top of page

Crystal & Benjamin

Crystal & Benjamin

Wedding

 

🗓️ February 24, 2026

San Francisco, CA

 

Bride

Crystal Essex

 

 

Groom

Benjamin Hermes

 

 

Wedding Type

Civil Wedding

 

Guest Count

10

 

Bridal Party Amount

5

(Wedding Guests - not traditional “Bridesmaids”)

 

Unplugged Ceremony

Yes

 

Wedding Vows Info

Personal

 

  • Vows will be done at 2nd location (Palace of Fine Arts)

    • There is not enough time to do them at City Hall's ceremony

 

On-Site Contact

Crystal Essex

(Bride)

📞 Phone: 415-574-6962

 

Emergency Contact

N/A

 

📌 Locations

 

Ceremony

San Francisco City Hall 

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102

(Indoors - ROOM 160)

 

Website: 

www.sf.gov/location--san-francisco-city-hall

 

Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/e3YkjJR5Nxo1MbCg6

 

  • Room Number: 160

 

Couple's & Family Portraits A

Palace of Fine Arts 

3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123

(Outdoors/Indoors)

 

Website:

https://palaceoffinearts.com

 

Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BjbbSbwHU5TQDb9M8

 

  • Will have domes that are semi-covered. 

 

Couple's & Family Portraits B

Crissy Field / Presidio

San Francisco, CA 94129

(Outdoors)

 

Website: 

www.nps.gov/places/000/crissy-field.htm

 

Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UXhkPzQAmCgL1yoX6

 

Romantic Portraits

Lovers’ Lane at the Presidio

Lover's Ln, San Francisco, CA 94129

(Outdoors)

 

Website: 

https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/lovers-lane-trail

 

Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tQgorQGhx64Ygo9v5

 

Wedding Schedule: 

 

🗓️ Tuesday

February 24, 2026

(Time Zone: PST)

🌦️ Forecast - Chance of Rain

 

🕒 1:45 PM 

Photographer Arrival

(San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA - Indoors)

 

  • Contact Crystal (Bride/On-Site Contact), upon arrival

  • The couple and guests plan to arrive together in a limo at 2pm (approx.)

 

🕒 2:00 PM

Wedding Party Photos

(Conditional)

(San Francisco City Hall - Indoors)

 

  • If there's time, photographs will be taken with Bride and Groom's bridal party/family

 

🕒 2:15 PM

Ceremony Check-In

(San Francisco City Hall - Indoors - Room 160)

 

  • Photographer restricted from the private room / back office.

 

🕒 2:30 PM

Ceremony Starts

(San Francisco City Hall - Indoors - Rotunda/Gallery)

 

  • Unplugged Ceremony

  • No Aisle Walking

  • First Kiss

     

  • Approx. 5 minute Run Time

 

🕒 2:35 PM

Ceremony Ends

(San Francisco City Hall - Indoors - Rotunda/Gallery)


🌤️ [If No Rain]

 

🕒 3:00 PM

Personal Vows

(🌤️Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA - Outdoors/Indoors)

 

  • The couple might read their vows and would like those moments to be photographed.

 

🕒 3:10 PM

Family & Bridal Party Portraits

(🌤️Palace of Fine Arts - Outdoors/Indoors)

 

  •  The couple would like a good mix of both parties and everyone together (photo groupings)

 

🕒 3:20 PM

Couple's Portraits

(🌤️Palace of Fine Arts - Outdoors/Indoors)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured.

  • PHOTO: Get creative, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

 

🕒 3:50 PM

Couple's Portraits

(🌤️Lovers’ Lane at the Presidio, Lover's Ln, San Francisco, CA - Outdoors)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured.

  • PHOTO: Get creative, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

 

🕒 4:25 PM

Family & Bridal Party Portraits

(🌤️Crissy Field, San Francisco, CA 94129 - Outdoors)

 

  •  Couple would like a good mix of both parties and everyone together (photo groupings)

 

🕒 4:35 PM

Couple's Portraits

(🌤️Crissy Field, San Francisco, CA - Outdoors)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured.

  • PHOTO: Get creative, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

 

🕒 5:00 PM 

Photographer Departure

 

  • Say goodbye to Crystal and Benjamin before leaving.


🌧️ [If Raining]


🕒 2:45 PM

Personal Vows

(🌧️ San Francisco City Hall - Indoors)

 

  • The couple might read their vows and would like those moments to be photographed.


🕒 2:55 PM

Family & Bridal Party Portraits

(🌧️San Francisco City Hall - Indoors)

 

  •  Couple would like a good mix of both parties and everyone together (photo groupings)


🕒 3:10 PM

Couple's Portraits

(🌧️San Francisco City Hall - Indoors)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured.

