So you've decided to forgo the grand ballroom space and chose to hold your nuptials at the local City Hall surrounded by family and friends. Perhaps this was the easiest of your decisions. (Besides, Carrie and Big did it, so did Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio!) But now for the difficult part: What does a still-stylish bride wear to her City Hall wedding?
We have the answer, and using the gorgeous scenery in and around San Francisco's City Hall as our inspiration, we found short dresses of the season to be a perfect fit for the occasion.
Dotted Swiss Cotton Batiste with checkered floral cotton eyelet hem from
The Cotton Bride. Style number: B1049. $2190, available directly through The Cotton Bride at
thecottonbride.com
On January 14, 1954, New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio and movie legend Marilyn Monroe were married in an old courtroom on the 4th floor of San Francisco City Hall.
Off-white silk shantung Jenny Yoo Collection dress with a small key-hole in the front and a dip that dips to just above the waists. Style name: Jocelyn. $425, jennyyoo.com.
Matching white and black wedding suits in cashmere wool gabardine. Style name: Madame (white suit), Monsieur (black suit). $3,275, Reem Acra, kleinfeldbridal.com.
In 1906, a great earthquake destroyed the City Hall in 28 seconds—a new City Hall was completed in 1915.
Strapless embroidered tulle knee-length Jenny Lee dress with a laced hem with a satin belt. Style number: 906. $8,580, jennyleebridal.com.
Ivory silk organza tea-length A-line Jim Hjelm Bridal gown with a strapless lace bodice accented with an ivory satin ribbon. Style number: 8902. $3,410, jlmcouture.com.
After a fire damaged the City Hall's dome in 1998, the outside of the dome was resurfaced with tnemec, a glossy black material.
Silk crepe strapless cocktail-length Platinum for Priscilla of Boston gown with delicate shirring at the bust-line and waist. Style number: PL270. $3,000, platinumgown.com.
Sequin and lace strapless tea-length Wtoo dress with draped neckline and scallop at empire and hem. Style name: Lola. $738, watters.com
The City Hall re-opened for civic and public use in 1999, after the fire damage had been repaired.
This ivory silk shantung strapless tea-length dress features a horizontal net embellishment and a bow at the waist. Style name: Fiesole. $2,200, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, melissasweet.com.
Wide straps and a draped bodice give this ivory satin tea-length dress a sweet look that is finished off with a bow at the neckline. Style name: Milan. $1,900, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, melissasweet.com.
The San Francisco City Hall is situated on two full city blocks.
Silk white embellished illusion tulle A-line gown with tea-length skirt. $6,930, moniquelhuillier.com.
Ivory silk organza strapless tea-length dress by Melissa Sweet with ruched bodice and full skirt adorned with thousands of tiny, hand applied bows, $3800. Visit PriscillaofBoston.com to find a salon in your area.
The upper interior design of the Rotunda features four Medallions created by the famous sculptor Henri Crenier.
Sleeveless silk faille ivory dress with bateau neckline and pleated detail at hem by Amsale. $1050, Style Name Vivi. Visit amsale.com to find a salon in your area.
Cocktail length empire waist point d'esprit dress with beaded lace, in ivory with metallic accents by Alfred Angelo. Price upon request, Style No. 2005. Visit alfredangelo.com to find a salon in your area.
There are approximately 2,000 weddings held in San Francisco City Hall each year.
Two-piece strapless wedding dress from Aria with flair skirt, $289, and faux fur cape, $96. Visit ariadress.com or call 800-658-8885 for more information.
Alvina Valenta cashmere chiffon, a-line knee-length dress with one shoulder neckline and beaded appliqué at natural waist. Style number: 9922. $270, jlmcouture.com.
For more ideas for your wedding dress, check out these gowns for a ballroom wedding.
