Best San Luis Obispo Wedding Venues

San Luis Obispo wedding venues have so much to offer from beaches, vineyards, views, outdoor al fresco dining as well as inside reception areas. If you’re looking to host your timeless destination wedding here, these are the best San Luis Obispo wedding venues. As a San Luis Obispo wedding photographer, I have a lot of experience showing off their best features. They stand the test of time and provide truly luxurious and timeless photos of your destination wedding. Plus, the light we have on the Central Coast is unmatched in gold glow.

Before you check out our amazing venues below, see four reasons why you should get married here!

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4 reasons

to get married in San Luis Obispo

01 A TRUE DESTINATION

A TRUE DESTINATION

A beautiful part of California's coast, it resembles so many parts of the world without the distance. In the spring with it's green hills, cows and horses you are transported to the hills of Scotland or the coast of Ireland. In the summer, you're reminded of Tuscany vineyards and the adobes of Spain. In the fall the are turns into a picturesque snapshot into the Pacific North West and East Coast. You really get a little bit of everything here.

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues landscape photo of couple cuddling on the Central Coast of California by luxury destination photographer Jessica Sofranko

02 ACCESSIBLE LOCATION

ACCESSIBLE LOCATION

Beautifully set halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo provides an optimum location for your destination wedding. Accessible by many airports, car and train, SLO transports you to a world away. Wineries, Just south of Big Sur, Monterey & Carmel by the Sea, San Luis Obispo offers exciting day trip options. Santa Barbara to the south offers another day trip option for your guests.

03 VACATION FOR EVERYONE

VACATION FOR EVERYONE

The Central Coast is filled with wineries, breweries, distilleries, good restaurants for foodies, and everything you need for a festive celebration. Trails with breathtaking views accessible by hiking or biking neighbor the downtown area and surround San Luis Obispo. Of course, you can't forget the ocean. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and beach play complete the vacation vibes of the area.

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues La Lomita Ranch couple cuddling at cocktail hour

04 TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

Our community of wedding vendors in San Luis Obispo is unlike anywhere I've ever photographed. We share a vision of dedication to serving our clients and performing at our best. A rising tide lifts all boats and our vendor (aka "friend-or") relationships reflect that well.

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues wine pouring during outdoor dinner in light tunnel

wedding venues in SLO

While there are more than what I have above, these are some of my favorite wedding venues in SLO. I have categorized them into:

Top 3 Wedding Venues

Winery Wedding Venues

Europe Inspired Venues

Venues with a view

Beach Venues

Iconic Wedding Venues

Top 3 Best San Luis Obispo

wedding venues

Greengate Ranch and Vineyard

Best Feature: Stunning grounds

Onsite Accommodations: Yes

6 minutes from the airport

One of my favorite things about Greengate Ranch and Vineyard as a San Luis Obispo wedding venue is is its diversity of unique spaces to celebrate in. You have multiple options for both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception. Spaces with completely different vibes. Not into the barn look? Greengate Ranch and Vineyard offers an all white indoor space - a designer’s dream. Willow trees, olive trees, vines and horses decorate the property. While you feel a world away, it’s one of the few San Luis Obispo wedding venues that are only a short drive to downtown San Luis Obispo. Guest houses and cottages provide the perfect set up to get ready onsite with your closest friends and family.

Madonna Inn

Best Feature: Unique Quirky Vibe

Onsite Accommodations: Yes

10 minutes from the airport

What is more iconic than the ornately artistic Madonna Inn? With over one hundred uniquely decorated rooms, Madonna Inn is famous for its bright pink and floral patterns, handcrafted colorful glass goblets, rock decor and waterfalls. Set into the hills of Cerro San Luis, Madonna Inn is located in the heart of SLO. Often compared to Disneyland, Madonna Inn quickly became one of my favorite wedding venues in San Luis Obispo. Several reception rooms are available for your celebration as well as an outdoor area in their Secret Garden. The possible portrait locations are absolutely endless and show off the fun and beauty of the Central Coast.

Best San Luis Obispo Iconic wedding venues Madonna Inn goblets with florals by MDL Events by photographer Jessica Sofranko

La Lomita Ranch

Best Feature: Spanish Flair

Onsite Accommodations: Yes

5 minutes from the airport

Another fantastic barn alternative is La Lomita Ranch. While there is a barn on the property, it’s actually used to house horses making it an entertaining activity for your guests. La Lomita Ranch offers several outdoor options for your ceremony and reception as well as their Pavilion for an indoor reception space. With a Spanish flair, this San Luis Obispo wedding venue offers a dose of wine country with vineyards, a view of the hills and a pond, along with an epic tree lined driveway. La Lomita Ranch also has accommodations available which makes the getting ready process incredibly easy.