  • PHOTO: Get creative, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

  

🕒 3:45 PM

Family & Bridal Party Portraits

(🌧️Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA - Under Domes)

 

  •  The couple would like a good mix of both parties and everyone together (photo groupings)

  

🕒 4:10 PM

Couple's Portraits

(🌧️Palace of Fine Arts - Under Domes)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured.

  • PHOTO: Get creative, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

 

🕒 5:00 PM 

Photographer Departure

 

  • Say goodbye to Crystal and Benjamin before leaving.

 

🎉Vendor List

 

Wedding Planner

N/A

 

Day-Of Coordinator / Event Designer

Crystal Essex

Benjamin Hermes

(Wedding Couple)

 

 

Videographer

N/A

 

📷 Photography

 

🔷 Dress Code

  • - No Style Preference -

    • Wear Black

    • "Dress comfortably and dress in layers" (prepare for any weather conditions)

 

⭐ Photography Style

  • Traditional / Portrait --- (posed and formal)

 

🖼️✂️ Final Look of Photos (Editing)

  • Bright / Airy

  • Cinematic / Film Look

  • Black and White

 

Photographer

Paola

📞 Phone: 510-904-1501

 

🕛 Start Time: 2:00 PM

(Arrive 15-30 minutes early for set up)

🕛 End Time: 5:00 PM

Coverage Total: 3 Hours

Notes / Instructions:

 

  • Shoot in RAW (full resolution), not JPG

     

  • Feel free to overshoot! The more to cull, the better!

     

  • Plan commute accordingly (travel times/duration, traffic density, weather conditions, etc).

    • Confirm you have the accurate location. If using GPS, type in the name of the venue with the city and verify it's the right place, avoiding the possibility of incorrect directions or destination.

     

  • Call the on-site contact(s) upon first arrival, stating that you're the photographer from Pluvia Studios. Make sure you are guided to the first shooting location on time to set up and start taking photos.

 

  • Capture every single grouping listed or suggested for photos. Repeat each grouping for each location (capture spot). Work with the day-of coordinator to ensure.

     

  • Alongside traditional poses, incorporate fun prompts or activities during the shoot to draw out genuine emotions and unexpected moments for varied, unique, and entertaining shots.

 

  • Get a variety of closeups and wide shots.

 

  • Watch your ISO levels

    • Don't shoot too dark (especially indoors)

    • Don't shoot too bright (especially outdoors)

  • Clean surfaces of objects before shooting (ex. dust, smudges, dirt)

    • Make sure your lenses are also clean at all times.

 

  • Watch out for your shadows and reflections (ex. mirrors) in the shots

 

  • Keep in mind that the schedule is subject to change at any point. Be prepared for anything.

    • Wedding formalities may not always be on time.

    • Planned events or activities may spontaneously occur out of order.

    • There's always a possibility of untold surprises from the couple, bridal party, and/or guests (ex. unexpected speeches or performances). 

       

  • Prioritize high quality work but also have fun! Enjoy and contribute positive energy to the couple, guests and staff!

 

Lead Photographer Full Name:

Paola Blanco

Phone: 510-904-1501

Email: paoblancophoto@gmail.com

  • 💲Payment: $300 USD

  • Camera Gear

    • Sony Alpha 7 IV 

    • Sony Alpha 7R V

  • Lenses

    • 24-70mm 2.8

    • 25mm 1.8 (city hall)

    • 70-200mm

  • Speedlights

    • Speedlight (unknown model)

 

After-shoot Review

  • [-------]

 

📃 Service Package:

 

Package Price

$900 USD

 

Inquiry Date

December 11, 2025

 

Consultation Date

December 12, 2025

 

Contract Signed

December 13, 2025

 

Booking Date / Deposit Made

December 13, 2025

 

Package Details

 

Photography Package

 

1 Wedding Photographer

3 Hours Coverage

100 Photos Delivered

 

Original Inquiry Message

“Hello! Getting married at city hall on 2-24-26 (Tuesday at 2:30pm) Looking for a photographer to capture some photos before and during the ceremony. Additionally would love to capture some photos after the ceremony either at Palace of fine Arts and or Chrissy Feilds. Would you please be able to send a quotes Transportation will be available for you after the ceremony going to the next photo place. Thank!”

 

Mailing Address

1322 48th Ave San Francisco, CA 94122

 

Referral

Zola



 

❌ OBSOLETE:


Romantic Portraits (Backup)

Conservatory of Flowers

100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

(Indoors)

 

Website: 

https://gggp.org/conservatory-of-flowers

 

Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KXFUKvJ54cSGQLdd6

 

🕒 0:00 AM/PM

Mock Signing Portraits???

(Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA - Outdoors/Indoors)

 

  • Romantic portraits will be captured/filmed.

  • PHOTO/VIDEO: Get creative, work together, and contribute giving direction to get captivating shots + clips of the couple

bottom of page