If you’ve ever spent a summer in San Francisco, you know the city doesn’t always follow the usual seasonal script. While many parts of the country are basking in long, warm July days, the Bay Area is often blanketed in fog and cooled by Pacific breezes. Locals call it “Fogust” for a reason. Did you know that Why Fall Is San Francisco’s Secret “Second Summer” for Wedding Photos?

Once the calendar edges into fall, something shifts. The skies clear, the air warms, and the city seems to come alive with light. This is why many San Franciscans call autumn the region’s “second summer.” For couples searching for the best time to get married in San Francisco, this season stands out. September and October bring more reliable weather, golden natural light, and a backdrop that makes for breathtaking photos.

As the San Francisco wedding photographers at Original Weddings, we spend our summers working around foggy afternoons and sudden chills, but once fall arrives, everything changes. The light turns softer and more cinematic, the air feels inviting, and couples finally get the outdoor experience they imagined. Guests are more comfortable too, lingering outside during cocktail hour or dancing under the stars without heavy coats.

That’s why so many couples choose a September wedding in San Francisco. The galleries we deliver from this season have a glow that can’t be replicated any other time of year. Whether it’s the coastal beauty of Half Moon Bay, the vineyards of Livermore, or a serene city garden, fall gives us the perfect canvas to tell each couple’s story.

In this blog, we’ll take you behind the lens of six real weddings we photographed in September and October. These weddings show exactly why San Francisco’s ‘second summer’ might just be the perfect time for your own celebration.

Fall Wedding at Oceano Hotel & Spa in Half Moon Bay

Maddie & Derrick

Half Moon Bay is famous for its coastal charm, but summer fog can sometimes get in the way. Maddie and Derrick’s September wedding at the Oceano Hotel & Spa offered the best of both worlds: clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and breathtaking coastal views.

Their photos captured the harbor’s golden glow—soft enough to flatter every skin tone, yet vibrant enough to highlight the couple’s joyful portraits. Guests mingled outdoors well into the evening, enjoying a perfect balance of comfort and celebration that midsummer weddings can rarely guarantee.

Check out Maddie and Derrick’s Oceano Hotel & Spa wedding gallery here.

Golden Light and Rolling Hills: Poppy Ridge Wedding

Rae & Ben

Nestled in the rolling hills of Livermore Valley, Poppy Ridge Golf Course provided the perfect backdrop for Rae and Ben’s September wedding. As San Francisco wedding photographers, we loved capturing how autumn transformed the landscape—vibrant vineyards, sweeping fairways, and warm, golden light created a naturally stunning canvas for their portraits.

The golden hour was especially magical. The lower, softer sunlight wrapped Rae and Ben in a romantic glow, highlighting their smiles and the expansive countryside behind them. Guests enjoyed mingling outdoors, soaking in both the scenery and the comfortable fall weather—a balance that midsummer weddings can rarely offer.

From the intimate ceremony to the lively reception, every moment felt perfectly framed by the season. Fall’s gentle light allowed us to create images that feel timeless, vibrant, and full of emotion.

See how the autumn sunlight transforms this beautiful Bay Area venue—watch Rae & Ben’s wedding video to catch every golden moment, and explore their Poppy Ridge Golf Course Wedding blog here.

Sunset Magic & Balanced Timelines: Brentwood Rise Wedding

Abishai & Rianna

Abishai and Rianna’s wedding at Brentwood Rise showcased one of the advantages of fall weddings: balanced timelines. With the sun setting earlier than in midsummer, they were able to enjoy portraits in glowing daylight, transition seamlessly into dusk, and still have plenty of energy left for their evening celebration.

The late afternoon sunlight created a warm, inviting glow, enhancing the couple’s portraits and the surrounding scenery. Guests moved comfortably between outdoor and indoor spaces, enjoying every moment without the rush or intensity that summer heat can sometimes bring.

From heartfelt vows to lively reception festivities, each part of the day felt perfectly captured under fall’s gentle light. The season’s subtle warmth allowed for images that feel dynamic, romantic, and timeless. See even more of Abishai & Rianna’s day in their photo showcase, capturing additional beautiful moments.

See how Brentwood Rise comes alive in fall—watch Abishai & Rianna’s wedding video to experience the golden glow for yourself. Check out their Brentwood Rise Wedding blog here!

Redwood Romance: Fall Wedding at Old Mill Park

Cerise & Josh

A fall wedding beneath the towering redwoods always feels magical, but summer lighting can be tricky when harsh sun filters through the branches. Cerise and Josh’s Old Mill Park Redwood Grove celebration benefited from the softer, more diffused light of autumn.

