In a year where we didn't do that many weddings because of Covid-19, this particular marriage stood out. There was a lot to like about this wedding, including a very fun "first look" that we did before the ceremony. San Francisco City Hall was a little crowded that day but we still managed to find some great places to capture the bride and groom's wedding pictures. We are one of the leading San Francisco wedding photographers currently photographing weddings at City Hall. Please see the wedding gallery below for more information about this remarkable marriage.
Last SF City Hall Wedding of 2020 before Pandemic
This was one of our last weddings that we were able to shoot at San Francisco city hall before the Lock down took place because of Covid-19. Little did we know as we photographed this wedding what was soon to come. Most of us thought (and were being told) that city hall would be closed for 3 weeks at the most just to be safe. We were certainly wrong about that and so was everyone else. Now with the reopening of San Francisco city hall and the start of weddings, I am actively posting on the website again and thought I would put this up since it was sort of historic marker in our history as a San Francisco wedding photographer.
We had never gone this long without photographing a wedding in our past 25 years in business. Just a month or so after the lock down we did photograph one city hall wedding, but we did it outside of the building. It was an eerie feeling because the whole area we were in was completely abandoned. It felt a little like a ghost town. We are very happy to be back taking city hall wedding pictures again after such a long lay off. Please enjoy reading the details of this amazing wedding from 2020.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding with "First Look"
Occasionally we work with a couple that wants to do the traditional "first look" before the wedding. For those of you that don't know, a first look is a when the Groom sees the Bride in her dress for the first time, but prior to the ceremony. First looks came out of the new tradition to actually see each other before the wedding to take care of things like wedding photography or family pictures. When it comes to a San Francisco city hall wedding it works out perfectly because it provides some drama to an otherwise less traditional type of civil ceremony.
We always offer to set up the first look with our clients and know some of the best and more private places in San Francisco city hall to do it. For this wedding, we chose one of the large columns to hide the groom behind. As you can see from the photos, the bride walked up to him from behind and tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around to see his beautiful bride. Always a great opportunity for candid photos, we love it when our clients do a First Look. You will probably need to book our City Hall "Preferred" package at minimum to include this in your wedding photography. This package provides 1.5 hours of coverage will give you plenty of time for the First Look, Ceremony and family pictures. We generally will need to start your coverage about 15 minutes early to allow sufficient time for your First Look.
Family and Friends Photos at SF City Hall
We have mentioned this in past posts, but it bears repeating. If you are bringing family and friends to your San Francisco city hall wedding, it is a great idea to book our 1.5 hour Preferred package. This will not only give us time to take pictures of your family in various groupings, but it also provides us with the opportunity to capture candid shots. Some of the most treasured photos that our clients receive is that first hug from mom after you tie the knot.
In addition, this package allows the couple more time to interact with their friends without cutting into their San Francisco city hall wedding photography time. We will still have plenty of time to tour the entire building capturing wedding memories with the bride and groom. The other thing that people don't always realize is that when you have guests in attendance you need to spend a little time talking to them. So this takes away from wedding photography time. As it should, but that's why we need a longer package for those situations. If you are looking to book us for your wedding photography this is the best package for you!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As one of the leading San Francisco wedding photographers, I bring a wealth of expertise and firsthand experience to capturing the most remarkable moments of your special day. With a deep knowledge of San Francisco City Hall and its surroundings, I ensure that every couple's wedding pictures are nothing short of extraordinary.
Throughout the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have witnessed the impact on the wedding industry firsthand. Our last wedding at San Francisco City Hall before the lockdown was a significant event, marking the end of an era as we entered an uncertain period. Little did we know that the closure would last longer than anticipated, leaving us without weddings to photograph for an extended period of time. However, with the reopening of San Francisco City Hall and the resumption of weddings, I am thrilled to be actively posting on our website once again.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this wedding was the "first look" moment, a tradition where the groom sees the bride in her dress before the ceremony. This unique twist adds drama and excitement to a civil ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, creating a memorable experience for both the couple and the photographer. We take pride in offering the opportunity for a first look, and our extensive knowledge of the venue allows us to select the ideal location for this intimate moment. In this particular wedding, we chose a large column to conceal the groom, and as the bride approached him from behind, he turned around to see his beautiful bride for the first time. This provided an excellent opportunity for candid photos, capturing the raw emotions of the couple.
Furthermore, when it comes to including family and friends in your San Francisco City Hall wedding, our 1.5-hour Preferred package is highly recommended. This package not only gives us ample time to capture various groupings and candid shots of your loved ones, but it also allows you to cherish those precious moments with them without compromising your wedding photography experience. We understand the importance of those first hugs from parents and the interactions with friends, and our extended package ensures that you have enough time to make lasting memories with your guests.
In conclusion, whether you're seeking a San Francisco City Hall wedding experience that defies convention with a first look or looking to include your family and friends in the celebration, our expertise and comprehensive packages cater to your needs. From capturing the grandeur of the venue to the intimate moments shared with loved ones, we are committed to providing you with a remarkable wedding photography experience. Please take a moment to explore our wedding gallery below to learn more about the extraordinary weddings we have had the privilege to document.
