If you're getting married at San Francisco City Hall, you're already choosing one of the most stunning wedding venues in the world. With its grand staircase, marble columns, and iconic dome, it’s a dream backdrop for timeless wedding photography. But if you want your City Hall wedding photos to tell a deeper, more dynamic story, here’s a simple idea with a big payoff: add a second photo location.

Adding an extra stop—before or after your ceremony—gives your wedding gallery more variety, more personality, and more opportunities to capture that just-married glow. Remember, this is your wedding day and it deserves to be fully celebrated!

Trying to plan your own City Hall Wedding? Start here! My blog goes over everything you need to know about booking your beautiful City Hall Wedding!

Start the Day in Style: Getting Ready at a Beautiful Hotel

Your wedding day begins long before you say “I do.” Choosing a beautiful space to get ready sets the tone for the entire experience—and gives us a chance to document those quiet, joyful, emotional pre-ceremony moments. Getting ready photos are full of fun and intimtate moments that deserve to be captured, you can check out why you don’t want to miss getting ready photos here!

Two of my favorite places for couples to get ready in San Francisco:

The Fairmont San Francisco – Classic luxury perched atop Nob Hill. From grand ballrooms to elegant suites with Golden Gate Bridge views, the Fairmont offers a regal and romantic setting for your pre-wedding moments.
The Westin St. Francis – Right on Union Square, this historic hotel offers sophisticated rooms with gorgeous natural light. It’s the perfect mix of elegance and urban charm, just a short drive from City Hall.

Having a thoughtfully chosen space means beautiful detail shots, getting ready candids, and calm energy before the whirlwind begins.

Wedding photos at the Westin Hotel in San Francisco

Make Your First Look Extra Memorable

If you're planning a first look, consider stepping away from City Hall for a moment of privacy and magic. Doing your first look at a different location adds even more variety to your gallery—and gives you two a chance to connect, take a deep breath, and share in the excitement before the ceremony.

Some dreamy San Francisco first look locations include:

Battery Spencer – Quiet and windswept with Golden Gate Bridge views that never disappoint.
Golden Gate Park – A fairytale-like bridges and gardens tucked away in Golden Gate Park, perfect for soft, floral-filled moments.
Conservatory of Flowers – Lush, tropical, and filled with natural beauty—great for something a little unexpected.

These spots provide gorgeous backdrops, but more importantly, they give space for you to be fully present with one another.

Best San Francisco Locations for Wedding Portraits

Once you’re officially married, the city becomes your playground. Here are a few iconic second locations to add to your San Francisco City Hall wedding photography:

Wedding at Ina Coolbrith Park in San Francisco, CA

1. Ina Coolbrith Park

Tucked into the hillside, this park offers some of the best skyline views in the city. It’s romantic, peaceful, and golden hour here? Pure magic.

2. Legion of Honor

Classic columns, museum steps, and that distant Golden Gate glow. This spot adds a regal, European feel to your gallery.

3. Palace of Fine Arts

One of San Francisco’s most iconic spots. The rotunda, reflecting pond, and soft architecture create the dreamiest scenes.

4. Sutro Baths

For the adventurous at heart—waves, cliffs, and dramatic ruins. Sunset here feels like stepping into a painting.

5. The Embarcadero

A sleek, modern city vibe with waterfront views and the iconic Ferry Building. Perfect for couples who love the energy of downtown.

6. Golden Gate Bridge Views

Whether from Baker Beach, Battery Spencer, or Crissy Field, we’ll find the best angle to capture this world-famous landmark as the backdrop to your love story.

7. The Redwoods

Yes, you can escape to the forest without leaving the Bay! A redwood grove adds a quiet, enchanted feel to your photos—towering trees, filtered light, and that earthy calm that makes you feel like the only two people in the world. The Oakland Redwoods and the trails around Mill Valley or Woodline in the Presidio are all amazing options close to the city.

The Power of Sunset Portraits

There’s something magical that happens in the hour before the sun dips below the horizon. The air softens. The light turns golden. And everything just… slows down.

Golden hour portraits are some of the most meaningful moments I get to capture. The rush of the ceremony is behind you, and for a little while, it's just the two of you, soaking in the quiet beauty of the day. Whether we’re on a cliffside trail, standing at the edge of the ocean, or tucked away in a quiet park, the photos we create during sunset feel unfiltered and real—like love in its purest form.

Planning your second location around sunset not only adds cinematic beauty to your gallery—it gives you intentional time together. A chance to pause, breathe, laugh, and hold each other in the softest, most romantic light of the day.

Turn It Into an Adventure: Plan Your Second Location for Another Day

If the timeline feels tight on your wedding day, or if you want the freedom to explore somewhere truly epic—why not plan your second photo session on a different day? This is what I love to call an adventure session. It’s relaxed, intentional, and lets you extend the celebration just a little longer.

Some couples choose to keep it local, while others use this as an excuse to travel somewhere unforgettable. Two of my favorite California destinations for post-wedding adventure sessions:

Big Sur

With its dramatic cliffs, winding Highway 1 views, and endless horizon lines, Big Sur is pure magic. Imagine dancing in the wind high above the ocean, wrapped in fog and golden light. It’s wild, romantic, and honestly, unforgettable.

Yosemite National Park

If you’ve ever dreamed of wedding portraits with towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and glowing alpine meadows—Yosemite is calling. The energy here is powerful and peaceful all at once. Whether we hike to Taft Point at sunset or wander through the valley floor, it’s a truly iconic backdrop for post-wedding photos.

The best part? You get to wear your wedding clothes again, relive the magic, and create something just for the two of you—no rush, no pressure, just you, your partner, and the beauty of California.

Wedding photos taken in Yosemite National Park

Let’s Tell the Full Story of Your Day

Your wedding day deserves to be fully celebrated—not rushed through, not squeezed into an hour. Whether you’re eloping or planning an intimate ceremony, this is still your wedding day. It’s the beginning of your marriage, your next chapter, your shared forever—and it should feel like the beautiful experience it is.

By choosing to add a second (or third!) location, you're giving yourselves permission to stretch out the joy. To explore the city you love, to feel every moment, and to document it in a way that reflects who you are. We’re not just capturing portraits—we’re capturing memories. The laughter, the nerves, the golden light on your skin. All of it matters.

Let your day unfold naturally, with space to be yourselves. I’ll be there to guide, photograph, and celebrate alongside you.

Learn more about how to turn your San Francisco City Hall Wedding into a full amazing day!

Let’s Plan Your Dream City Hall Wedding Photo Experience

Whether it’s an elegant hotel suite, a quiet garden, or a windswept coastline, I’ll help you plan the perfect second location for your San Francisco City Hall wedding photos. I’ll guide you through timing, lighting, and all the little details to make sure your gallery reflects the full beauty of your day.

Ready to dream up something unforgettable together?
Reach out here or explore my San Francisco City Hall wedding portfolio for inspiration.

Let’s make your wedding day feel just as magical as your love story.