Stepping into San Francisco City Hall always gives me goosebumps, even after all these years. This Beaux-Arts monument feels as grand as a European palace. Its soaring copper dome - 42 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol’s - creates an immediate "wow" factor. Light filters down from the dome and tall arched windows, bouncing softly off white marble walls. This awe-inspiring atmosphere isn’t just eye candy – it changes how photos turn out. The high ceilings and open spaces flood rooms with glow; columns and curved staircases provide elegant frames. Every time I step inside, I’m struck by how the light dances across the floors, ceilings, and the happy couple before me.
It's long past time for me to detail the many architectural masterpieces that make wedding photos stand out at SF City Hall. So in this post, I'll go through each one and how I use it in wedding photography.
The Grand Staircase
On the ground floor, the Grand Staircase is SF City Hall’s crown jewel. Sixty rectangular marble steps sweep up in a wide, graceful curve, flanked by ornate brass-and-iron railings. The staircase was designed to be the centerpiece of the building, and it shows – every view feels cinematic.
Crowds can be a challenge here – this is the most requested photo spot in City Hall, and tourists love it too. If you dream of an empty staircase, plan for an early slot, ideally when the building opens first thing in the morning. Also, earlier in the week tends to be less crowded than a Friday. That's not a hard and fast rule, just a tendency that I've observed over time.
The Rotunda
At the top of that Grand Staircase is the Rotunda – literally the heart of City Hall. The Rotunda is a vast open space under the dome and the effect is magical in wedding photos: the couple is bathed in soft light from above, surrounded by soaring arches and carved friezes. Every angle reveals more details of the architecture – for example, the carved cherubs and Joseph Strauss-designed railing of the Mayor’s Balcony above. In short, the Rotunda’s colossal dome and circular floorplan turn any wedding moment into a sweeping tableau.
The Mayor’s Balcony
Just above the Rotunda on the second floor is the Mayor’s Balcony (under the big clock). This is a smaller, more private ceremony spot – about 40 people can fit – but it packs a big visual punch. It overlooks the Grand Staircase and faces the Rotunda. In photos, it looks like a secret Juliet’s balcony. Light-wise, the balcony is blessed with light, but not as much as on the fourth floor. It's also not as private as the fourth floor. This is why I personally recommend that couples choose private weddings on the fourth floor instead. However, on a rare sunny day, the building’s top-floor skylight illuminates this area indirectly, and the two large arches on either side flood it with soft daylight. As you can see in the photos below, you definitely still get gorgeous photos at this spot.
The Fourth Floor Gallery
The Fourth Floor Gallery (sometimes called the 4th Floor Balcony) is another favorite for multiple reasons. On this level, huge tall windows on three sides let in tons of natural light (by far the most in the building). Visually, the 4th-floor corridor is stunning. Polished marble floors mirror chandeliers and archways above. The long row of windows often frames the backs of couples embracing. One of my go-to shots is the couple sharing a moment in front of one of these windows. It makes those portraits glow.
Perimeter Staircase and Hidden Corners
Beyond the main staircase, City Hall has smaller “perimeter” staircases tucked along the sides of the Rotunda on each floor. These aren’t as famous, but I’ve grown to love them for intimate shots. Picture a narrower curved stair or hallway with polished banisters and columns – it feels like a secret wing of the building. If you want a quiet moment away from the crowds, these stairs are gold. They add variety to the big spaces and often result in special moments that feel all your own.
The Entrance
Finally, don’t forget the grand entrance. There actually are two of them! The huge bronze doors and marble-paved lobby are picture-perfect. I love starting or ending a session here: ask your friends to line the wide steps outside, or just grab each other’s hand and step through the archway, and I’ll capture it. It’s formal but romantic – the moment you step into (or out of) City Hall together, framed by its columns, is one you’ll want immortalized.
In every corner of City Hall, architecture and light work together to tell your story. As someone who’s shot here hundreds of times, I’ve learned when to go wide (to capture soaring domes and staircases) and when to zoom in (for those soft portraits in a shaft of light). My advice: embrace the building. Run up the stairs, swing around the balcony railings, lean on a pillar – the grand design of the space will lift every photo. And remember, this place can get crowded. We’ll plan our timing, so lean on me during your session and you won't have to worry about a thing. Just remember that no matter what, the architectural drama of City Hall always comes through.
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