A modern wedding guide to getting married inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece for couples who love architecture, history, and meaningful simplicity.

The Marin County Civic Center is one of the most remarkable places to get married in the Bay Area, though many couples do not realize it is even an option. While San Francisco City Hall is a very popular choice for civil ceremonies, the Civic Center offers something entirely different. It is serene, architectural, and quietly cinematic. It feels like a place where time moves a little slower. Where intimacy matters. Where design, nature, and history come together in a setting unlike any other.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright near the end of his life, the Civic Center was one of his final major commissions. Wright passed away in 1959 before construction was complete, and the project was carried forward by two of his most trusted associates, William Wesley Peters and Aaron Green. What stands today is a rare example of a government building created by one of America’s most influential architects, and the only federal commission Wright ever received. It is also one of the most beautiful and peaceful locations for an intimate wedding or civil ceremony in the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer, I have photographed nearly ten civil weddings here, and I created this guide because I want couples to understand why this venue is so special and how to plan a meaningful ceremony that feels effortless. For couples considering wedding venues in Northern California or exploring the broader San Francisco wedding venues landscape, the Civic Center is truly a hidden gem!

Running along the center of the atriums are lush, tropical plants.

The Architecture and Why It Matters for Your Wedding Frank Lloyd Wright was not from San Francisco, but he had a long and meaningful relationship with the region. He designed more than thirty Bay Area buildings, and he saw Marin County as an ideal landscape to explore his ideas about human centered design. The Marin County Civic Center reflects concepts from his Broadacre City vision of the 1930s, which imagined communities connected through thoughtful planning, open land, and architecture that felt optimistic rather than imposing.

The Civic Center campus was created to unify thirteen separate county departments under one cohesive plan. The result is extraordinary and includes:

● A three story, 580 foot Administration Building

● A four story, 880 foot Hall of Justice

● A circular library housed within a rotunda

● A 172 foot gold spire designed to contain both a radio transmitter and the boiler plant’s chimney

● A circular United States Post Office, the only federal commission Wright ever designed

The rotunda sits on the central hill and includes the county library and a cafeteria. Wright originally planned the open interior atriums (or “malls”) to be exposed to the sky. These were later enclosed with skylights designed by Peters, allowing natural light to filter gently through the building. Interior walls of glass allow light to permeate from the exterior and the central atriums, reinforcing Wright’s philosophy that government architecture should be transparent, accessible, and open.

The exteriors are finished in soft pink stucco, paired with the striking blue roof that curves across the hillside. Wright had envisioned a gold roof, but a durable material in that color did not exist at the time. After his death, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright selected a vivid blue shade that would weather gracefully and soften with age. The choice was initially controversial, and the Civic Center was even nicknamed “Big Pink,” but today the combination of blue rooflines and rose toned walls has become one of its defining features. The spire remains the primary gold element.

For your wedding, these architectural details become part of your story. The sweeping curves, rhythmic arches, and glowing atriums create an atmosphere of calm and beauty. Lush tropical plants line the central corridors, flourishing in the filtered natural light and adding a sense of vibrancy to the space. The light itself is ideal for photography, and the campus offers a range of backdrops that feel sculptural without overwhelming the emotion of the day. It is one of the rare government buildings where the design elevates the experience of getting married, making even the simplest ceremony feel intentional and artful. It is also one of the most architecturally fascinating wedding venues in the San Francisco Bay Area for couples who appreciate design, history, and authenticity.

Why Choose the Marin County Civic Center for Your Special Day

Couples are often surprised to learn they can get married here. Once they walk the hallways or see the reflecting pool, they understand why it is such a perfect setting for an intimate ceremony.

Couples often choose this venue because:

● It is incredibly peaceful

● The mid century modern design creates a cinematic backdrop for photos

● The building is filled with natural light

● Marin often holds personal significance for couples in the Bay Area

● The atmosphere feels intentional and unhurried

● The architecture makes even a simple wedding feel elevated

One of the entries into the Marin County Civic Center.

This is a space for couples who value design, history, simplicity, and meaning. For those searching for wedding venues in Northern California or unique Bay Area wedding venues, this location offers beauty that stands apart.

Details and Logistics for Getting Married at the Marin County Civic Center

Civil ceremonies at the Civic Center are performed by a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages from the County Clerk’s Office. Everything is by appointment, unless you decide to provide your own California ordained officiant.

Ceremony Days and Times with a Government Commissioner
Appointments are available:

● Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.

● Ceremonies cost $56.00

● To book an appointment, call 415 473 6772 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Where couples check in before their civil ceremony.

Checking In at the Recorder’s Office
Your wedding day will begin at the Recorder’s Office, where you will:

● Check in for your ceremony

● Complete your paperwork

● Pay the ceremony fee

● Have your witness sign your license if you are using a public license

If you choose a confidential marriage license, no witness is required. If you are planning a public marriage license, you must bring at least one witness with you to the ceremony. I am always happy to serve as both your photographer and witness if you would like a true elopement!

