Elope In San Francisco: The Ultimate 2021 Guide to San Francisco Elopement Packages

Places to elope in San Francisco

San Francisco City Hall San Francisco City Hall

This beautiful building is a Bay Area icon and favorite for weddings. The marble interior and massive dome make for fantastic photo opportunities to capture your wedding day. Civil ceremonies...

Fay Park Fay Park

Located on the northeast slope of Russian Hill, a romantic, intimate, and quiet city park awaits. The Fay Park Garden and sundial with the inscription, “Grow old along with me,...

China Cabin China Cabin

Elope on a former steamer ship that is fully grounded now. Enjoy amazing views of the San Francisco skyline and nearby harbor. Venue rental fee applies

Elope on a Bay Ferry Elope on a Bay Ferry

Elope on a San Francisco Bay Ferry for an exciting water crossing with views of the city, islands, and marine life

San Francisco Botanical Garden San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, showcasing more than 8,000 different kinds of plants...

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San Francisco Elopement Packages

Whether you’re seeking a photographer for your city hall ceremony or the full package so you don’t have to worry about a thing, we can customize our services to meet your needs to elope in San Francisco.

Take a look at our San Francisco elopement packages here. If you have any questions, click the button below and we’ll be in touch shortly!

Services and Packages

Seed

Officiation services

Personalization of vows
Enactment of ceremony

Advice on obtaining wedding license
Advice on ceremony locations

Starting at

$550

Sprout

Everything from the

SEED PACKAGE
Photography of ceremony

Brief portrait session after
(up to one hour of photography)
Digital transfer of 75+ edited images

Delivery of Photos (15 days or less after ceremony)

*You can add on extra hours of photography after booking

Starting at

$1,250

Bloom

Everything from the

SPROUT PACKAGE
Nosegay bouquet & boutonniere of your choosing

*You can add on extra hours of photography after booking

Starting at

$1,500

Oasis

Everything from the

BLOOM PACKAGE
2 Hours Total of Photography
1 Hour of Videography
Long-form video of ceremony & 1-2 Minute Highlight Reel
Hair & Makeup for One Person
On-Site Helper

*You can add on extra hours of photography after booking

Starting at

$3,950

Simply Eloped has been seen in

I absolutely loved everything about this service. Everyone involved, Olivia and Keely, were so helpful and were able to accommodate my needs in an incredibly short amount of time. Amazing!

Wilma and Marco

Simply Eloped made everything super easy for us, our wedding was perfect!

Alicia and Collin

Thank you so much Simply Eloped. Love prevailed amongst all the uncertainty of today’s world. Largely thanks to you all!! Many many thanks!

Michelle and Tyler

Working with Simply Eloped was easy and stress free.

Fabiola and Steve

All in all it was amazing. We’re both so happy. Jeff kept saying how wonderful our fun day was (he wished it was longer lol) and the way this process was setup made it easy for the two of us to make decisions together on things. Thank you!

Jessica and Jeffrey

We couldn’t be more please with how our day went with our team; Ben and Melati. They were absolutely wonderful and made sure we got exactly what we wanted. Thank you!

Sarah and Shawn

I would recommend Simply Eloped to any couple looking for a non-traditional ceremony. Thank you!

Ellissa and Chance

Thank you for an amazing and stress free ceremony!

Anne and Nathaniel

Very happy with the process, and had a great wedding with Simply Eloped – thank you.

Benjamin and Priscilla

Meet our vendors

Bradley, Photographer

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

You enter into a sweet world with so few distractions other than the natural beauty of the landscape around you and your absolute closest loved ones.

What do you love about the work you do?

I love connecting with folks while finding the flavor of love they have between them and carefully photographing those small moments that make them feel alive and whole with one another.

Melati, Photographer

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

The Bay Area gives you a little bit of everything – a stunningly diverse urban environment (name any type of cuisine – I guarantee that we have it!), and also easy access to incredible natural hideaways, like our California redwoods or the coastline. There really is something for everyone here!

What’s a fun fact about you?

Once upon a time I was a circus kid…I can juggle, unicycle, and walk on stilts!

Sarah, Officiant

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

The Bay Area is unique in that within one day you can find yourself on the ocean, in a fantastic city, in wine county and in stunning redwood-forested hills. To me this region actually does have it all.

What’s your favorite elopement venue in San Francisco?

Redwood Regional Park. Hands down. It’s absolutely perfect.

How to elope in San Francisco

San Francisco has something to offer for every kind of elopement vibe you may be seeking! Be it stunning redwood trees, San Francisco City Hall or Presidio Park, we offer San Francisco elopements of all types in the surrounding SF area. Beyond choosing a stunning venue, there are other components that go into planning a perfect elopement – read below for our top considerations when planning your San Francisco elopement.

