City Hall Elopement | San Francisco, CA
We don’t photograph urban elopements often, but when we do, you can bet SF City Hall is at the top of our list—
This was our second time photographing love at this palatial courthouse, and boy, does this space truly never get old. Bailey and James saw photos from our last elopement at City Hall a few years back, and instantly knew this would be the place they would one day exchange vows too. I was so grateful they chose me to be part of it! San Francisco City Hall is truly a photographer’s playground, with so many unique architectural quirks and angles to play around with. As someone who photographs outdoor elopements and weddings on public land much more often than in the city, I loved the change of pace and the challenge that comes with documenting a wedding in a setting like this!
Bailey and I have been friends for years, and I really cherish the opportunity to be part of so many loved ones’ wedding days. This one was no exception. I had yet to meet James, but quite literally everyone who knows him loves him, and has said as much. I so anxiously anticipated this day with them for the many months we planned their elopement! Bailey and James collaborated to develop a very cinematic vision for their elopement photos, hoping to incorporate lots of motion, unique angles, and a little bit of blur to help these photos look like their memories of the day every time they looked back at them. I found myself so often with my shutter speed way down low, and getting creative with the movement during this entire photo session! The low light in San Francisco City Hall lent perfectly to this style of photography. I loved it.
Bailey and James met a few years ago on St. Patrick’s Day, and fell for each other quickly. Bailey has long described James as the most sweet, gentle guy who treats her better than she could have ever imagined (can confirm, he is exactly those things), and it’s so easy to see why she fell in love with him. A tradition they have kept their entire relationships is what they call their day dates— random week days spent trying new activities, seeing new cities in their area, and lingering over long conversations as they fall more deeply in love with each other. The two wanted their elopement day to flow just like this, a “day date” in San Francisco. I love the way they made this monumental day so quintessentially them, incorporating part of their relationship they both love so dearly. This day date would begin with exchanging vows at City Hall.
Pro tip: if you are getting married at City Hall, and haven’t reserved an entire balcony for your elopement, I would highly recommend beginning your photos as soon as City Hall opens. As you can probably imagine just seeing how beautiful this building is, this is a very popular location for couples near and far to get married. The space fills quickly, and you’re often not alone anywhere in the building. To minimize the crowds, get there early. I was so happy Bailey and James were into this idea! We met on the front steps when it opened, Bailey looking truly radiant in her red dress, and James dapper in his navy suit. We headed straight for the classic, very regal looking stairs, and began their photos there.
San Francisco City Hall has a few levels and so many layers of architectural prowess to marvel at. I love the surprises that seem to lie around every corner, and especially introducing couples to it all for the very first time. It is magic. What makes the space even more magical is a rare sunny morning, when Karl the Fog isn’t a factor. I am very grateful to say both elopements we’ve been part of at City Hall have taken place on sunny mornings. You cannot beat the soft beams of light that filter through the big windows on the fourth floor. After wandering through this absolute gem of a building, Bailey and James exchanged private vows on one of the balconies, the most sweetly emotional moment of our entire morning. After their legal ceremony, it was on with their day date! What a treat to play a small role in capturing this special day for Bailey and James! I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as we do 💓
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Hi there! We’re Katie & Joseph, a husband and wife team, and destination elopement photographers.
We are big fans of documenting marriage in an unposed, raw, genuine, and honest way that allows our couples to maximize their experience on their day while also receiving a gallery full of stunning images that communicate how it felt to be there.
Though we’re based in Arizona, we’ll travel anywhere, like our home state of California for a good love story. We invite you to follow the links below to learn more about us and our services, and to get in contact with us!