Their wedding photos captured both the grandeur of the towering trees and the intimacy of the couple’s vows. Instead of harsh contrasts, the autumn light wrapped the Redwood Grove in an even glow, creating images that feel cinematic, serene, and timeless.

Check out their Old Mill Park Redwood Grove Wedding blog here!

Autumn Glow and Vineyard Vows at Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Sasha & William

Sasha and William’s fall wedding at Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley perfectly captured the elegance and warmth of wine country in autumn. The late-season vines still held grapes, and the rolling hills glowed with golden tones, creating a naturally stunning backdrop for every moment of their celebration.

The day’s consistent autumn light gave their wedding photos a polished, radiant quality. Portraits among the vineyards shimmered under the soft, golden glow, blending the season’s richness with the romance and intimacy of the couple’s vows. Guests enjoyed a comfortable and warm celebration, with the vineyard’s natural beauty enhancing every detail.

Check out their Bernardus Lodge & Spa Wedding blog here!

Autumn Harmony at San Mateo Japanese Garden

Jessica & Matthew

Jessica and Matthew’s fall wedding at San Mateo Japanese Garden perfectly blended summer’s lingering greenery with the first golden tones of autumn. The serene pathways, delicate bridges, and reflective ponds provided a tranquil backdrop, enhanced by soft, even light throughout the day.

Their portraits feel timeless—lush and natural, yet glowing with the warm ambiance that comes with autumn in the Bay Area. Guests enjoyed lingering outdoors comfortably, taking in the peaceful garden setting without the intensity of summer heat.

See how autumn transforms this serene garden—watch Jessica & Matthew’s wedding video to catch every glowing moment. Check out their San Mateo Japanese Garden Wedding blog here!

These six September weddings across San Francisco and the Bay Area demonstrate why fall is widely regarded as the ideal season for a wedding in the region.

Several patterns stand out across these celebrations:

Whether it’s a coastal ceremony, a vineyard celebration, a redwood grove, or a serene city garden, September weddings in San Francisco provide a naturally beautiful canvas. Photographers love how the season enhances landscapes, softens light, and adds warmth to every image.

While fall offers a “second summer” in San Francisco, every season brings its own unique charm for weddings. Spring provides lush greenery and blooming flowers, giving outdoor ceremonies a fresh, vibrant backdrop. Summer brings long evenings and lively energy, perfect for couples who love extended daylight and festive celebrations. Winter offers cozy, romantic atmospheres, often enhanced with twinkling lights and intimate indoor spaces.

Each season in the Bay Area presents photographers with natural advantages that help create unforgettable images. At Original Weddings, we use these seasonal opportunities to craft wedding galleries that highlight both the beauty of the surroundings and the unique personalities of each couple. From July sunshine to autumn glow or December twinkle lights, your wedding photos will reflect the magic of your chosen time.

Final Thoughts

San Francisco’s fall “second summer” is truly one of the Bay Area’s best-kept secrets. In this blog, we explored six incredible weddings—from the coastal charm of Half Moon Bay to the golden vineyards of Livermore, the serene redwoods of Old Mill Park, the elegance of Carmel Valley, and the tranquility of the San Mateo Japanese Garden. Each celebration showed why fall weddings in San Francisco offer ideal conditions: soft, cinematic light, comfortable temperatures, and stunning natural backdrops that make every portrait unforgettable.

These real weddings demonstrated the advantages of this season. From clear skies and gentle sunlight to balanced timelines and guest comfort, September weddings in San Francisco deliver a photography-friendly environment that midsummer weddings can rarely guarantee. Fall doesn’t just offer perfect weather—it creates atmosphere. It’s the glow of a coastal sunset, the warmth of a vineyard hillside, and the serene light of a garden, all captured beautifully in our galleries.

At Original Weddings, we specialize in capturing the magic of your day through both wedding photography and videography. With years of experience as San Francisco wedding photographers, we know how to use fall’s natural light to create timeless images and cinematic films. Whether you’re planning a fall wedding or a September wedding in San Francisco, our team ensures every moment is captured with warmth, style, and authenticity.

Fall is a season that every couple in the Bay Area should consider. Its golden light, inviting atmosphere, and unique charm make it the perfect time to celebrate love, offering a “second summer” that locals adore and photographers treasure.

Ready to capture your own fall wedding magic? Let’s create timeless memories together—contact us today and explore our San Francisco portfolio!