Wedding Photos of San Francisco

The following “San Francisco” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “San Francisco” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

A San Francisco couple shares a tender embrace on rocky shore by the bay.

San Francisco Shoreline Embrace: Bay Views, Rocks, and a Couple's Tender Moment

At San Francisco City Hall, CA, a portrait captures two men seated on a window sill, reaching out their hands.

Two Men Reaching Out On Window Sill At San Francisco City Hall

two men San Francisco San Francisco wedding portrait San Francisco City Hall window sill reaching out

In Northern San Francisco, CA, an engaged couple is captured walking up steps from the beach to the cliffs, sharing a kiss that highlights the romantic coastal setting.

Coastal Romance: Engaged Couple's Kiss Ascending Cliffs in Northern San Francisco, CA

shoreline embrace cliffside romance San Francisco engagement ocean backdrop Coastal kiss beach steps engaged couple

In San Francisco, CA, an engaged couple shares a kiss above the beach, beautifully framed by tree trunks, creating an intimate and picturesque portrait.

Tree-Framed Love: Romantic Beachside Kiss in San Francisco, CA Engagement Shot

San Francisco natures embrace scenic engagement beach kiss Coastal Romance picturesque moment golden gate backdrop

In San Francisco, CA, a couple shares a kiss by an Old World stone wall, beautifully highlighted by a shaft of sunlight, adding warmth and romance to their engagement portrait.

Engagement Kiss by Old World Stone Wall in San Francisco

California couple romantic moment Engagement photography golden hour kiss old world charm intimate embrace San Francisco

In San Francisco, a couple poses with a vintage convertible Mustang at a beach overlook. The minimalist shot emphasizes the vast sky, capturing a sense of adventure and freedom.

Vintage Mustang Beach Overlook: Adventurous Engagement in San Francisco's Expansive Sky

adventurous couple minimalist photography expansive sky San Francisco golden gate backdrop beach overlook classic car

At The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, CA, guests enjoy lively dance floor action, celebrating with joy and enthusiasm during the reception.

Dance Floor Delight: Joyful Celebration at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz Carlton SF San Francisco

Bride Prepares at InterContinental Mark Hopkins, San Francisco

InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Sunlit Couple Parted by Historic Stone Building in San Francisco

San Francisco

Engagement Moment at Sutro Bath Ruins with Sunset and Soft Sea Breeze

San Francisco Sutro Bath ruins

Sweet Kiss Amid San Francisco's Bustling Streets and Iconic Architecture

San Francisco

Bride's Preparation with Assistance at Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, CA

Hair Adjustment brides earrings Bridesmaids helping Argonaut Hotel getting ready San Francisco wedding moment of care

At Lands End in San Francisco, CA, a couple poses for their engagement portrait near a row of tree trunks. The natural pattern formed by the trees creates a unique, textured backdrop that enhances the beauty of the photo session.

Couple at Lands End, San Francisco, CA, in Engagement Portrait | Posing Near Row of Tree Trunks | Natural Tree Pattern Creates Textured Backdrop Enhancing Photo

CA Engagement Couple textured backdrop Lands End scenic San Francisco nature atmosphere

At the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, CA, a couple's engagement portrait captures them laughing, backlit by the sun. They stand among a row of Old World white columns, adding a timeless elegance to the joyful photo session.

Couple at Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA, in Engagement Portrait | Laughing and Backlit by Sun | Standing Among Old World White Columns

Legion of Honor joyful CA Engagement Couple white columns Sun Backlit San Francisco romantic

At the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA, a couple's engagement portrait captures him gently holding her hand to help navigate the steep stairway of the Old World structure, adding a touch of romance and elegance to the picture session.

Couple at Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA, in Engagement Portrait | He Holds Her Hand on Steep Stairway | Old World Structure Adds History & Romance to Session

bride couple portrait architecture San Francisco love CA wedding

In a hotel room in San Francisco, CA, the bride stands by the window, her wedding dress elegantly hanging, as natural light softly illuminates the scene, highlighting the anticipation of the day ahead.

Elegantly Draped Dress Glows in Natural Light in San Francisco Hotel Room

hotel room wedding gown San Francisco wedding photography hanging dress bride San Francisco window light

Engagement portrait of a couple striking a pose by graffiti in ruins, captured by a wedding photographer in San Francisco, Northern California.

