Elopement Tips I Share with Every Couple
I've been an elopement planner and wedding photographer for over a decade, and I definitely have a short list of must- have elopement advice for every couple I work with. As the years go on, the list gets longer, but you have the benefit of this blog, so you don't make mistakes that could derail your peace on your wedding day. These tips are common sense and are designed to keep you focused on each other, not to distract you with issues I can easily help you avoid. So, gentle reader, let's get started.
1. Long before you get to San Francisco City Hall, you'll be choosing your wedding day outfit.
If you'll be wearing a wedding dress, this is what you'll want to do: Most dresses need some alterations, and I'd suggest bringing the foundation wear that you'll wear on your wedding day with you. If you can have bra cups built into the dress, that's an excellent choice. If you can't, then buy undergarments that match your skin tone most closely. Have your tailor check that there is no gaping at the bust, that the straps do not slide down, and that bra straps are not showing under your arm or across your back. Please don't assume your photographer can edit the bra straps out of two hundred pictures. (Please:)
If you are wearing a suit, make a checklist before your wedding day of every single piece you will be wearing. I can't tell you whether many folks have forgotten their shoes and shirts, cufflinks, and even, once, their pants. If you are renting a tux, try it on again a few days before your event, because the alterations are often off, and some pieces may be missing. That's not something you want to discover on the wedding morning.
2. What's the best beauty tip before my wedding day?
Hydrate with intention the day (or week) before your wedding. Drinking water on your wedding day is too late, won't give you that plump, dewy skin. Eat a good breakfast, including protein, to keep you going through this emotional and exciting day. Don't just chug caffeine, get cranky, and power through; be grounded, present, and joyful.
3. When is the best time to get married at San Francisco City Hall?
The most magical time to visit Francisco City Hall for wedding photography is 8:00 am on a weekday, preferably Monday through Wednesday. Between 8:00 am and 8:30 am is likely to be the absolute quietest, and you'd be amazed at how good it feels to have that huge grand staircase all to yourselves for those once-in-a-lifetime bride and groom pictures. After that, you'll be able to sneak onto the Mayor's Balcony before they set up for the first wedding of the day at that location. Candid couples photography works very well here, as the two of you gaze out over the stunning atrium and stroll hand in hand across its polished sandstone floor. If you aren't an early-morning person, we still suggest booking your SF City Hall civil ceremony or one-hour wedding (on the Mayor's Balcony or 4th Floor North) by 11:00 am at the latest, with a 10:00 am start time for wedding photography. Why? Because on any given day, the grand staircase can close at 12 noon to set up for a private evening event. These dates are not shared with the public, so come early to avoid disappointment.
4. One very nice benefit of a morning wedding is that it can lead you and your guests to a lovely brunch.
This is a more cost-effective option than evening dining and seems perfectly natural to flow from your wedding venue into your celebration. Here are my top picks for brunch restaurants after San Francisco City Hall, and the first features a circular stained-glass ceiling and a full glass front that shows off the palm trees of Union Square. The service is classic, old-school, and very attentive.
My second choice is the Garden Court at the Palace Hotel. This selection is in the historic Palace Hotel, built around the same time as San Francisco City Hall, so your wedding photography portfolio will align with a grand, historic vibe. Even better, you can check in and take your first look at pictures here as you emerge from your hotel room.
The Rotunda At Neiman Marcus 150 Stockton St
Opens at 11:00 am
The Garden Court 2 New Montgomery St
Opens 6:30 am
5. Work in some time for the two of you.
After every couple seals the deal with a kiss, I ask them to wander off and have five or ten moments to bask in the glory of what just happened. You won't have another opportunity to be alone again, unless you didn't include guests in your wedding day. Or you can start your morning with a special coffee-and-pastry party for two. SF has some amazing bakeries for extra special treats. (I still mean what I said about getting some protein, though!)
Another option, for shy/private couples, is to keep your vows just between the two of you and leave them out of the wedding ceremony altogether. We can plan a private, picturesque location and set you up where we can see you with our zoom lens, but can't hear your spoken word. Take this pocket of time to connect and share what's in your hearts. You'll have the pictures and the privacy.
6. Plan a grand exit! This is your chance to really show your personalities and create some one-of-a-kind wedding pictures that you won't see anyone else with. If you have a family member with a classic beauty in their garage, that's the natural choice. But if you aren't so lucky, the Bay Area has several companies that supply vintage luxury for you to ride off into the sunset together. I'm happy to make suggestions, so please reach out for more details.
