A Classic Ceremony at San Francisco’s Iconic City Hall

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For their intimate elopement-style wedding, Madeleine and Nicolas chose the timeless San Francisco City Hall as the location for their special day. Its grand architecture and historic charm made it the perfect setting for the couple’s simple yet elegant ceremony. From the morning spent getting ready at the Fairmont with close family to the heartfelt vows exchanged under the iconic City Hall dome, every moment was filled with love, joy, and personal touches.

Location: San Francisco, US
Style: Classic with retro vibes
Setting: California City Hall
Season: Spring

Madeleine and Nicolas met during their college days at California State University Monterey Bay, where a mutual friend’s party sparked what they both describe as “love at first sight.” Their proposal story, while a bit unconventional, is equally special. The couple made an appointment at the jewelry mart in San Francisco to choose Madeleine’s diamond and engagement ring together. After finalizing their choice, they spent the afternoon celebrating with lunch and champagne at a restaurant near Giants Stadium—a significant spot for Nick, a dedicated Giants fan.

Vision & Photography

The couple knew they wanted something small and intimate for their wedding, and the stunning architecture of San Francisco City Hall, with its historic charm, felt like the perfect setting. After a year of engagement, they began planning their ceremony, and their first decision was choosing their photographer. They selected Amanda Wei to capture every special moment, from the heartfelt ceremony to the beautiful portraits inside City Hall. The photographer also ventured with the couple into the bustling streets of San Francisco, preserving their love story against the city’s iconic views.

Madeleine’s wedding dress was from Anthropologie Weddings by BHLDN, with a shoulder-length veil adorned with an ivory satin bow. For her “something old,” she wore her grandmother’s pearl necklace, her great-grandmother’s gold wedding ring on her right hand, and diamond stud earrings that also belonged to her grandmother. Inspired by her love for Sex and the City, Madeleine incorporated a nod to the show by wearing the iconic blue satin Manolo Blahnik heels, just like Carrie Bradshaw. “I wanted to highlight the deep blue of the shoes,” she shared, so she chose a bouquet from Bloom Gallery Flowers in San Francisco with blue blooms complemented by oranges, pinks, and creams to create a stunning contrast. Her hair was curled and styled by herself, while her best friend Nicole, who also did her makeup, helped her get ready at the Fairmont Hotel. “My style was classic with a retro vibe,” she reflected, wearing an ivory strapless mini dress adorned with rhinestones and beading. Madeleine was thrilled and ready, feeling no nerves as she prepared for her big day.

Nicolas wore a Ted Baker suit in a unique shade of green that shifted between gray, blue-gray, and green depending on the light. He paired it with a white and blue striped dress shirt and a blue paisley tie to add dimension to his look. “We’re really into retro vibes from the ’60s and ’70s, so the paisley tie felt perfect,” Madeleine shared. The dark blue in his tie also complemented Madeleine’s blue Manolo Blahnik pumps, creating a cohesive look between the two. Nick’s boutonniere featured a simple white flower, adding a touch of elegance.

Just as City Hall opened, they met up with Amanda Wei, their photographer, and spent the first hour exploring the iconic building, capturing beautiful moments in its most stunning locations.

Ceremony

The ceremony at San Francisco City Hall was exactly what they had hoped for—intimate and meaningful. Though the actual ceremony was brief—a simple civil ceremony that lasted only a few minutes—it was filled with warmth and emotion. While Nicolas was just as excited as Madeleine to get married, his nerves showed a bit during the ceremony. He even shed a few happy tears, overcome with emotion during such a special moment.

After saying “I do,” plenty of smiles and heartfelt hugs were shared between the newlyweds and Madeleine’s parents, making the moment truly special.

Instead of a traditional reception, the newlyweds opted for a more intimate, elopement-style celebration. “Our ceremony was over by 10 am,” Madeleine shared. Afterward, they enjoyed a relaxed breakfast before heading back to the Fairmont for wedding cake and champagne. The evening continued with dinner at the iconic House of Prime Rib, followed by a fun nightcap at the Tonga Room, located in their hotel. It was the perfect way to wrap up their special day. The next day, they flew out to Oahu to start their honeymoon, ready to embrace the next chapter of their lives together.

Advice from the couple:

• My advice would be to do exactly what you want to do, don’t do what your parents want, or what’s trendy, or what society wants, do exactly what you want for your wedding day.