Marin County Civic Center Wedding
San Rafael, CA
Gwen and Christopher’s Marin County Civic Center wedding was sweet, playful, and a perfect 1960s time capsule.
As their photographer, I absolutely loved capturing them in this stunning building. Gwen and Christopher share a love for the 1960s, as do I! In their initial inquiry, they mentioned they love iconic 1960s couple George Harrison and Pattie Boyd, and I knew we’d be a perfect match. As a vintage lover myself, this was truly a dream location.
The Marin County Civic Center was architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final public project. Completed in 1962, it’s an architectural marvel. I can’t stress enough how photogenic this building is. Even on a foggy day, the light filters in beautifully from giant skylights above. There are so many fun details, from a vintage newsstand to the most gorgeous drinking fountains I’ve ever seen! The building features shades of orange, peach, terracotta, and blue, which happen to be some of my favorite color combinations. There are lush, healthy plants throughout the building, which bring a beautiful pop of color to photos.
I photographed this micro wedding mainly on 35mm and medium format film for an authentic vintage feel, and all of the photos you see in this post were taken on film. Film really captures the rich colors beautifully!
To start off our day, Gwen and Christopher grabbed their marriage license, and we all headed to the garden for their ceremony.
Marin County Civic Center Wedding in the Garden
Couples can get married at the Marin County Civic Center by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10am, 11am, 1pm, or 2pm. The cost is an affordable $56. They may choose between the outdoor garden area or an indoor wedding room. Gwen & Christopher opted for the outdoor space. The ceremony is held in front of a fountain, with the building as a backdrop. I love the way the blue roof complements the icy blue of the fountain.
Gwen and Christopher were both decked out in head-to-toe 1960s outfits. Gwen wore a late 1960s lace dress she found at a thrift store, and Christopher wore a sharp suit with Beatles-esque boots. Gwen carried a sunflower bouquet, which brought a burst of color to the otherwise foggy day (typical for the Bay Area)! Their close family joined them for the ceremony.
After the ceremony and tearful hugs with family members, I went inside with the couple for photos. Compared to some more popular courthouses, it was empty! In our time there, I only saw one other couple taking photos. Because the space is so large, we didn’t have to wait for any photo spots and the experience was a breeze.
I will say, the building is quite a maze! We wandered through the multi-level building stumbling upon so many perfect photo vignettes. If you are planning a wedding here, I would recommend allowing yourself plenty of time for photos. It’s a massive space, and it takes a while to cover the whole place by foot. I know that next time I photograph a wedding there, I will come across even more new-to-me areas. The most popular spots are the Rotunda and escalator, so be sure to include those! My personal favorites were the newsstand and telephone – both felt so authentic to the era the center was built during.
I have another wedding booked at MCCC this June, and I can’t wait to return! If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your wedding on film at the Marin County Civic Center, I would love to chat.