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La Lomita Ranch

Best San Luis Obispo Winery Wedding Venues in Paso Robles Opolo Vineyard bride and groom walking in vines by photographer Jessica Sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo Wedding Venues Biddle Ranch Winery couple in neutral outfit for engagement session by photographer Jessica Sofranko

San Luis Obispo winery venues

• Greengate Ranch and Vineyard

• Biddle Ranch Vineyard

San Luis Obispo is home to many winery wedding venues. Only a stone's throw from downtown San Luis Obispo is Greengate Ranch and Vineyard and Biddle Ranch Vineyard. As a winery open to the public, Biddle Ranch Vineyard makes the most amazing sparkling wine, perfect for your celebration. Have select guests stay on the property in its Biddle Ranch Vineyard House. Greengate offers multiple location options for celebrations including two indoor reception areas. Both of these venues shine in top-notch design for your luxuriously classic California wedding.

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Europe Inspired venues

• Villa Loriana

• La Lomita Ranch

• Chateau Noland

Want to feel transported to Europe without the travel time? Take a look at Villa Loriana , Chateau Noland or La Lomita Ranch. These San Luis Obispo wedding venues each have their own European features resembling the countryside of France, Italy and more. Your guests will truly have the destination wedding experience without ever leaving California. Both Villa Loriana and La Lomita Ranch offer grand indoor reception spaces. Accommodations for your closest guests are available at La Lomita Ranch and Chateau Noland.

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Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues La Lomita Ranch water fountain with spanish tile in front of ceremony site

best San Luis Obispo inspired wedding venues europe inspred chateau noland

best san luis obispo winery wedding venues couple kissing in front of cyrpress trees by paso robles photographer jessica sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues The White Barn Edna Valley ceremony site with view of rolling SLO hills

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues with a view of rolling of hills La Cuesta Ranch

Best San Luis Obispo Wedding Venues Higuera Ranch main house by luxury photographer Jessica Sofranko

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wedding venues with a view

• The White Barn Edna Valley

• Higuera Ranch

• The Casitas Estate
• La Cuesta Ranch

Other favorite wedding venues in San Luis Obispo offer a gorgeous view of the rolling hills. The White Barn Edna Valley and The Casitas Estate offer views of th e hills as one of their ceremony options. While Higuera Ranch and La Cuesta Ranch offer hill top sunsets, the perfect spot for your sunset photos.

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beach wedding venues

• Cass House

• Ventana Grill

• Windows on the Water
• Avila Beach Golf Resort

Want to have beach sunset photos but don't want to get married on the beach? These San Luis Obispo wedding venues are perfect for you. Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach offers an outdoor ocean cliff ceremony and indoor reception space with windows galore and a deck where your guests can enjoy a sunset. Windows on the Water in Morro Bay offers both an indoor ceremony and reception with the most amazing food. Another beach venue with amazing food is the Cass House in Cayuco s. Garden ceremony with a screened outdoor reception space with heaters make it nice and cozy for a celebratory meal. Lastly, Avila Beach Golf Resort provides a beautiful setting with indoor and outdoor options. All around ocean views protected from the elements sounds pretty amazing to me.

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Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues at the beach Ventana grill by photographer jessica sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo wedding venues at the beach in Morro Bay Windows on the Water bride and groom walking on the beach by photographer Jessica Sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo Iconic wedding venues Madonna Inn inside ceremony florals by MDL Events by photographer Jessica Sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo Iconic wedding venues Madonna Inn bride with bouquet by MDL Events by photographer Jessica Sofranko

Best San Luis Obispo Iconic wedding venues Madonna Inn bride and groom with road sign by photographer Jessica Sofranko

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iconic wedding venues in SLO

• Madonna Inn

• The Penny

• Harmony Chapel

Iconic venues give you and your guests the best backgrounds for photos. Madonna Inn's uniqueness can't be matched. This famous funky hotel is full of quality craftsmanship that's sure to play on your fun side. The Penny is a converted brick garage located in downtown San Luis Obispo offering endless options for accommodations, restaurants and after party locations. Harmony Chapel is an entire town of Harmony if you can believe it with a population of 18. Talk about iconic! Best for intimate weddings Harmony is an experience your guests will remember!

4 Reasons to Get
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Artful Wedding Photography Eliciting Happy Tears

at First Glance & Decades Later

Sound like just what you’re looking for on one of your most emotive days? I’d be honored to join you, capturing your story and the beauty of California’s Central Coast.

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"I was in tears looking through all of the perfect memories she captured."

Jessica was amazing! During and after our wedding so many of our guests complimented on how awesome our photographer was and mentioned she was everywhere, capturing all the special moments. I could not be happier with our experience.

— Jess & Jeff

This is the art of expertly crafted images that preserve a time, a place, and a feeling.

I document love stories, without exception.

All races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and identities are welcomed and celebrated.

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