQs
city hall-specific
Further reading:
All OUR City Hall blog posts. View sample images, planning tips & tricks for a smooth and effortless San Francisco City Hall wedding day!
Behind the lens
Zoe
Zoe brings an eye for story and an open heart to every couple’s day
Over the years I’ve perfected a formula that ensures you get the very best experience on your San Francisco City Hall wedding day. We seek to be your friend, confidante, bonus bridesmaid-with-a-camera!
Together we’ll craft a stress-free and fun session with natural, yet expertly guided poses. My team and I go above and beyond to ensure your City Hall celebration is nothing short of magical!
loves: cats 😻, clean eating, film photos, 90s rom coms, early nights, herbal tea
Having Zoe was like having a wedding planner
If you read Zoe’s website, you'll know she's meticulous, detailed-oriented, and will help you feel confident planning even if you’re not a local. I loved that she produced a mix of candid style & posed shots so we could focus on being with our friends.
grace & byron
contact
Due to a high volume of inquiries, I cannot respond to every one, only to those that would be a good fit. Please be descriptive and human in your outreach, as your inquiry is how we gauge fit.
We only take on ceremonies that are a minimum of 14 days out. No exceptions.
I only correspond directly with the couple, no third parties. Ensure you have reviewed pricing in full before contacting me.
I reply quickly if it's a good match. Please check your spam, just in case.
With love & gratitude, Zoe
