A San Francisco City Hall Wedding Will Be Something You Remember Forever

By Andrew Snyder


Most couples have a ceremony of some kind when they get married. It can be an elaborate affair with hundreds of guests, an orchestra, and an expensive reception. Others opt for the most economical service they can manage with just a handful of friends and family. If you want a great, affordable experience, and trick your guests at the same time, you can invite everyone to join you at your San Francisco city hall wedding.

If you are not familiar with this building, you will be surprised and pleased to learn that it is an iconic structure, frequently photographed and well known throughout the architectural world. You can choose a simple ceremony that takes place either on the Mayor's Balcony or in the Gallery located on the fourth floor. There is seating for a maximum of sixty guests. The basic package for this one hour service costs one thousand dollars.

If you need more room for guests and want a more elaborate affair, you can have a two hour service for around five thousand dollars. These ceremonies take place in the Rotunda on the Grand Staircase. There is room for two hundred guests. Your package includes insurance, basic services, and chairs. You will have to set up and break down the equipment within the two hour window.

If you want to splurge, you can choose an evening wedding. Once again, the Grand Staircase is the sight of the wedding vows. You may have a cocktail reception in the North Light Court with formal dining, and dancing after, in the Rotunda. Weddings may take place during the week or on a weekend. You will have access to the venue for up to twelve hours.

These packages do not include everything. When you meet with the events coordinator, you should go over what is covered in the basic package, and what you will be expected to provide. The building has a limited amount of equipment and chairs for instance. Most couples contract with an independent vendor to provide the equipment they need.

The packages do not come with marriage certificates or licenses. For those you will have to go to the Clerk of the Court's office. Packages are not inclusive of a person to officiate at the ceremony. If you don't have a preference, contacting the city or the Clerk's office is recommended.

When you discuss packages with the event coordinator, you will probably receive a list of rules and regulations. Items that are not allowed will be high on the list. These include fireworks, snow and smoke machines, confetti, helium balloons, and smoking. If you want to raise a sign or banner, or install lighting, on the building's exterior, the city engineer must supervise it.

This is not what people think of when they imagine city hall weddings. Instead of an austere affair consisting of you, a judge, and a witness, you can have a lavish and memorable ceremony in a beautiful American Renaissance atmosphere. It will surely be a once in a lifetime experience.




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