A San Francisco Elopement Day to Remember: City Hall, Japantown & Pigeon Point Lighthouse

This full-day San Francisco elopement took us from City Hall to Japantown and all the way down the coast to Pigeon Point Lighthouse, with good food, private vows, ocean views, and pizza to celebrate.

After photographing M + M's engagement session at Montalvo Arts Center, their elopement day finally arrived, and it was everything. We all piled into the same car early in the morning and drove to San Francisco together, which honestly set the tone perfectly. This was going to be a full day of adventure with people I genuinely adore!

Planning a Full-Day Bay Area Elopement

One of my favorite things about elopements is that they do not have to fit into one location or one timeline. M + M’s day moved from the elegance of San Francisco City Hall to the color and energy of Japantown, then all the way down the coast for private vows at Pigeon Point Lighthouse. If you are planning a Bay Area elopement, think about the places that actually feel like you: where you want to eat, explore, laugh, slow down, and soak it all in.

Starting Their San Francisco Elopement at City Hall

We arrived at City Hall early, and if you've never been there first thing in the morning- do it. The grand staircase, the rotunda, all of it, completely to ourselves. We moved through every iconic spot without worrying about crowds, and the light was gorgeous.

After portraits we headed to Room 160 to check in and wait for the judge. There was a small mix-up where the judge moved on to another couple while we were still waiting, but we laughed it off, grabbed more photos, and got it sorted. Once the paperwork was done — and I got to sign as their witness, which I was so honored to do — we made our way up to the top of the rotunda where M + M officially got married. From there, we worked our way down from the fourth floor to the doors.

Exploring Japantown After Their City Hall Ceremony

Next up: food. Because M + M are serious foodies and you simply do not skip a meal on your wedding day. We headed to Japantown and spent time just wandering- good eats, a sweet treat, some browsing, and some of the most fun and unexpected photos of the whole day. Japantown has such a unique energy and it made for really cool, one-of-a-kind shots that you just can't get anywhere else.

Private Vows at Pigeon Point Lighthouse

For the final stop we drove down to Pigeon Point Lighthouse, and it was stunning. We found a spot where M + M could exchange their private vows with the ocean as their backdrop. It was windy, it was dramatic, the clouds were rolling in and the sun was playing hide and seek, and honestly? It was awesome. Exactly the kind of real, alive, atmospheric moment that I live for.

We ended the day with pizza, which is the only correct way to celebrate getting married.

Thank you M + M for letting me be part of your day and for trusting me to execute my vision. I had so much fun with you both. Can't wait till the next time we create something together ✨