A bay view ceremony and bright, windowed reception space in the heart of San Francisco
above the rim at chase center
THE ultimate Venue GUIDe To
Above the Rim sits inside Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, in San Francisco. You get a ceremony balcony with views of the bay and a large reception room lined with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. It's a beautiful venue, and it rewards couples who plan around its logistics.
Because it's also an arena, every guest and vendor goes through security, and there's one guest elevator up to the event space. Parking depends on whether there's a game or event that day. None of this is a dealbreaker. It just needs to be in your timeline from the start.
At Billy & Christine's wedding, the balcony fit 140 chairs and the reception room held 14 tables of 10, a sweetheart table, a 16' x 15' dance floor, a DJ, a photo booth and food stations, with room to spare. Plan to get ready at a nearby hotel, and expect three great portrait spots within a short walk.
I photographed Billy & Christine's wedding at Above the Rim on October 10, 2026. This guide covers what I learned that day so you can plan a day that feels relaxed instead of rushed.
THE PERFECT VENUE
Explore a few of My favorite wedding images from Billy & Christine's wedding at Above the Rim
featured WORK
The balcony
Say your vows with the bay behind you. It's smaller than you might expect, but it fit 140 chairs and a 50-foot aisle. Part of it falls into shade in the later afternoon. It's a great spot for family formals too.
Reception
A large room with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, so it feels open and bright. There's no separate cocktail hour room, and guests walk through here to reach the balcony. Plan curtains or dividers if you want a reveal.
getting ready nearby
Above the Rim doesn't have a true getting-ready space, so plan on a nearby hotel. Billy & Christine got ready at LUMA Hotel. Build in travel time plus the security line before your first look.
Bayfront park
My pick for golden hour portraits. The sun drops behind the buildings well before sunset, so plan portraits 60 to 90 minutes early. Allow about 10 minutes round trip for traffic lights and the elevator.
A mosaic wall in open shade with soft, even light, close to the venue. Billy & Christine did their first look here. It's on a public stairway, so expect some foot traffic.
Thrive City Mosaic Wall
Above the Rim fits a lot into one floor, and some of the best photo spots are a short walk away. Here's where I'd plan your photos.
Inspiration
Above the Rim wedding
A FEW OF MY MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT Photographing WEDDINGS AT above the rim at chase center
FAQ
I'd plan to get ready off-site. The floor plan lists a groom's suite, but it's a storage area next to the kitchen. The bridal suite is a long storage closet with a small seating area, fine for a quiet few minutes but not for hair and makeup. Billy & Christine got ready at LUMA Hotel nearby. If you want getting-ready photos at your hotel, add travel time plus the security line to your timeline.
Check the Chase Center event calendar as soon as you pick a date. On a game or event day, parking needs to be reserved at Oracle Lot A, off Mission Rock Street. With no game or event, you can request to reserve a limited number of spaces in the on-site garage, and the rest of your guests park at Oracle Lot A or take a rideshare. If most guests are at a nearby hotel, encourage rideshare.
No. Guests walk through the reception room to reach the balcony, so if you want a reveal, bring in curtains or temporary dividers. After the ceremony, the outdoor space is flipped for cocktail-style use, so build that turnover into your timeline. This also means the ceremony is the only time to photograph the room empty. If that shot matters to you, a second photographer or a carefully planned timeline makes it possible.
As of 2026, Here Comes The Guide lists the rental fee at $20,000 to $25,000 per event, depending on the day of the week. That covers 12 hours of exclusive use of the venue and terrace, tables for up to 150 guests, security, custodial service, and the in-house sound system. Catering and bar service are separate. Pricing changes, so request a current quote from the venue.
For couples without a first look, I recommend planning about 60 minutes for portraits. If you choose to see each other beforehand, 90 minutes provides a comfortable amount of time. By spreading portraits between the first look, newlywed moments, and sunset, we can fully utilize the areas around Chase Center and create a varied, relaxed set of images.
Yes, Above the Rim at Chase Center requires at least a month of coordinator or wedding planner. This ensures your wedding runs smoothly and that all vendors remain compliant with the venue’s guidelines. If you’re still searching for one, I’ve shared some of the best wedding planners in Napa Valley here.
You’re weighing your options, gathering ideas, and looking for a venue that not only photographs beautifully but feels like the place where you can genuinely picture yourselves saying “I do.”
And while you’re excited, you’re also hoping to find someone who can make this whole process feel a little easier. Someone who understands how San Francisco venues work, how the light shifts in the city, how timelines flow on properties like Above the Rim at Chase Center, and how to help you feel calm and confident every step of the way.
That’s where I come in. I’m here to guide you with clarity, gentle direction, and a photography approach rooted in ease and preparation… so you can stop carrying every decision alone and start imagining a wedding day that feels beautifully intentional from beginning to end.
Bay area Wedding & Portrait Photographer
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Whether you’re getting married at Above the Rim at Chase Center or somewhere else in Wine Country, I would love to be considered for your day.
If you’re interested in working with me, the best way to reach me is by filling out the form below with your wedding date and location. If you’ve filled out the form and haven’t heard from me, email me directly at: info@kristencampbellphoto.com