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Fort Mason Chapel

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San Francisco Wedding Location
Fort Mason, Franklin & Bay Street
San Francisco, CA
Contact: Rental Coordinator
Phone: 415/561-4374, 415/561-4300
www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
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Why We Like This Place

By 2002, almost all of Fort Mason had transitioned from being a military property to being part of the National Park System. And while the public may have heard about the switch, practically no one realized that the Fort Mason Chapel had become available for public ceremonies. That’s why the first bride to marry in the Chapel since the changeover discovered it by luck. One day while driving through San Francisco’s Marina district, she passed Fort Mason and caught sight of a little stucco church at the end of the treelined entrance. Immaculate and simple, it was exactly the kind of place she imagined for her wedding day. Her timing was impeccable: Upon inquiry, she learned that 54 years of military restrictions had just been lifted, and she could indeed tie the knot here. In June of 2002, she and her husband were very happy to be the first post-military-era couple to exchange vows within its walls.

That couple’s “discovery” of the chapel exemplifies its appeal: Although it’s situated in a lovely, well-known San Francisco location, it’s unexpectedly low-profile. In truth there’s nothing fancy about the chapel; its simplicity is its charm. Because it was built as a non-denominational place of worship for military services, the white semi-Mission style structure has a modicum of adornment, both inside and out. Those who have found it feel it was a stroke of serendipity that brought them to its doors, and that surely it was “meant to be” the site for their wedding.

One enters through arched doors into a small, square vestibule. Inside the nave of the chapel, it does feel like a devotional space, but religiosity is kept to a minimum. What is notable are ten stained-glass windows along both walls. Each one contains a motif from a particular branch of the Army, combined with symbols of one of the 12 Apostles or the Hebrew prophets. For history enthusiasts, there is a detailed, 23-page document written by Fort Mason clergy about the images and why they appear on the windows. For most people, however, it’s enough to simply enjoy the effect the windows create: When the afternoon sun slants in from the west, it sends colorful shapes across the pews and around the room.

Perched in the back of the chapel is a choir loft, which also provides an excellent vantage point for a photographer or videographer. The room features naturally superb acoustics, so a PA system is unnecessary for ceremonies. There’s a dressing room just off the vestibule for the bride and her party, and rooms behind the altar for the officiant, the groom and his attendants.

Fort Mason is part of a national park, so it’s also worthwhile to take a stroll outside the chapel. From the front steps, you can see the expanse of the Marina district in the foreground and Russian Hill and Pacific Heights rising up in the distance. Walking around the grounds you’ll find nicely landscaped gardens, historic military buildings, and stately eucalyptus trees. Indeed, inside the gates of this park it’s a peaceful setting, the quiet only broken by the occasional squawking of wild parrots, or the solemn moan of the foghorn blowing out in San Francisco Bay.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 192
Max. Seated Outdoors:

Max. Seated Indoors:
Max. Seated Outdoors:
Max. Standing Indoors:
Max. Standing Outdoors:

Max. Seated:

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Chapel holds 208, with pew seating for 192 guests.

Fees & Deposits

A $740 ($400 is nonrefundable) deposit is required to reserve your date, and is applied toward the $1,165 total fee. The use fee includes 3-hours’ use for setup, ceremony and breakdown; additional hours run $85/hour. A 1-hour rehearsal is included at no extra cost if scheduled Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm. The remaining balance is payable 2 months prior to the event.

Availability

Year-round, 8am–6pm. To find out if ceremonies can take place on holidays, call to confirm.

Alcohol

No Alcohol

Sites Uses

Ceremonies

Services/Amenities

Catering: food service is not allowed
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: chairs and pews provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: n/a
Restrooms: not wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: n/a
Bride’s Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: no
Parking: nearby lot
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: no
Outdoor Night Lighting: no
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: n/a
Cleanup: renter
View: park setting
Other: kneeler, podium and pedestals

Amplified Music

Indoors

Wheelchair Access

Not Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Park

Site Type

Church/Chapel/Temple
Historic/Landmark Building

Restrictions

Alcohol: not permitted
Smoking: not permitted
Music: amplified or acoustic OK indoors
Wheelchair Access: no
Insurance: required
Other: no rice, birdseed, petals or other
thrown materials; decorations require prior approval

Contact: Rental Coordinator
415/561-4374, 415/561-4300
www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
Email or request a proposal for your event from Fort Mason Chapel

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