Finding the right San Francisco vendors

Your wedding professionals are a key part to ensuring you feel comfortable and secure on your big day. Our recommended gauge is that if you can have an hour-long cup of coffee with your vendor and enjoy it, that’s a great sign they’re a good fit for your special ceremony! Our top cost-conscious tip is to book an elopement package as opposed to booking individual services as doing so can help you save money. This will also contribute to the planning of your elopement going smoother as you’ll have one contact as opposed to multiple!

Where should I elope in San Francisco?

From one of the most beautiful city halls in the nation to San Francisco beach weddings, San Francisco is a hub for super lovely, unique elopement destinations. Definitely plan on booking your venue prior to solidifying your hotel details as many of our San Francisco destinations are located outside of city limits. If you’re looking for glamour and practicality, San Francisco City Hall is simply unmatched. With marble interiors and columns, a grand staircase that’s something out of a fairytale, and a massive ornate dome ceiling that makes for unbelievable photos, this Bay Area building is nothing short of iconic. If nature is more your thing, take a glimpse at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, filled with 55 acres of manicured gardens and lush foliage that make you feel as though you’ve stepped into somewhere downright magical.

How do I make my San Francisco elopement legal?

Getting your marriage license in San Francisco is relatively pretty streamlined. You both will need a form of identification – official passport, Military ID or Driver’s license all work. You’ll also need an official copy of your divorce decree if either of you have previously been married. There is no mandatory waiting period between when you get your license and hold your ceremony, and the State of California only requires one witness at your ceremony, which your photographer can easily act as! Your marriage license is good for 90 days between acquiring the document and holding your ceremony.

What time of year should I elope in San Francisco?

Tourist season starts in June and doesn’t let up until early September, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, we would definitely recommend eloping in San Francisco mid-September to late-May. Even during these shoulder months, it’s always a good idea to ensure there aren’t any large conferences or festivals happening during the dates you are hoping to visit. For instance, the whole Bay area is packed to the brim during Pride Festival, which takes place in June. There are also tech conferences that take place that can sell out hotels, so it’s always good to check event calendars prior to booking your trip.

What time of day should I elope in San Francisco?

It’s pretty regular for San Francisco to have foggy mornings and evenings so if you’re eloping during these hours you may just prepare yourself! Though you may hit a patch of fog during these hours, the soft lighting of mornings and early evenings will definitely be the best for lighting during your portraits! We suggest avoiding the afternoon lighting, unless you’re able to elope in a park or tree grove.

How far in advance should I start planning my San Francisco elopement?

This is a question we get all of the time and it’s a great one! While we can plan ceremonies with as little advanced notice as a week, we definitely recommend giving yourself three to nine months to plan your elopement trip. It’s crucial to get additional details for your trip locked in – such as hotel, flights, reservations and marriage license – and it’s best to give yourself a bit of time to lock in all of these other details. However, whatever your time-window for planning your elopement in San Francisco, can accommodate!

Article written by

Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot. She feels her happiest when building - teams, programs, ideas

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Read the real stories of couples that eloped in San Francisco!

Sam + Seamus

When you think of bohemian chic elopement, you’re likely going to land something close to what Sam and Seamus’s ceremony looked like. After a romantic engagement in the elevator of the MET Museum, these two eloped tucked deep in the San Francisco Botanical Garden just the two of them. Read more on their story about how the fell in love, when they ‘knew’ and why they chose to elope in San Francisco.

What attracted you to a San Francisco elopement?

Sam: Being married in nature was important to us and when we saw the Moon Viewing Garden at the SFBG (San Francisco Botanical Garden) we knew it was so unique and we just had to have our ceremony at that exact spot.

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

Sam: We are east coasters who have never been to San Francisco so we spent the days leading up to the wedding exploring the city. Museums, food, local art exhibits. There wasn’t much for us to prepare for because Simply Eloped had it covered! We both didn’t feel nervous we we’re excited and we knew the day would be perfect.

How did you celebrate after?

Sam: We retreated back to our AirBnB to relax. Which meant binging Netflix and eating tacos in bed. Later that evening we had a proper dinner at the Foreign Cinema in San Francisco.

