As a Bay Area wedding photographer, I’m always looking for hidden gems. I definitely found one when I was invited to shoot for my friend Carter’s Marin County Civic Center wedding. It was a beautiful day to honor their love for each other, and we ended up having a great time taking portraits together. I was inspired by this shoot and I really want to share it with you, so let’s talk about having a Marin County Civic Center wedding.

Location of Marin County Civic Center

If you’re looking to tie the knot without a ton of fanfare, the Marin County Civic Center allows you to elope and make it all about the two of you. The Marin County Civic Center is located at 3501 Civic Center Dr. in San Rafael. Its centralized location means it’s right next to good eats, state parks, and other recreational spots for you to celebrate post-vows. The center is also around the corner from San Rafael Airport, so you can get on a plane for an early honeymoon—no questions asked.

Marin County Civic Center Wedding

Weddings and elopements at the Marin County Civic Center are easy and beautiful. Ceremonies are available for less than $60.00, and from 9am-4pm Monday through Friday. Just call or email the County Clerk’s office to book your appointment. Their website is super helpful; your elopement is just a click away.

Your Photos at the Marin County Civic Center

I was happily surprised by the beautiful architecture in the Marin County Civic Center. For your wedding or elopement photos here, you can expect soft light from the rooftop windows. Most of the center is decorated in vibrant red, green, and gold, which looks elegant in portraits. Art deco installations, textured greenery, and accent walls make striking backdrops for modern wedding photos.

Your wedding photos should reflect the two of you and your journey together, so every couple is a little different. But in this shoot, I honed in on the symmetry of the architecture to add dynamic interest to the photos. Each photo is its own little art piece.

I’d really love to shoot another Marin County Civic Center Wedding or elopement. I feel there is so much potential in this space! Are you planning your wedding here? I’d love to be your Bay Area wedding photographer, so reach out.