How to Elope in San Francisco – San Francisco Elopement Photographer

San Francisco – with its pastel colored homes, beaches right in the city, and countless trails and scenic spots around the Bay Area – is one of the best places to elope in California for couples who want to tie the knot in the city, or escape into nature (or both)! If you’re planning your own San Francisco elopement, I’m here to help make sure it’s nothing short of incredible. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to tie the knot, from a San Francisco elopement photographer who’s helped countless couples plan their one of a kind day!

Here’s what you’ll find in this San Francisco elopement guide:

1. The Best Time to Elope in San Francisco
2. Finding a San Francisco Elopement Photographer
3. The Best Places to Elope in San Francisco
4. Getting Legally Married When You Elope in San Francisco
5. Sample San Francisco Elopement Timelines
6. San Francisco Elopement Packages

The Best Time to Elope in San Francisco

San Francisco’s weather is pretty mild, so there’s truly no bad time to elope in the Bay Area! But the best time to elope in San Francisco is fall – especially September. Believe it or not, this is actually the warmest month. Because San Francisco’s famous fog (whose name is actually Karl) tends to hang around for most of the year, the temperatures get a few degrees warmer when the fog clears out in September. Fall is also less busy than summer, which means you can avoid the crowds and get some more privacy for your elopement day!

Winter and spring see mild temperatures, though it’s much rainier in the winter, and often very foggy in the spring. Summer is the most popular time to visit, so while the weather is warm and there are lots of festivals going on, you’ll have a little more trouble getting some privacy. 

Finding a San Francisco Elopement Photographer

Not to toot my own horn, but finding a San Francisco elopement photographer for your day will be the best thing you can do for yourself! I help my couples with every part of the planning process – because I want your day to be stress free, and custom tailored to the two of you. I’ll give you a list of places to elope in San Francisco, help you get the right permits, create a custom timeline, and anything else you’ll need throughout this whole thing! I recommend thinking about when you want to elope in San Francisco first – it doesn’t have to be an exact date yet, but having a season or timeframe will help us find a day that works. 

Once that’s done, you can reach out to me, and we’ll start the process of planning your elopement – and I’ll handle it all from there.

Want to get to know your San Francisco elopement photographer first? 

Find out more about me here!

The Best Places to Elope in San Francisco

There are beaches right in the city, along with more secluded spots outside of town. To get you inspired for your elopement day, here are a few of the best places to elope in San Francisco.

Land’s End

One of the most beautiful places in the city is Land’s End. This place is easily accessible, and located right in the city – so it’s one of the best places to elope in San Francisco if you don’t want to travel too far. There’s a loop trail that’s a little over 3 miles long, but there are countless overlooks and places to stop along the way, so you can make this a shorter walk, or a longer one with detours to more scenery.

Marin Headlands

The Marin Headlands are just outside of the city, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll find incredible views of the bridge and the ocean, and the coastal bluffs, rolling hills, and gorgeous beaches make this one of the best places to elope in San Francisco!  

Mount Tamalpais State Park

For a different view of the Bay Area, you can explore the rolling hills, forested trails, and Redwoods found in Mount Tamalpais State Park. This is one of the best places to elope in San Francisco for hikes, and many of them lead to vistas over the ocean!

Getting Legally Married When You Elope in San Francisco

If you plan to get legally married during your San Francisco elopement, you’ll need to do a little bit of paperwork! 

A marriage license is the piece of paper that makes you married in the eyes of the government, so the first step is to get one of these. You can do this at any county clerk’s office in the state of California, so if you live in the state, it’s likely easiest to find one close to home. There is an office in San Francisco, and you’ll need to go in person to get your marriage license – so if you’re traveling, give yourself enough time to do this.

You’ll fill out the application ahead of time, which you can find online. Bring this with you to the county clerk’s office, along with a photo ID and $113 for the marriage license. You’ll get your marriage license the same day, and it can be used right away – and expires after 90 days.

When you elope, you’ll need an officiant and one witness to sign the marriage license.

Sample San Francisco Elopement Timelines

Part of my job as a San Francisco elopement photographer is creating a timeline for each couple. Your elopement is about the experience, so plan something truly amazing! This isn’t just a ceremony and a few photos – it’s about making sure you have the best day ever. 

To get you inspired, here are some sample San Francisco elopement timelines!

Land’s End Elopement With Family

10:00 Hair and makeup begins 

10:30 I arrive at the Airbnb – detail photos of rings, accessories, etc

11:00 Getting ready photos

12:00 Put on wedding attire

12:30 First look outside the Airbnb, a few couple’s photos after

1:30 Walk to Land’s End 

2:00 Ceremony at overlook

2:30 Family Photos

3:30 Picnic with family

5:00 Family goes back to Airbnb, 

       Couple hikes Land’s end trail for sunset photos

7:00 Walk back to Airbnb for dinner with family

Mount Tamalpais State Park Elopement

10:00 Hair and makeup begins 

10:30 I arrive at the Airbnb – detail photos of rings, accessories, etc

11:00 Getting ready photos

12:00 Drive to Mount Tamalpais

12:45 Put on wedding attire

1:15 First look at trailhead

1:45 Begin hiking

3:30 Arrive at summit, snack break

4:00 Ceremony

4:30 Couple’s photos & exploring

6:00 Hike back down

San Francisco Elopement Packages

As a San Francisco elopement photographer, I want to make sure your wedding isn’t just a copy and paste – you deserve a day that’s unique, personal, and true to who you are. It should be a reflection of your relationship, so my San Francisco elopement packages include everything you need to plan your day!

San Francisco elopement packages start at $4800, and here’s what you get:

• Unlimited planning assistance and consultations
• Location recommendations
• Vendor recommendations
• Places to stay and things to do
• A custom elopement timeline
• 4+ hours of elopement photography coverage