san francisco city hall wedding video

Erika + Nikolay | San Francisco City Hall Wedding

When Erika and Nikolay invited me to document their wedding celebration at San Francisco City Hall, their cheerful, playful personalities didn’t quite prepare me for the emotion of the ceremony. Among an intimate group of family and closest friends, the couple exchanged rings in the City Hall Rotunda. Tears of joy flowed freely, as you’ll see. The San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony is a short affair; not much pomp and circumstance, just the moment, and the connection between the two people who are making a life commitment to one another. It was a privilege to be present at such a personal and pivotal point in their lives.

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Maryam + Christian | San Francisco City Hall Wedding

Maryam and Christian traveled all the way from Germany in order to celebrate their wedding with family here in San Francisco. It was a chilly, foggy day. On days like this, San Francisco can seem aloof and unwelcoming. Fortunately, Maryam and Christian were received into the open arms of family. Inside City Hall,  all stood united as Reverend Andreas Pielhoop artfully officiated a lovely ceremony. Afterwards, the couple triumphantly exited SF City Hall into a salute of bubbles, and boarded the cable car, bound for the twilight at the Golden Gate Bridge. This video is an experiment for me. I think it proves that the incantation, the cadence of a wedding ceremony could very well be universal. The act of committing to one another before your community demands a certain order, certain traditions, certain meaningful words and glances. I hope you’ll agree. Congratulations Maryam and Christian! All the best in your new life together.