Urban Love: Artistic Expression Amidst San Francisco's Ruins

ruins striking pose San Francisco PreWedding Session graffiti San Francisco

Captured by a skilled wedding photographer in San Francisco, CA, this charming engagement portrait showcases a loving couple sharing a kiss amidst lush foliage and basked in the warm afternoon sunlight, with the sun behind them.

Nature's Kiss: Love Illuminated in San Francisco's Sunlit Serenity

sharing a kiss Warm sunlight San Francisco lush foliage afternoon Light San Francisco engagement

Engaged couple standing together in a garden, captured by a wedding photographer in Northern California at a garden location in San Francisco.

Garden of Love: Embraced in San Francisco's Natural Beauty

SF e session garden engagement standing close San Francisco red dress off center

In Muir Woods, San Francisco, the bride and groom share a kiss atop a large fallen redwood tree, surrounded by the towering giants and serene natural beauty of the forest.

Bride and Groom Kiss Atop Fallen Redwood Amidst Towering Trees in Muir Woods Wedding Scene

natural beauty bride and groom scenic San Francisco wedding atmosphere love California wedding

In Muir Woods, San Francisco, the bride and groom share a kiss amidst the towering trees, as diagonal rays of sunlight break through the canopy, casting a glow on the couple in the serene woodland setting.

Bride and Groom's Kiss Amidst Towering Trees with Sunlit Rays in Muir Woods Wedding Scene

California wedding glow sunlight romance woodland setting Diagonal Rays nature

A wedding couple at a sweetheart table adorned with stunning floral arrangements, captured on the day at the MacCallum House Inn in Mendocino, California.

Elegant MacCallum House Inn Wedding: A Sweetheart Table Surrounded by Lush Floral Beauty

MacCallum House Inn Sweetheart table Lush Floral Beauty tented reception Wedding Reception tent California - Northern wedding couple

Blessings being given to newlywed at the wedding ceremony in San Francisco Design Center Galleria, CA.

Heartfelt Blessings: Cherished Ceremony for Newlyweds at San Francisco Design Center

San Francisco Design Center Design Center Galleria Blessings for Newlyweds Newlywed Blessings civil ceremony Wedding Blessings San Francisco wedding

Bride getting ready on her wedding day at Gardener Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA, surrounded by family and friends helping her put on her gown.

Loved Ones Assist Bride at Gardener Ranch, Carmel Valley

family Gardener Ranch surrounded San Francisco California - Northern Carmel Valley bridal preparations

A joyful bride stands in her wedding dress at Elliston Vineyards in Sunol, CA.

Capturing Joyful Elegance at Elliston Vineyards Wedding in Sunol, CA

Capturing Joy Elliston Vineyards Sunol Wedding Vineyard wedding California - Northern Elliston Vineyards Wedding happy bride

Outdoor wedding at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax, CA. Smiling groom at the altar as a guest makes a funny comment. Couple holds hands.

Laughter at the Altar: Lighthearted Moment During Deer Park Villa Wedding Ceremony

Deer Park Villa N California Wedding Ceremony Funny Comment Smiling Groom lighthearted moment Deer Park Villa Wedding guest

Happy newlyweds smiling at guests while exiting the outdoor altar at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, CA on their wedding day.

Newlyweds Beam at Guests Leaving Altar at Allied Arts Guild

smiling outdoor altar Exiting Altar guests Joyful ceremony Menlo Park San Francisco

A black and white photo captures a heartwarming moment between the bride and her grandmother at a wedding at The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, CA.

Timeless Tenderness: Bride Shares Heartwarming Moment with Grandmother at Ritz-Carlton Wedding

California wedding bride grandmother Emotional connection Timeless Tenderness wedding photography San Francisco CA wedding

A romantic pre-wedding portrait of a couple in San Francisco, California. The couple is standing in front of an old world structure, basking in the warm sunlight.

Romantic Couple's Pre-Wedding Portrait in San Francisco's Historic Sun-Kissed Setting

old world structure San Francisco layered portrait Warm sunlight San Francisco e shoot

Kissing engagement photo of a couple in Northern California, taken at a stunning lookout point in San Francisco. The couple is standing on a trail that leads down to the ocean.

Northern California Lovebirds: A Romantic Kiss on the San Francisco Coastline

stunning lookout trail San Francisco SF e session kissing Lookout Point

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WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.