If you’re eloping in the Bay Area, chances are you’re well aware of how iconic San Francisco City Hall is. An impressive Beaux-Arts monument, it’s incredible and on every photographer’s bucket list for good reason. The marble, that staircase. The natural light that floods in the upper balconies. But maybe that isn’t your style, and that’s okay. I have an excellent and underrated alternative to share - Marin County Civic Center.
Nestled in the hills of San Rafael conveniently off the 101, this is a Frank Lloyd Wright civic masterpiece; a visual playground that doesn’t feel as though government has any business being in such a perfect and whimsical space. It’s been used for movie sets (hello George Lucas) and even the Grateful Dead recorded an album there. And if you’re the type who is less traditional and maybe even awkward in front of the camera, it lends itself perfectly to a stoic and quiet sensibility in a Wes Anderson type of aesthetic.
Whenever I enter this building, I can’t help but feel energized in a way that is unique to this space. I’m inspired in every corner with a big smile on my face. The possibilities are endless and the creativity has infused the air. The best part - it lends itself perfectly to both digital and film mediums. In these photos you’ll notice that the film scans have a soft magenta glow that soften the the reds in a most elegant way for my medium format scans.
And for the process - it couldn’t be simpler or more affordable. The ceremony is only $56 and there are appointments three days a week. If you’d like to orchestrate a first look, the terrace level utilized for this elopement is easy to reach from the parking lot. Or if you and your partner want to roll up together, just head up to room 232/234. They offer the garden for ceremonies, or in inclement weather, in the little enclave you’ll see in my photos with the rounded benches.
I was married at Brooklyn City Hall and can say I wish that I could’ve experienced the awe Marin County Civic Center evokes. The architectural importance, the je ne sais quoi it’s an absolute gem and I’m honored to be there every time I step inside.
