A Short + Sweet San Jose City Hall Elopement

Joy Moon
4 days ago
2 min read

black and white photos of two hands holding each other while holding a bouquet

Let’s be honest — when you think “city hall wedding,” you probably picture something quick and a little… "kind of weird", right? Especially if you’re comparing it to the Pinterest-worthy architecture of SF City Hall. But here’s the thing: your love story doesn’t need marble staircases to be magical. It just needs you, your people, and maybe a beautiful redwood grove down the road.

This San Jose City Hall elopement was the definition of simple, sweet, and meaningful — and it might just inspire your own “short + sweet” wedding day dreams.

Just married couple walking through the san jose city hall.

The Plan: Keep it Chill, Keep it Beautiful for City Hall Elopement

My couple (who are basically the chillest humans ever) didn’t want a huge wedding day production. Their goal? Document the real moments of their ceremony, snap some beautiful family portraits afterward, and celebrate over dinner. Easy. Intentional. Lovely.

We kicked things off at San Jose City Hall for their intimate elopement, surrounded by their immediate family — about 10.. The ceremony itself was short and heartfelt, and I photographed it documentary-style: quiet. Pretty much like a spider on the wall with a camera and instead of spidey instincts I had really good lighting instincts.

The Photos: From City Vows to Redwood Romance

After their vows, we drove over to Los Altos Redwood Grove, which — let me tell you — is such a hidden gem for portraits. It gave us those towering tree without the need for a major trek. Here, I stepped in a little more, offering gentle direction to capture the couple’s sweet chemistry and some classic (but never stiff) family portraits.

The last stop? A cozy restaurant dinner where the celebration continued — no big to-do, just love and laughter over shared plates. Honestly, isn’t that what it’s all about?

people doing a toast at a restaurant with wine glasses

Proof That Simple Doesn’t Mean Boring

Sure, San Jose City Hall may not have the wow factor of some other city halls, but real love doesn’t care about architecture. And if you still want those swoon-worthy romantic shots? That’s what local nature gems are for. Between their heartfelt vows and those dreamy redwood portraits, this elopement checked all the boxes — beauty, intimacy, and a totally stress-free timeline (three locations in three hours? Yes, please).