Elopements

Intimate San Francisco City Hall Elopement | Kathy & Ian

September 18, 2024

Kathy & Ian’s intimate San Francisco City Hall elopement day was so beautiful and elegant from start to finish. This couple made the day all about sharing their love with their closest friends and family, and every detail was chef’s kiss. From their gorgeous Airbnb to the stunning florals, every part of their day was incredibly thoughtful!

bride and groom at the gorgeous San Francisco city hall for their elopement

Getting Ready & First Look at the Airbnb

The couple started their day at a beautiful Airbnb. And let me tell you, Kathy, the beautiful bride, was looking regal! She was giving off all the timeless, sophisticated vibes, and the Airbnb added that extra touch of elegance, making it feel like something out of a movie. 

After the couple got ready separately, they shared a sweet and intimate first look. They also took a moment to sit down with each other and exchange private vows. This really was such a perfect way to kick off the day!

bride and groom first look


Kathy & Ian’s San Francisco City Hall Elopement Minimony

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most iconic places to get married, and Kathy and Ian’s ceremony and photos here were nothing short of stunning! The grand architecture, the elegance… it was all just perfect for their intimate minimony. They kept it small with just a few close loved ones, and that made it even more special.

After the ceremony, we took some gorgeous photos inside the City Hall. City Hall is perfect for elegant, timeless wedding photos with its soaring ceilings, ornate architecture, and soft natural light. If you want to take your photos here as well, the Grand Staircase, balcony and the elevator are great options, but honestly, everywhere is beautiful in there! We might just need to work around crowds!

San Francisco city hall elopement ceremony

Picturesque Pier Photos & Reception 

After their ceremony and photos at the City Hall, we headed to one of San Francisco’s piers for a few more portraits. The water views, moody skies and the Bay Bridge in the distance were giving us perfect backdrops for the photos!

Their reception lunch took place at La Mar Cocina Peruana, a luxury restaurant known for its incredible cuisine and the vibes there were immaculate. They reserved Meson del Chef aka the Chef’s Table, which can be booked for up to 22 guests. It was perfect for their intimate wedding celebration.

Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Kathy and Ian enjoyed the best Peruvian food and all the love and laughter you could ask for. It was the perfect way to wrap up their amazing day! 

bride and groom on the pier in san francisco
cute doggy with a floral necklace for a wedding

Client Love

“We recently asked Joyce to be our photographer for our wedding at the San Francisco City Hall and we loved her. She was very friendly and provided great guidance on where to take photos and how to pose. Joyce was gracious and courteous and was always willing to work with any requests that we had, but we didn’t have many since we were already happy with the direction that Joyce was giving us. 

We received the photos a couple months later and they turned out much better than we expected! Joyce really captured the best moments and the overall euphoric atmosphere of the day! We really could not be happier with how the photos came out and look forward to another opportunity working with Joyce again. Thank you so much!”

bride and groom on the pier in san francisco

Are You Planning Your Intimate San Francisco City Hall Elopement?

If you’re inspired by Kathy and Ian’s San Francisco City Hall elopement and dreaming of your own intimate day surrounded by those you love most, I’d love to help capture those moments. Whether you’re planning a chic city minimony or a cozy Airbnb celebration, let’s work together to make your wedding day feel as special and memorable as you’ve always dreamed. 

You can learn more about me and my packages here! And when you’re ready, just reach out to me here!
Dress designer: @ladypipa, Florist: @thetravelingstem , Suit: @macys

get to know joyce

I’m here for the lovers who are wildly in love with each other and with the world around them. Couples who believe in living life to the fullest, who crave adventure and new experiences, and who want a wedding that reflects that. I’m here for the couples who want to do things their way, with intention.

 — traveling wedding photographer based on the west coast.

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Stanley & Nicole

"I can look back on my wedding day and feel like I'm reliving it just by looking at these pictures."

Eddie & Serene

"She took great pics on my wedding day, capturing individual beauty as well as group spirit."

Elisa

Joyce knows how to get you to pose really well and is great at choosing photo locations."

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