An Iconic San Francisco Wedding at Mission Dolores & Fort Mason
Getting Ready: At Home in the Heart of the City
If you’re dreaming of a San Francisco wedding that blends history, heart, and iconic views — this one’s for you. Teresa LoJacono Photography recently documented a deeply personal wedding that took place across two of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks: the historic Mission Dolores Basilica and the versatile Fort Mason Center.
This storybook day was filled with intimate moments, personal traditions, and thoughtful planning to make the most of the city’s charm. In this post, we’ll walk you through the couple’s wedding experience, share tips for navigating a wedding in the city, and give you an inside look at the venues they chose — including what’s allowed, what’s not, and what you’ll need to know when planning your own San Francisco celebration.
Our couple chose to get ready at their respective family homes — both located just blocks away from the ceremony site. This decision added a heartfelt, grounded feel to the day and allowed us to capture candid, emotional moments in spaces rich with family history.
One of the sweetest decisions? The bride and groom each walked from their homes to Mission Dolores, surrounded by loved ones, passing neighbors and familiar landmarks. It was such a unique San Francisco moment — and completely stress-free without the need for parking or complicated transportation logistics.
Mission Dolores Basilica: A San Francisco Wedding Ceremony Staple
📍 Location: 3321 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
💒 Capacity: ~450 guests
✨ Best for: Formal ceremonies, Catholic weddings, and historic architecture lovers
💡 Tip: The Basilica books up quickly for weddings. You’ll want to inquire 6–12 months in advance, especially during spring and fall.
Founded in 1776, Mission Dolores Basilica is not only the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco — it’s one of the most stunning places to hold a wedding ceremony. With its soaring ceilings, grand pipe organ, and rich spiritual history, it’s ideal for couples seeking a traditional or religious ceremony in a legendary space.
As photographers, we’re always mindful of ceremony guidelines — and Mission Dolores has clear ones. Flash photography is restricted during the ceremony, and access to the altar is limited, but with the right lenses and a documentary approach, we can still capture it all beautifully from the sidelines.
After the ceremony, guests lined the steps and showered the couple with rice before they departed in a vintage car — straight to Fort Mason for the reception.
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture: A Reception With a View
📍 Location: 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
🌁 Capacity: 150–750+ depending on venue
🏞 Best for: Indoor/outdoor weddings, waterfront views, flexible space
Fort Mason offers an incredible mix of industrial charm, sweeping views of the Bay, and flexible event spaces that can be customized to fit your vibe — from elegant to laid-back.
The couple hosted their reception in one of the indoor warehouse-style spaces, which we decked out with string lights, simple florals, and long family-style tables. With views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz just steps away, guests had plenty to explore during cocktail hour.
📸 Photography Notes:
- Fort Mason allows professional photography across most public areas with a permit (we can help you secure one).
- Reception spaces like Gallery 308, Festival Pavilion, and the General’s Residence are some of the most popular and photogenic.
- Outdoor spaces, including the Great Meadow Park, can be used for ceremonies or portraits but must be reserved in advance.
Can You Host a Ceremony at Fort Mason?
Yes — but with limitations.
📅 When to book: Spring and early fall are ideal for the best weather and light. For lower rental rates and lighter crowds, consider a weekday or off-season wedding (November–March).
The General’s Residence and the Great Meadow are popular for ceremonies, though they come with capacity and noise limitations. You can also combine an indoor/outdoor experience by starting in the Firehouse or Gallery 308, then moving outside for portraits or cocktail hour.
Fort Mason Rental Options & Pricing Overview (as of 2025):
| Venue Space | Capacity | Approx. Price (Weekends) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery 308 | 180 seated | $6,000–$7,500 | Industrial, waterfront |
| General’s Residence | 130 seated | $5,500+ | Garden and Bay views |
| Firehouse | 49 seated | $3,000–$4,000 | Intimate, historic |
| Festival Pavilion | 750+ | $15,000–$20,000+ | Large events, fully customizable |
Planning a Wedding in San Francisco? Consider These Logistics
San Francisco weddings are dreamy — but they come with city-specific challenges. Here’s what to consider when you start planning:
Transportation:
- Factor in parking, walking time, or shuttle services between ceremony and reception sites.
- Many couples opt for vintage cars, Muni buses, or even private trolleys to help move guests.
Weather:
- Fog season: May–August is often cool and overcast, especially near the water.
- Best light and warmth: September and October.
- Least crowds: January–March (off-season + lower rates)
Photography Fees:
- Some SF venues require separate photography permits (ranging $150–$400).
- We include all permit coordination in our full-day documentary wedding packages — no surprise fees.
Why Choose Documentary Wedding Photography for a City Wedding
In a fast-paced city like San Francisco, your wedding moments go by in a flash. That’s why storytelling wedding photography is ideal — so we can capture every in-between moment, glance, laugh, and tear as it unfolds naturally.
No stiff posing. No over-direction. Just you, your people, and your story.
See the Full Gallery + Inquire About No Travel Fees
If you’re planning a San Francisco wedding — whether at Mission Dolores, Fort Mason, or anywhere in the city — I’d love to show you what a full day looks like through my lens.
📩 Click here to inquire for full wedding galleries and info on zero travel fees for California + PNW weddings.
Let’s capture your day exactly as it felt.
My photography is a blend of art, experience, and instinct—a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
For over 15 years, I’ve been immersed in the world of photography. It all started when I was 18 and stepped into a darkroom for the first time. That moment sparked a lifelong obsession with capturing the world through my lens. It eventually lead me to the fine art space, collaborating with artists, managing studios, and working alongside galleries and museums.
Through years of studying art and photography—both in undergraduate and graduate school—my aesthetic evolved under the influence of critical theory and contemporary art. I found myself drawn to the intersection of traditional documentary photography and spontaneous, unfiltered moments of real life. My goal is to create images that are raw, honest, and deeply human.
Travel plays a huge role in my creative process. I find inspiration in the unfamiliar—letting light, movement, and emotion guide my eye. Photography is my way of making sense of the world, turning fleeting moments into lasting stories. With a camera in hand, everything becomes a canvas, and every frame is a chance to reveal beauty in the unexpected.
