Three Questions Regarding a Wedding in San Francisco.
September 16, 2013 10:00 AM Subscribe
My handsome fella and I are getting married in San Francisco, CA in early October! I was hoping to get some Mefi-approved recommendations for a restaurant, a hair salon, and a photographer! (I'm not expecting all three in one, but how amazing would THAT be?)
We're getting married at City Hall in San Francisco in about three weeks, HOORAY! We have most of the particulars worked out except for these three things:
1. We need a restaurant not super-far from City Hall for 10-12 people to have an early dinner after the very brief ceremony. I've done some searching and have been overwhelmed and really have no idea. (I've never been to San Francisco, my gentleman has but it was years ago.) No real food restrictions, just a place with tasty food (we aaaalll like to eat. A lot) and not shockingly expensive. (Moderate-to-pricy is fine, it's our wedding dinner after all, but I saw one restaurant that was over $1000 for dinner for far fewer people than we'll have.) The restaurant will most likely have to be in walking distance of City Hall or easily reachable by public transportation so we can herd everyone attending there.
2. I'm looking for a hair salon in/near the SoMa District for my mom and I to get our hairs did the morning of the wedding. This is probably the one I need the most help on as I have gotten my hair professionally "done" probably twice in my life and am completely clueless and intimidated. If it matters, I'm a lady with long, wavy hair and am probably looking for a fairly simple, beachy, wavy style. Maybe something Game of Thrones-y but less medieval.
3. My mom would like us to get pictures taken at City Hall after the ceremony since the whole immediate family will be together in one place and that is something of a blue moon occurrence. She has had NO luck finding anyone with any kind of reviews or references.
Can anyone help me or offer suggestions, recommendations? Thank you SO much in advance!
We're getting married at City Hall in San Francisco in about three weeks, HOORAY! We have most of the particulars worked out except for these three things:
1. We need a restaurant not super-far from City Hall for 10-12 people to have an early dinner after the very brief ceremony. I've done some searching and have been overwhelmed and really have no idea. (I've never been to San Francisco, my gentleman has but it was years ago.) No real food restrictions, just a place with tasty food (we aaaalll like to eat. A lot) and not shockingly expensive. (Moderate-to-pricy is fine, it's our wedding dinner after all, but I saw one restaurant that was over $1000 for dinner for far fewer people than we'll have.) The restaurant will most likely have to be in walking distance of City Hall or easily reachable by public transportation so we can herd everyone attending there.
2. I'm looking for a hair salon in/near the SoMa District for my mom and I to get our hairs did the morning of the wedding. This is probably the one I need the most help on as I have gotten my hair professionally "done" probably twice in my life and am completely clueless and intimidated. If it matters, I'm a lady with long, wavy hair and am probably looking for a fairly simple, beachy, wavy style. Maybe something Game of Thrones-y but less medieval.
3. My mom would like us to get pictures taken at City Hall after the ceremony since the whole immediate family will be together in one place and that is something of a blue moon occurrence. She has had NO luck finding anyone with any kind of reviews or references.
Can anyone help me or offer suggestions, recommendations? Thank you SO much in advance!
Bruce Forrester Photography
Presidio Social Club
posted by nickrussell at 10:25 AM on September 16, 2013
Presidio Social Club
posted by nickrussell at 10:25 AM on September 16, 2013
If I were getting married at City Hall in SF, Jardiniere is where I would have my dinner.
Or possibly Absinthe. Both are close to city hall -- you would only have to park once.
posted by janey47 at 10:30 AM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or possibly Absinthe. Both are close to city hall -- you would only have to park once.
posted by janey47 at 10:30 AM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not a salon, but I used Penney Do to do my hair and makeup, and she was both punctual in arriving where I needed her, and did stunning work.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 10:38 AM on September 16, 2013
posted by Nimmie Amee at 10:38 AM on September 16, 2013
For a restaurant, you might want to look at AQ. Definitely walking distance and pretty well thought of by people who eat there (never been, but it's on my list).
Alternatively, we have had a really nice time at Dobbs Ferry Restaurant. Reviews are also pretty positive.
Congrats and best wishes, btw!
posted by jasper411 at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
Alternatively, we have had a really nice time at Dobbs Ferry Restaurant. Reviews are also pretty positive.