Ceremony Location Options
The county lists two official locations:

● The Garden Area with Reflecting Pool

● The Wedding Room which holds six people including the couple

While not listed as an official location, there is also a beautiful indoor nook beneath the skylights that is incredibly peaceful and serene for intimate ceremonies. This is a great option especially if you are bringing your own officiant and are don’t need to adhere to the time slots of the civil weddings performed by the government commissioners.

One of my favorite spots at the Marin County!

Monday or Friday Ceremony Options
After your marriage license is issued, you may also choose to be married by a priest, rabbi, minister, or other authorized officiant. This allows couples to plan Monday or Friday weddings, including Friday afternoon ceremonies that flow naturally into a weekend of celebration. Many couples do not realize this option exists, you just need to bring your own ordained officiant.

Do not forget that your marriage license is good for 90 days from its issue date.

You can bring your own officiant, and get married on a Friday!

What To Expect on Your Wedding Day

Just like at San Francisco City Hall, your day will move through a series of quiet, meaningful moments, each one photographed with intention. Here are some helpful tips to consider while planning your day:

Photography During Check In
Photography is usually allowed in the County Clerk's office, but if the office has other members of the public inside, the office may request that no photos be taken.

The Ceremony Itself
Ceremonies are short, often fewer than five minutes if you are being married by the government commissioner. The commissioner will guide you through your vows. Cameras are permitted. For safety reasons, nothing can be thrown in or around the Civic Center. Bubbles are allowed.

After the ceremony, we will take a photo with your commissioner as well as any family and guests in attendance. Then we will begin exploring the campus for the best portrait locations.

Photo Tips for the Civic Center
To prepare, please keep the following guidelines in mind for the best photos and experience:

● Bring minimal bags or have a family member carry them so you can stay hands free. As your photographer, I do not mind carrying a slim shoulder bag so that you can be hands free for photos.

● Consider bringing comfortable shoes to slip on and off as we will walk through the building and cross the grounds

● Avoid phones and keys in pockets, especially for jackets and trousers

● Do not forget your IDs or rings

● Consider hiring a professional hair and makeup artist if possible, as the skylit interiors can be humid and flatten hairstyles easily, and make skin shiny in the warmer months of the year.

● Personal flowers like a bouquet and boutonnière add some texture and flare!

Everything about this location supports photographs that feel timeless, modern, and authentic. It is one of the most inspiring wedding venues in the San Francisco Bay Area for couples who love architecture and meaningful simplicity.

A nearby Bay Area beach, about 15 minutes drive from the Marin County Civic Center.

Second Location
Many couples choose to add a second location after their ceremony. One of my couples brought their own officiant for a very personal ceremony at the Civic Center, then continued the day at the bride’s mother’s home garden nearby, a special and personal location. But also if you’d just like to have another backdrop that highlights the San Francisco Bay Area, we can head to a second location.

Here are some popular nearby options I recommend:

● Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints

● China Camp Beach

● Downtown Tiburon

● Scenic Marin Headland lookouts

These locations offer variety and help tell the full story of your wedding day. They are also ideal choices for couples searching for outdoor wedding venues in Northern California or scenic San Francisco Bay Area wedding photography locations.

A Calm and Guided Photography Experience My goal is to create a calm and comfortable experience so you can focus on each other. I will guide you through the process, offer location recommendations, help determine the best timing for light, and ensure that you feel supported from start to finish.

I have photographed multiple weddings at the Civic Center, so I know the best walkways, arches, and alcoves for portraits, as well as the lighting patterns throughout the day. I also help couples plan a simple timeline so the day feels smooth and effortless.

If you need a witness, I am happy to serve in that role. If you want a second location, I can help guide you. If you want your day to feel relaxed and intentional, that is exactly what I strive to create as a San Francisco wedding photographer and Bay Area wedding photographer.

Heading up the escalator to get married!

A Beautiful Beginning at a Remarkable Place The Marin County Civic Center is more than a place to sign paperwork. It is a masterpiece of design and one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most striking architectural legacies. It offers the simplicity of a civil wedding with the beauty of a world class landmark. For couples who want intimacy, intention, and a setting that feels both modern and timeless, it is a perfect choice within the landscape of Northern California wedding venues and San Francisco Bay Area wedding venues.

If this place resonates with you, I would love to photograph your elopement! Reach out through my contact form so we can begin planning your Marin County Civic Center wedding. It would be an honor to help you create a day that is peaceful, personal, and beautifully photographed.

In collaboration with The Lifestyle Historian.

Check out this elopement at Marin County Civic Center with some photos around San Francisco after.

Tying the Knot at the Marin County Civic Center