Adorable Queer Wedding at San Francisco City Hall!
The Stunning Cliffs Of Montara State Beach
When planning your wedding ceremony, you probably heard people tell you that it was “a once in a lifetime” magical day. But what if it doesn’t have to be? For some of you, your wedding day was so wonderful that you fantasized about reliving that perfect day. You remember being surrounded by your loved ones, wishing that time would slow down and that your big day would never end. For others, it wasn’t really what you’d wanted, but at least you could say you got married. (One team member told us her ceremony backdrop was a copy machine. We will make that right in 2025, so check back for that story!)
We get calls from couples asking if we offer anniversary sessions or vow renewal ceremonies. The answer is a resounding YES, we do! What’s the difference between these two types of sessions?
An anniversary photography session usually marks a special milestone anniversary, and you’ve decided to honor your commitment with a unique series of photographs to enjoy and perhaps decorate your home. This wedding anniversary photo session may or may not include your children, and you may opt to wear anything that makes you feel the most magical. Most couples do not wear wedding outfits for this session, but you certainly can if you’d like. Anniversary sessions often occur during a couple’s ten-year marriage, but any time is a good time to celebrate your love. If you didn’t get the dreamy wedding pictures you wanted on your wedding day, don’t wait another year to re-create images that showcase your fabulous together.
The couple in this blog chose San Francisco City Hall as their anniversary photography venue. She wanted time for the two to focus on each other while the children were getting ready with their nanny at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. We did make a quick stop for their family session, and with twin two-year-old boys, quick was good for them! Their darling six-year-old daughter was a perfect mini-me with her mommy, and we took some photos that will be passed down over the years. We’ve been invited to continue documenting their family milestones at their next big anniversary in five years.
A vow renewal photography session and ceremony (re-tying the knot) is an actual ceremony with a wedding/vow renewal officiant. Your ceremony will be much like a traditional wedding ceremony, but you won’t sign any legally binding papers since you already did that on your original wedding day. Traditional in structure, but not necessarily in content. You have a lot of flexibility when designing your vow renewal ceremony. You can opt for poetry or scripture readings and meaningful live music played at certain times during the ceremony that might represent different stages of your lives together. If you now have children, you can incorporate them into the ceremony and even gift them a new piece of jewelry to signify your unity as a family. We’ve even had adoption papers presented during vow renewals. (get the tissue out!)
Vow renewal photography can be less structured and more personalized than traditional wedding photography, as you most likely won’t have a big reception to attend afterward. You can choose as many photography locations as you’d like and create a combination of family photography and couples portraits. Most of you planning a vow renewal ceremony will be dressed in formal wedding outfits, but the choice is yours. We can create a “Vow Renewal Certificate” that you can take home if you request one. You’ll also be able to order a wedding cake and bubbly to share on the big wedding replay day! There should always be cake, right?
Why have a vow renewal ceremony? We think there are a few good reasons.
- One of the most common reasons to renew your vow is to celebrate one of those milestone anniversaries. If your family has grown since you first tied the knot, it’s a new way to unify your bond.
- You’ve experienced many ups and downs, and as you heal from some turbulence, you want to reaffirm your commitment to one another.
- You’ve grown as a couple and have a whole new set of vows that resonate with you both now, and you can’t wait to share them.
Where should you have your vow renewal ceremony?
When I ask couples where they’d like to work with us, the first three options I present are beach, forest, or architecture. What’s your vibe as a couple? Usually, one of those options will be a standout favorite (I love Muir Woods National Monument myself). When you’re ready to set a location, please know you don’t have to choose just one. Our couples often select San Francisco City Hall, the forest, or a beach with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve been scouting many new locations this year, and I’m in love with the high cliffs, crashing waves, and huge, quiet stretch of sand at Montara State Beach and the nearby lighthouse. We also serve the Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea areas to the south of San Francisco, and it’s unbelievably lovely with clifftop views, white sand beaches, and lovely quaint downtown areas. We’d be happy to tell you more about our favorite ceremony locations. Just send us an email through our contact page.
What time of day is best for a vow renewal ceremony?
Having an early to mid-morning session is always a good rule to get nice, even lighting before the sun is too high in the sky. You can follow up with another location and then head to brunch or lunch, a fun and affordable way to celebrate. If you’re a sunset lover, that’s another fantastic time to have a romantic and memorable photo session for two. If you focus more on family pictures, I’d opt for the morning session.
One of the best things about these sessions is that they can be a family tradition. You can do them in five-year increments when you take a trip to a unique destination or to surprise your spouse with something fun and romantic. Who wouldn’t love knowing their partner wants to propose and marry them again? Yes, you can also do a surprise vow renewal or anniversary session. I think those might be the most fun of all. Whatever you’re dreaming up, we’d love to help you plan and orchestrate memories that make you smile when you think of them.
