SLO CAL's unique venues are as romantic as they come and—pinch yourself—they're totally real

We get it. You're not just any bride! Perhaps you want to tie the knot in an old barn after dismounting a dusty Palomino. Maybe you yearn to kiss your soon-to-be-spouse in a 1930s era warehouse while a turntable spins a centuries-old tune. Maybe you're more into frolicking with your beloved through a chardonnay vineyard while your guests shower you with lavender blooms. In SLO CAL, no idea is too far out, no request too fantastical. With perfect sunny weather all year round, romantic coastal sunsets, and resplendent venues around every bend, your wedding fantasy is served on a silver platter. Just don't call it your “dream” wedding. In SLO CAL, every dream wedding can become a reality!

Outdoorsy I Do's

Get a little dirt on your rings! You have forever to clean up your act. For now, take a romp on the romantic side.

Hitch your pony (and get hitched) at Creston's The Loading Chute, a down-home restaurant known for its classic SLO CAL barbecue. With a barn out back for the reception and a grassy meadow for the ceremony, your guests can kick their boots after enjoying a plate of pit beans and ti-tip.

Imagine just how pastoral your cream-colored gown will look backdropped by an old fashioned gazebo. Atascadero's Pavilion at the Lake offers calm, placid waters, lush foliage, a reception ballroom on the water (and paddle boats, should you should dare to use them) offers up more “rustic” for your buck. With an ample, time-worn barn, acres of open grassland and all the twinkling stars you could ever want to see on your big night, this oak-studded agricultural setting offers up all the majesty of the great outdoors. Santa Margarita in Santa Margarita Ranch

“The Packing Shed” may not sound like the most romantic venue, but wait till you experience its rough-hewn history. This hidden Morro Bay gem is surrounded by leafy trees and boasts the perfect climate (for your wedding and for growing nearby avocados). With an Old West style structure on site and a big, wooden gazebo large enough to host a buffet style meal set-up, this is where coastal cowfolk find their happily ever after.

Beachy Brides Have More Fun

Your love story is as vast as the ocean. Why not get married with the waves crashing at your bare feet?

 Want sun and sand on your wedding day? Avila Lighthouse Suites sits just steps from the sands of picture-perfect Avila Beach. In addition to the hotel's stunning location, all-suite accommodations, full-service spa, and professional event planning services, the sun-soaked beachfront resort offers inclusive wedding packages and three on-site wedding venues for couples to choose from.

Set your horizon on forever. SeaVenture Beach Hotel in Pismo Beach is a truly golden wedding destination, featuring pristine white sands to rival your dress. Sink your toes into this choice coastal terrain and be prepared with some SPF, because fog is not on the agenda. Post-ceremony, couples and their guests can quickly head to the hotel and restaurant, where wind-swept terraces await.

Get ready for romance. Nestled amid the magical seaside landscape of Cambria, Cambria Pines Lodge provides a tranquil place to tie the knot just minutes from Moonstone Beach and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Encompassing 25 acres of stunning gardens and Monterey pine forest, the boutique hotel features spacious rooms and suites (yes, they're pet friendly, if your ring bearer happens to be a bull dog). Thoughtful amenities include a therapeutic day spa, heated outdoor pool, hot tub and more. Let's just say your wedding will seamlessly blend into your honeymoon.

Wedding photos are forever, Capture the unmatched grandeur of Highway 1 in what will surely be a stack of insanely gorgeous images. Yes, the Ragged Point Inn at Ragged Point is a very special slice of heaven sure to heighten the romance factor by at least one thousand percent. Enjoy incredible coastal views of dramatic cliffs and endless blue ocean, savor creative cuisine options, and make good use of the Solarium and Cliff House. Of course, your guests can also stay onsite (and enjoy all those primo coastal views, too).

One for the History Books

You're more than a little quirky and proud of it, too. Of course, you'd choose a wedding venue torn from the pages of a fairytale!

Think small. The Harmony Chapel in the tiny coastal town of Harmony (population 18, if you count the cows) is a one-of-a-kind place to wed, that's for sure. The cozy, enchanted-looking chapel is surrounded by charming gardens and a quaint village complete with a miniature post office. Stroll the cobblestone paths with your beloved for a fanciful photo opp, then dance the night away under a blanket of stars.

Going for that retro appeal? Situated in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, The Penny SLO is a 1930s era blacksmith shop-turned-unique event venue with a well-worn patina. Feel free to invite everyone on your list: this ample venue boasts a whopping 3,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space! Smooch it up in the outside courtyard, pose for photos in front of the industrial-chic exposed brick walls and celebrate the evening festivities with the help of a swanky bar setup. It's the bee's knees!

If bustles, corsets and manicured rose gardens ignite your passion, this one's for you. The Dana Powers House and Barn in Nipomo is like something painted on a Victorian-era postcard. Plan a beautifully buttoned-up (or down) wedding ceremony and reception amid lace doilies, floral tapestries and polished brass fixtures. With such old fashioned decadence at your gloved fingertips, you'll feel like you and your beloved have landed on the cover of a romance novel. Go with it!

Something Blue (and red, and white, too)

They popped the question. Now, pop the cork! Celebrate your big day at the mother of all scenic SLO CAL wedding venues: a sprawling vineyard.

The folks at Castoro Cellars in Templeton understand why couples seek to get married at their winery—it's all the beautiful grape vines! Wed the love of your life while surrounded by a hun­dred-foot arbor over­flow­ing with zin­fan­del grapes, dance on a large wooden deck amid the vineyard and sip the sweetest wine you've ever tasted. Watch your love grow and ripen, too.

A grand entrance: Only eight miles north of downtown Paso Robles, Villa San-Juliette's Tuscan-styled property features a breathtaking upper lawn accompanied by an outdoor arbor and patio that whispers “Wine Country class.” This romantic outdoor setting located in San Miguel offers up an enviable vineyard backdrop for stunning panoramic photos.

A barrel of love: The vineyards are lovely, but have you seen the barrel room? Cass Winery's newly renovated barrel room offers up an elegant space to be married nestled in the heart of a sprawling Paso Robles vineyard. A wrap-around veranda provides the perfect haven from the elements, while still offering a majestic view of the surrounding hills, vines, and oak trees. Plus, the lighting and acoustics inside the barrel room provide a great location for a live band and dancing!

More Real Life SLO CAL Wedding Venue Ideas to Daydream About

You may kiss the princess! Don your rightful crown and get married inside a gothic castle-turned-winery at Tooth and Nail Winery in Paso Robles.
Thinking of wearing a pink dress? You'll be in good company at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, home of the classic Pink Champagne Cake. Yes, the frosting on top is pink (just like everything else).