Book City Hall for your wedding or event

How holds work

• If you find a date you love but aren't quite ready to commit, you can place a free hold to give yourself a little extra time to finalize your plans.
• Holds expire, are not a confirmed booking, and can be challenged.
• Unless you get challenged, holds last:
  • 30 days (one-hour wedding)
  • 90 days (two-hour wedding and full evening event)
• If your hold is challenged, you have 2 business days to sign the digital contract and pay the deposit, or release the date to the couple who challenged you.

What is a "challenge"

• A formal process that gives the current holder a deadline to either sign the digital contract and pay the deposit, or release the date.
• If someone is holding the date you want, you can file a challenge.

Rules to know before you challenge

• One challenge at a time: You cannot challenge multiple dates at once. If you don't win, you can initiate a new challenge for a different date.
• Deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable if you win: If you choose to cancel, your deposit cannot be returned or moved to another date.
• Process cannot be paused once started: After you submit your form and deposit, we notify the current holders and cannot pause the challenge.
• Cashier's check, wire transfer, or money order only: Personal checks and cards are not accepted. Make payable to "CCSF Events Department".
• Booked dates cannot be challenged: You can only challenge dates that show an active hold in the booking calendar.

When you should challenge a date

• The date is non-negotiable for you: You've committed to this specific date, a different one won't do, and you're ready to fully follow through.
• You can afford to commit now: The deposit is non-refundable if you win. Only challenge if you're financially prepared to book, not just to explore.
• You've read the fine print: Make sure you understand what you're agreeing to before you start.

Step-by-step: How to challenge

• Step 1: Confirm there's an active hold on your date
  • Check the booking calendar. Dates marked as requiring a challenge have an active hold but no signed contract or deposit on file.
• Step 2: Request the official challenge form
  • Email cityhall.events@sfgov.org to request the form.
• Step 3: Submit the challenge form and deposit (75% of the rental fee)
  • For a one-hour wedding at $1,200, the deposit is $900.
  • For a two-hour wedding at $6,000, the deposit is $4,500.
  • For private evening rentals, the deposit starts at $9,000.
• Step 4: We notify the current holder
  • The challenged party has 2 business days to sign the digital contract and pay the deposit, or release the date.
• Step 5: We contact you with the outcome
  • Our office will follow up within 48 hours once the process is complete.

Unless you get challenged, holds are valid for:

• 30 days for one‑hour weddings
• 90 days for two‑hour weddings, evening weddings, and other events

We do not send reminders about holds that are going to expire.

Holds are automatically removed once they expire.

It is your responsibility to contact us before your hold expires to proceed with your reservation.

We do not maintain waiting lists.

If you secured your date through a CHALLENGE, you are NOT ELIGIBLE to receive a refund or to reschedule.

More than 6 months in advance

• Full refund for any cancellation made at least 6 months prior to the event.

Less than 6 months in advance

• For cancellations less than 6 months prior, the deposit is non-refundable.
• However, you may apply your deposit to a new date scheduled within 12 months of the original cancellation.

We do NOT provide or manage officiants, marriage licenses, or certificates. You are responsible for securing these.

Local couples

• Obtain your marriage license and book an officiant prior to your wedding date.

Traveling couples

• Check with your local county clerks office regarding the marriage license.
• Laws vary from state to state and internationally.
• Book an officiant prior to your wedding date.

Using your own officiant

• They must comply with California's marriage officiant guidelines.