A Seaplane San Francisco Elopement

San Francisco is a fabulous place for an elopement with countless opportunities to make new memories and is the perfect location for those who love the city and nature vibes! Many boutique and luxury hotels are spread throughout the city offering stunning places to stay for groups of all sizes. San Francisco is also a foodie lover’s paradise! It’s important to make a few special stops throughout your day! (Did someone say Oysters?)

There are so many activities to enjoy in the area, but planning an excursion with Seaplane Adventures is an incredible opportunity. Make sure to tell them what you are most excited to see on your flight and they will help craft a custom experience for you. They can even fly you into your ceremony location at select beach areas in San Francisco! This is a way to make an entrance and remarkable memories on your day.

The Experience

The entire San Francisco elopement day was a highlight, however, our overall experience with Seaplane Adventures was incredible. We were greeted with champagne and a smiling crew. Fresh bouquets awaited us too! Gayle from Bloomingayles did a fabulous job and was so sweet to deliver them.

We had some time before our flight, so we explored the docks and the other plane sitting in the water. It was so exciting watching our plane arrive on the water, knowing we were soon about to be in the air too! Caroline and Britney are friends of mine and are from San Francisco. They were blown away by the flight and were overwhelmed with excitement and emotion flying over the city that they love so much. We soared over Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, the City of San Francisco and it’s Northern California coast. Caroline said how incredible it was to see the places that she knows so well from such a new perspective. Their awe and nostalgia were palpable throughout the flight. Caroline and Britney were beaming after and said they would 10/10 recommend it to anyone, especially for an elopement day.

After our epic Seaplane Adventure we headed to the coastline for some beautiful sunset photos and a private vow exchange above Sutro Baths. It was so cool seeing the area from above and now being able to take it in from the bluffs. This was such a magical evening and it was so special documenting the love between Britney and Caroline.

San Francisco Elopement Planning Tips

• Make sure to design your San Francisco elopement day with ample amount of time for travel/traffic, delicious food stops, and moments to just be and enjoy each other.
• Depending on the time of year, there may be fog, also known as “Karl.” Karl may dampen some of the sunlight, but it can also make for some unique lighting opportunities. Make sure to bring layers as the weather can quickly become a bit chilly… especially in the summer! Early Spring and Fall are the best times of year for weather. 
• There are so many places to explore along the Coast of San Francisco. Making a list of the types of adventures you want to go on, the memories you want to create, and how you want to feel on your day is so important. Working closely with your photographer, you will be able to map out an unforgettable day and experience. 

San Francisco Special Use Permit

Most of the coast is preserved by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A Special Park Use permit is required for an outdoor ceremony or portraits can be found here. Additional information about ceremony site locations and group size options can be found here. The permit application has an initial cost of $60. The final cost is determined by the scope of the elopement and the number of people attending. It takes 4-15 business days for initial review and can take several months for a permit to be drafted. (It has not taken this long in my experience). They accept applications up to a year in advance and popular locations fill up quickly so make sure to get your application in as soon as you know where you want to elope!

Following Leave NO Trace for your San Francisco Adventure Elopement

• The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is popular so it is important to plan and prepare for this. Celebrating on a weekday during sunrise or sunset may be better and less crowded. Be courteous to others who are also sharing in the beauty of the area.
• The coastal area is very delicate. Stay on the trails and tread lightly.
• Most of the locations inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offer parking, restrooms and accessible trails. In-depth planning with your photographer will help you find the right location that is best fitted for your elopement in this beautiful area. 

This San Francisco Adventure Elopement was also featured on Wandering Weddings. Click here to view more.

Photographer: @christinaperhacphoto

Seaplane Adventures: @seaplaneadventures

Bloomingayles: @bloomingayles_marin

Dress Rental: @flutterdress

Your San Francisco Elopement Awaits!

Dreaming of a stunning elopement surrounded by the beauty California’s nature has to offer? Are you the kind of couple that lives for new experiences? Let’s bring your elopement vision to life!