Congrats and best wishes, btw!
posted by jasper411 at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
Best answer: Emily's blog and photos: how to get married at san francisco city hall.
posted by barnone at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
posted by barnone at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
For hair in SOMA, I love G Squared. It's nothing fancy but Susan specializes in long hair and she, herself, has exactly that kind of long, beachy, wavy hair. I know she does wedding hair, too, She's awesome.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:42 AM on September 16, 2013
Also, for my city hall wedding, we had lunch at Absinthe afterward and it was great.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:43 AM on September 16, 2013
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:43 AM on September 16, 2013
I also got married at City Hall and had lunch at Absinthe! It was fantastic.
posted by vickyverky at 11:22 AM on September 16, 2013
posted by vickyverky at 11:22 AM on September 16, 2013
I'd second the Jardinere recommendation if for no other reason than the walk will be nicer that direction than toward Market.
Also, I'd say it's not that big a deal to shuttle people around. There is plenty of parking near City Hall, and you'd really only need three vehicles. Have the photographer follow you to the restaurant and take some photos there as well!
posted by cnc at 12:21 PM on September 16, 2013
Also, I'd say it's not that big a deal to shuttle people around. There is plenty of parking near City Hall, and you'd really only need three vehicles. Have the photographer follow you to the restaurant and take some photos there as well!
posted by cnc at 12:21 PM on September 16, 2013
Tristan Crane is a brilliant SF wedding photographer. (And a pal of mine, for full disclosure.)
posted by mollymayhem at 12:56 PM on September 16, 2013
posted by mollymayhem at 12:56 PM on September 16, 2013
Festoon is a well regarded hair salon just one BART stop (or a $10 cab ride, or a 20 minute walk) from City Hall.
Another option for both hair and food would be the neighborhood on Hayes. Starting around Hayes and Franklin and heading north, there are many upscale boutiques, restaurants, and probably hair salons.
posted by slidell at 1:16 PM on September 16, 2013
Another option for both hair and food would be the neighborhood on Hayes. Starting around Hayes and Franklin and heading north, there are many upscale boutiques, restaurants, and probably hair salons.
posted by slidell at 1:16 PM on September 16, 2013
Tania Goulart at Patrick Evan salon on Grant Street (downtown) is great for hair, and she's a sweetheart. She does weddings, both hair and (if you want it) makeup as well.
Lane Hartwell is my favourite photographer in the Bay Area. Unpretentious and kind, and she is great with natural light -- her subjects *glow*. I don't have contact information for her any more, but you could probably find her through Google.
For restaurants, maybe take a look at Fish and Farm, which has a private room called the Fishbowl. It's part of a hotel --I think the Mark Twain-- on Taylor. A sketchy part of town, but everything near City Hall is pretty sketchy. Or maybe Zuni Cafe, also nearby -- the food there, especially the roast chicken, is phenomenal.
Mazel tov!
posted by Susan PG at 4:56 AM on September 17, 2013
Lane Hartwell is my favourite photographer in the Bay Area. Unpretentious and kind, and she is great with natural light -- her subjects *glow*. I don't have contact information for her any more, but you could probably find her through Google.
For restaurants, maybe take a look at Fish and Farm, which has a private room called the Fishbowl. It's part of a hotel --I think the Mark Twain-- on Taylor. A sketchy part of town, but everything near City Hall is pretty sketchy. Or maybe Zuni Cafe, also nearby -- the food there, especially the roast chicken, is phenomenal.
Mazel tov!
posted by Susan PG at 4:56 AM on September 17, 2013
Zuni would be a great choice for dinner! It's walkable, but you could also ride the streetcar there (which would make for some awesome pictures).
posted by leitmotif at 10:38 AM on September 28, 2013
posted by leitmotif at 10:38 AM on September 28, 2013
Response by poster: We had a lovely wedding at City Hall and had a nice lunch and many great pictures taken! Thanks for all your excellent suggestions. I felt much more confident in my planning with so many informed recommendations! You are all wonderful!
...Now back to my regularly scheduled staring at my wedding band and going, "...Huh." (How long does THAT last?)
posted by Aquifer at 12:42 AM on October 10, 2013
...Now back to my regularly scheduled staring at my wedding band and going, "...Huh." (How long does THAT last?)
posted by Aquifer at 12:42 AM on October 10, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you want someone more formal or 'traditional', I've got other recommendations too.
Restaurant: do you want a private room, or just sit at a table together? You might really enjoy Park Tavern, and they have a lovely small private room, but I"m not sure about minimum food & beverage costs to reserve that space. They also have regular tables of course. Foreign Cinema has a great private mezzanine for your size of party too. Neither is really within walking distance, but you could easily take a cab!
posted by barnone at 10:19 AM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]