Caroline and Roger’s Saturday Wedding at San Francisco City Hall

Caroline and Roger had not one, but two wedding days (COVID). They had not one, but two tea ceremonies (tradition). And ultimately, their big Saturday wedding at San Francisco City Hall united their two families and two communities into one.

After COVID postponed their 2020 celebration, the couple decided to get married in an intimate family ceremony, and with a Zoomed in officiant, in their San Francisco home. They invited me to document that ceremony, and afterwards we did a creative tour of San Francisco, including the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Point. I particularly loved Caroline’s gown against the crisp blue winter sky, and her red coat juxtaposed with the iconic Palace of Fine Arts green doors.

10 months later, and exactly a year after their original wedding date was postponed by the pandemic, Caroline and Roger prepared for their massive 300-person, fully-vaccinated Saturday wedding at San Francisco City Hall. First, the couple staged two tea ceremonies, one with the bride’s family, and one with the groom’s. Red envelopes were exchanged for cups of fragrant tea, and the couple and their families basked in the opportunity to finally be together under one roof.

We then headed to City Hall for some iconic photos with the couple, their families and their wedding party. It was a treat to have the building all to ourselves. City Hall was decked out and the iconic checkered floor was packed with semicircles of chairs as the wedding party and the couple made their way down the aisle. The vows were emotional but also full of humor. One of my favorite moments after the ceremony was when the late afternoon sunlight started streaming into the building from the Van Ness side. At that moment, Caroline was getting her dress bustled and Roger was nearby. The intense sunlight illuminated the couple in a beautiful glow.

The evening was full of great speeches, an epic dress change, a table visit to each of their… THIRTY tables… and an unforgettable performance by lion dancers. Roger’s father had been a lion dancer, and the troupe paid tribute to him in a very emotional moment. The dance floor was in the North Light Court, and the couple and their guests danced the night way, bathed in the glow of purple uplights and the cacophony of hip hop beats.

For an in-depth look at their Saturday City Hall wedding, check out the highlight film. Photos from both wedding days below!