A Joyful San Francisco City Hall Wedding Ceremony & Westin St. Francis San Francisco Wedding Reception | Kona & Sean’s Valentine’s Day Celebration

A Valentine’s Day Wedding in San Francisco: Elevated, Personal, and So Much Fun

Kona and Sean’s Valentine’s Day 2026 wedding was the perfect blend of iconic San Francisco moments, thoughtful details, and a celebration that truly felt like them. From a stunning San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony to a high-energy Westin St. Francis San Francisco wedding reception, the entire day struck that balance I’m always aiming for with my couples—approachable luxury with a strong focus on actually enjoying every moment.

And yes, this one had it all: sweeping city views, meaningful personal touches, outfit changes, a champagne tower, and a dance floor that never slowed down.

Getting Ready at The Westin St. Francis

We started the day in a spacious one-bedroom suite at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square, where Kona and her bridal party had plenty of room to settle in, sip champagne, and ease into the day.

Hair by Charlene Tran and makeup by Julie Dy created a polished, timeless look for Kona: an elegant bun for the ceremony that would later transition into a sleek ponytail for the reception.

Before heading to the ceremony, Kona and Sean shared their first look in the Hall of Mirrors at the hotel. It was one of those moments that felt both grand and intimate at the same time, and photographer Marika Tedroff and content creator Weddings By Celesta captured it beautifully (as they did the entire day).

A San Francisco City Hall Wedding Ceremony (Why I Love Planning at City Hall)

I’ll say it every time: a San Francisco City Hall wedding is truly something special. The architecture, the light, the scale—it’s breathtaking. That said, it’s a venue where understanding and respecting the rules is key. When you plan with those guidelines in mind (and a professional who knows the way!), the result is seamless and incredibly impactful.

Dramatic Entrances & Personal Moments

Kona and Sean fully embraced the space, both entering from the top of the rotunda stairs for a grand, cinematic entrance. Before Kona walked down the aisle, she played a recorded message for Sean. As her voice echoed through the rotunda, the energy in the room shifted: it was emotional, intentional, and completely unforgettable. Florals by Blissful Rose tied everything together with calla lilies featured in the bouquet and hydrangeas taking center stage on the rotunda.

The ceremony, which was short and sweet, was officiated by Sean's sister, Kaitlyn. Having such a close family member perform the wedding made the ceremony even more meaningful.

Music That Felt Like Them

Ceremony music was performed by SF Wedding Violinist Ilana Thomas, blending solo violin with an R&B backing track. It was modern, romantic, and perfectly suited to both the setting and the couple. Sound by Joe Squared Productions ensured every note and word carried clearly through the space.

Iconic San Francisco Photo Moments

We made sure to build in time for some quintessential San Francisco moments. Photographer Marika Tedroff absolutely hit it out of the park with dramatic portraits at City Hall before the ceremony, and then we continued on to Huntington Park for additional photos—including some with Kona and Sean’s beloved pup, Yvee!

And because no San Francisco wedding is complete without it, the couple hopped onto a streetcar for a quick photo op that felt so true to the city.

Transportation throughout the day was handled seamlessly by Bay Area Luxury Limo, keeping everything on schedule and stress-free.

A Westin St. Francis San Francisco Wedding Reception

A Last-Minute Pivot That Turned Into the Perfect Fit

We secured The Westin St. Francis somewhat last-minute after the couple’s original reception venue fell through—and it could not have worked out better.

Cocktail hour took place in the Mission Bay Ballroom, which offered a stylish, welcoming space for guests to ease into the evening.

From there, everyone transitioned into the Golden Gate Ballroom for dinner and dancing, where the setting felt elevated, polished, and ready for a full celebration.

The Westin delivered on every level: sweeping city views from the 32nd floor, beautifully appointed ballrooms, and a team that was attentive, flexible, and genuinely wonderful to work with. From a planning perspective, it made a huge difference.

As a Marriott property, it also offers added perks for guests—like earning Marriott Bonvoy points toward status, along with familiar benefits and consistency for out-of-town travelers.

Final Touches Before Guests Arrived

Before doors opened, my team and I put the finishing touches on everything: adjusting table settings, styling the custom engraved bud vases, and perfecting the favor displays with the light-up calla lilies.

These are the quiet moments I love most. Everything is in place, the room is glowing, and you know the couple is about to walk into something really special.

Thoughtful Details That Told Their Story

Kona and Sean wove personal touches throughout the reception in a way that felt natural and meaningful:

• Table numbers featured childhood photos of each of them at the corresponding age
• They displayed wedding photos from friends and family to honor the people who came before them
• Customized matchboxes with their own YSL-style logo were available for guests to take with them

Other creative Valentine’s Day touches included ring pops for engaged friends and special treats for newlyweds celebrating their first married Valentine’s Day.

Beautiful displays built by Blushtype & Co welcomed guests into the reception, and showcased some of Kona and Sean’s stunning engagement photos (also taken by Marika Tedroff!).

Dinner, Dancing, and a Champagne Tower

After their entrance shooting money guns into the crowd, Kona and Sean shared their first dance to “Stickwitu” by the Pussycat Dolls before dancing with their parents to “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross. Speeches from Kona’s dad and Sean’s parents were heartfelt and memorable, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Dinner included filet, sea bass, or truffle ravioli—classic, elevated options that guests genuinely enjoyed—and was followed by equally lovely toasts from friends Bobby, Tiff, and Ashley. The mix of perspectives added so much personality to the evening and really reflected how loved these two are.

Before the dance floor fully opened, Kona and Sean slipped away for a more private moment—cutting their cake by Sugar Butter Flour and pouring their champagne tower together. It felt intentional and a little more intimate, giving them a chance to soak it all in without an audience.

Then, the energy shifted.

Kona changed into her party dress and swapped her hairstyle to a sleek ponytail, and the dance floor quickly filled. DJ JR kept the momentum going all night, while Zoey’s Photobooth stayed busy capturing guest moments from start to finish.

Why This Wedding Worked So Well

Kona and Sean’s day is a perfect example of how a San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony and a Westin St. Francis San Francisco wedding reception can come together to create something truly special.

It worked because:

• The venues were used intentionally and to their full potential
• Personal details were woven in without overwhelming the design
• The timeline allowed space for both meaningful moments and a full-on party
• The guest experience was considered at every step

Most importantly, it felt like them.

Planning Your Own San Francisco City Hall Wedding?

If you’re considering a San Francisco City Hall wedding or a Westin St. Francis San Francisco wedding, the key is thoughtful planning, flexibility, and a team that knows how to bring it all together—especially when plans change.

Whether you’re envisioning something classic, modern, or a mix of both, I’d love to help you create a day that feels seamless, intentional, and genuinely fun from start to finish.

Inquire today to start planning your San Francisco wedding.

Meet Your San Francisco City Hall Wedding Planner

Hi! I’m Bridget. I specialize in designing thoughtful, detail-driven celebrations that feel seamless from start to finish—whether that’s a San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony, a Westin St. Francis San Francisco wedding reception, or something closer to home in the Pacific Northwest. I’m there for the quiet in-between moments just as much as the big ones—like stepping in to fluff Kona’s train before portraits so everything feels just right. My approach is equal parts logistics and experience, ensuring you’re fully present while every detail is handled behind the scenes. If you’re looking for a planner who blends organization with a calm, polished presence, you’re in the right place.