San Francisco Wedding Photography Itinerary

On your wedding day you won't have the luxury of time to crisscross the City looking for those perfect shots of the two of you and your entourage. To make it easier here are three options for wedding photography sessions that will yield fabulous settings for you to capture this special day forever.

Wedding Photography in the Heart of the Mission District

A wedding photo excursion into the Mission District is an invitation to have fun and delight in the brilliant colors this vibrant neighborhood offers. Start your session at Mission Dolores* and let the inspiring architecture and beautiful grounds of the oldest surviving missionary structure in San Francisco take you back in time. You'll find an astounding collection of stunning murals along 24th Street between Mission Street and Potrero. Explore Balmy Alley and have your photographer snap photos of your wedding party against the colorful murals painted on fences, walls and doors.

Next up is a stop at Mission Dolores Park. Head for the upper half of the park where you'll find sunny open areas and lovely views of the City behind you for bright, cheery group shots. This is a perfect place to capture great images of the two of you and your wedding party as you celebrate your union. Make sure you don't miss nearby Dolores Street, a quiet and beautiful location for wedding entourage photos ' shaded by tall palm trees and lined by grand old Victorians, you're sure to get some great photos here.

And if you're feeling a bit like kids you can wrap up your session with a quick visit to nearby Franklin Square Park, where your photographer can snap fun candid photos as you share playful moments together in the playground. Spontaneity is the name of the game ' so go for a swing in your bridal gown as the two of you look forward to a lifetime of joyous moments together!

* It's recommended that you check with the Mission to make sure no other weddings or special events are taking place at the time you're considering for your shoot.

Classic Wedding Photography in and Around Nob Hill

A great place to assemble your entourage for a wedding photography session is at Huntington Park in the Nob Hill area. This quaint park offers many subtle backdrops and pleasing locations for a wide range of photos. Pose serenely by the replica of the 16th century Roman 'Fountain of the Tortoises', then place yourselves before some of the famous buildings and hotels that border the park. Within walking distance you will also find spontaneous settings that lend themselves to stylish and intimate shots of the two of you framed against a background of lush bougainvillea.

Your next stop on your wedding photo itinerary takes you to Ina Coolbrith Park, nestled between Vallejo and Taylor Streets. Revered by locals for its spectacular setting and terraces carved from the steep hill, this park is named for the poet laureate who introduced Jack London and Isadora Duncan to the world of books and is truly a hidden gem. This park is a sensational place to capture meditative and intimate photos as well as beautiful panoramic views of the City below, and the surrounding area offers many choice opportunities for remarkable wedding day photos as well.

Finish your session at Macondray Lane ' a romantic setting that surprise you with many great photo opportunities. Located between Jones and Taylor Streets, this charming lane feels like it was brought here from Europe ' a quiet and timeless place with trees and ferns that lend a unique feel to this secret spot above San Francisco.

Wedding Photography at The Presidio and Baker Beach

A wonderful and historic location for excellent wedding photography can be found at The Presidio, where twisty roads and gorgeous wooded areas throughout provide a lush green canopy and numerous opportunities for outdoor wedding photos. On the south east coming in from Arguello Blvd. you'll find serene and lush settings that lend themselves to lovely group images and intimate portraits. Nearby, Inspiration Point provides panoramic views as well as forested trails that lend themselves for closeups and romantic portraiture.

Just off Hwy 1 in the southwestern end you'll find lovely Mountain Lake and more open settings that will make you feel as if you're quite far from civilization. This park within a park is a spectacular location and offers many opportunities for a wide range of intimate and group shots.

The western side is more open ' here you'll find panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean and marvelous views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Godfrey as well as on the coastal trail. Below you'll find Baker Beach, but beware the sudden impulse to get your feet sandy and wet! This is a wonderful place to wrap up your wedding photo session, where you can indulge in playful moments together as the waves crash on the beach and you can let yourselves be swept away by the moment.