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Samantha + Justin

Samantha & Justin may have grown up in the same town, but it took an online meeting to bring on the first date. Samantha says that Justin “felt like home,” which is one of the best first impressions we have ever heard. These two rolled with changing plans like pros. They feel that every change that had to be made, from the ceremony venue to the honeymoon, ended up for the better. Simply Eloped worked with the Florida couple to have the quintessential San Francisco elopement at Crissy Field. The stunning photos show the iconic Golden Gate Bridge witnessing their exchange of vows on a perfect, misty California morning. You are going to love their honeymoon adventures that spanned snow to the beach – sometimes in one day!

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination?

Samantha: We eloped in San Francisco. We had initially planned to elope in San Francisco City Hall then cruise out of the port there to Alaska. This plan had been in the works a long time when COVID happened. Instead, we kept our airfare and decided to explore California for two weeks (the duration of the initial cruise) since we had never been.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Samantha: We got married right next to the bay water. It was cloudy and cool out, again, typical San Francisco from what we hear. It was just magical- the sound of waves and seagulls, mist in the air, everything felt fresh and crisp. We are from Florida so we are used to the ocean- but in May our weather is completely different- and it is never cool and misty, foggy, or as enchanting.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Samantha: We had a spectacular honeymoon being tourists in San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite. We visited tourist destinations like Alcatraz but then also did off-the-beaten-path excursions. My favorite memory was getting caught in a snowstorm on the top of a mountain in the Sierra Nevada National Forest when we rented a UTV. We were not dressed for it- and it was a total surprise. Living in Florida and being an educator that typically vacations in the summer, I had not seen snow since I was nine years old! I was beyond excited. The next day we were in Monterey, soaking up the sun at the beach and watching sea lions. California has a little bit of everything. And we made so many amazing memories on our honeymoon.

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Cheryl + Arnont

Arnont & Cheryl love to adventure together. They met on an ATV trip, and Arnont proposed after an eleven-mile hike up to a glacier! They even chose to elope where they had their first hike together. Simply Eloped helped them plan a friends and family-friendly wedding under the tall trees of Muir Woods near San Francisco. The sounds of the forest surrounded them as they exchanged vows, and afterward, they celebrated with a supper in the city. Find out why they are so happy that Simply Eloped professionals were with them for their forest elopement.

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination?

Cheryl & Arnont: We eloped at Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, CA. We chose it because it was one of our first hikes together and because it is unbelievably beautiful!

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

Cheryl & Arnont: We wanted to have an outdoor wedding surrounded by tall trees and away from the city. Muir Woods felt like a hidden gem. Just an hour north of San Francisco. The trail is nicely maintained and wheelchair/kid stroller friendly. The area is beautifully surrounded by majestic red wood trees soaring higher than some of the buildings in San Francisco. Also, the sounds of the nearby stream and morning birds chirping made it that much more serene. The trail was perfect for all ages, and the site was not far away from the big city so people could explore and rest after our ceremony before heading out to our wedding dinner.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Cheryl & Arnont: We had a beautiful dinner at RH Rooftop Marin, with our close friends and family.

Go back up

Elope in San Francisco

Why is San Francisco awesome

Places to elope in San Francisco

San Francisco Elopement Packages

Officiation services

Enactment of ceremony

Advice on ceremony locations

Everything from the

Photography of ceremony

Digital transfer of 75+ edited images

Everything from the

Nosegay bouquet & boutonniere of your choosing

Everything from the

2 Hours Total of Photography

1 Hour of Videography

Long-form video of ceremony & 1-2 Minute Highlight Reel

Hair & Makeup for One Person

On-Site Helper

Wildflower Experience

Add-Ons

Extra Photography

Extra Photography

Flowers

Flowers

Engagement Shoot

Engagement Shoot

Hair & Makeup

Hair & Makeup

On-Site Helper

On-Site Helper

Add videography to your San Francisco elopement

San Francisco Elopement Gallery

Simply Eloped has been seen in

Meet our vendors

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

What do you love about the work you do?

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

What’s a fun fact about you?

What do you think makes eloping in San Francisco so special?

What’s your favorite elopement venue in San Francisco?

Our Team

How to elope in San Francisco

Finding the right San Francisco vendors

Where should I elope in San Francisco?

How do I make my San Francisco elopement legal?

What time of year should I elope in San Francisco?

What time of day should I elope in San Francisco?

How far in advance should I start planning my San Francisco elopement?

Janessa White

Reading corner

Eloping vs Wedding: What's the Difference?

How to Plan a Small Wedding in California

How to Elope: A Step-by-Step Guide

Eloping Etiquette: Here's Everything You Need To Know

101 Elopement Dresses That Are Completely Show-Stopping

Sam and Seamus's Bohemian Chic Elopement at San Francisco Botanical Garden

What attracted you to a San Francisco elopement?

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

How did you celebrate after?

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination?

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination?

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

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