A practical Central Coast planning resource
San Luis Obispo wedding vendors worth exploring.
People I’m happy to share with you, from planners and florists to the folks who keep everyone dancing. Find a few local favorites for each part of your celebration.
Use this as a starting point
People who bring a celebration together.
I’ve met so many generous, talented people while photographing weddings here. This is a place to find some of them.
For queer couples, I’ve given our affirming favorites their own section. You shouldn’t have to explain why being welcomed matters.
Photography + cinematic films
Meet Robin + Blake at SLOtography.
I also photograph weddings with the SLOtography team. If you’re looking for a full cinematic wedding film or another photographic perspective, Robin and Blake are two people I’m glad to point you toward.
Robin Ayers
they/them · cinematic wedding films
If you’d love a fully produced wedding film, start with Robin’s work. Explore their films with SLOtography and see whether the style fits what you’re imagining.
Explore Robin’s filmsBlake Andrews
he/him · wedding photography
Blake brings a relaxed approach and his own photographic eye. Get to know him, explore SLOtography’s work, and ask about booking with Blake.
Meet Blake at SLOtographyYour local little black book
Build your wedding team.
Familiar collaborators, places I love photographing, and a few new options to explore. These wedding vendors serve San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast, with travel-based artists noted below. Start with what you need, then talk through your date, budget, and plans.
A welcome you shouldn’t have to wonder about
For our queer couples.
You deserve a team that’s genuinely happy to celebrate you. Start with these queer-affirming favorites, then browse the full directory for the rest of your plans.
People I’m happy to recommend
Blake + Robin at SLOtographyLoven Light EventsDanté MarshLouLouZenDogThe Queen’s BeesHaute SkilletDJ Damian CamachoMadonna InnRagged Point Inn
More places to start
Avenue Twelve is an LGBTQ+-owned rental and design business. Tigerlily Salon and Lucky Devils Band explicitly welcome LGBTQIA+ wedding clients in their public service information.
Look for the linked ownership and inclusion labels below. They’ll take you to the source.
A ceremony that welcomes you.
These local officiants have publicly welcomed LGBTQIA+ couples or have documented queer-wedding experience. Explore their work and ask about your date.
Rabbi Janice Mehring
Jewish, interfaith, and nonreligious ceremonies. Janice officiated Sidnie + Monique’s wedding in Cambria.
SLO Ministers
Patrick Moran and Chris Jenkins offer personalized ceremonies across SLO County, including same-sex weddings.
Kelli K
An Atascadero officiant for weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Kelli’s profile explicitly welcomes same-sex couples.
About the labels
Queer-affirming / ally: people and businesses I personally recommend for our LGBTQIA+ couples. LGBTQIA+ inclusive: an explicit public service policy. Queer-owned · James confirms: ownership I know firsthand. LGBTQ+-owned, Black-owned, and women-owned: ownership listed in a public business profile, linked on the label.
Ownership and an inclusive service policy are different things; one doesn’t automatically establish the other. A missing label just means I haven’t confirmed it. Worth exploring marks an additional option, rather than someone I’m presenting as a past collaborator.
Planning + coordination
- Loven Light Events Queer-owned · James confirmsQueer-affirming · James recommends
Planning and design with Scott, plus DJ and MC services with his husband, Bert. Friends of mine and a team I love working with.
- LouLou Event Planning Queer-affirming · James recommends
Planning, coordination, and styling from one of my favorite people to work with.
- Joyfully Joined Events
Mary brings thoughtful planning and a wonderfully welcoming presence. We’ve worked together at Heritage Estate.
- Simply Treasured Events
Anissa and the team handle timelines and coordination with care. Always a pleasure to work alongside.
Places to celebrate
- Madonna Inn Queer-affirming · James recommends
Pink rooms, playful interiors, and plenty of personality. A familiar favorite in my wedding galleries.
- Ragged Point Inn Queer-affirming · James recommends
Ocean cliffs and coastal light at the southern end of Big Sur. Beautiful for a ceremony with a view.
- Camp Ocean Pines
A Cambria camp with pine trees, ocean views, and cabins for a wedding weekend together.
- Almond Springs
Open country, old ranch textures, and room to celebrate in Paso Robles. I loved photographing Olivia & Felicity here.
Food + grazing tables
- ZenDog LGBTQIA+ ally · James recommends
Friends of mine serving creative hot dogs and locally inspired street food. A fun, unfussy catering option.
- Haute Skillet Queer-affirming · James recommends
Chef Anna’s food truck and catering for wedding dinners, rehearsal gatherings, and celebrations around the county.
- LouLou Cheese Girl Queer-affirming · James recommends
Generous grazing tables and cheese boards that give everyone an excuse to gather around.
- Trumpet Vine Catering
Wedding food and bar service from a team I’ve photographed at La Lomita Ranch.
Hair + makeup
- The Queen’s Bees Queer-affirming · James recommendsWomen-owned ↗
Hair, makeup, and grooming from a team I regularly see caring for my couples and their wedding parties.
- Tigerlily Salon
Wedding beauty without rigid gender roles, with styling options built around your hair and your expression.
- Bellizzimo Beauty
On-location wedding hair and makeup; part of the creative team at a recent Harmony celebration.
Flowers
- Lori Boe Floral Design
Bouquets, ceremony flowers, and reception arrangements. A familiar name across weddings I’ve photographed.
- Frugal & Foraged
Jay’s organic, textured floral work is lovely for a less traditional celebration. See our recent Madonna Inn collaboration.
- Brooke Edelman Floral Design
Wedding flowers with a personal touch; part of the team at a recent Rod & Hammer wedding I photographed.
DJs + MCs
- Bert at Loven Light Queer-owned · James confirmsQueer-affirming · James recommends
DJ and MC support, from ceremony sound to the dance floor. One of my favorite people to have on the team.
- DJ Damian Camacho Queer-affirming · James recommends
A longtime favorite for music and a warm, easygoing presence on a wedding day.
- Kramer Events
DJ, lighting, and photo-booth options from a team I’ve worked with at many local weddings.
- Epic Entertainment
Music, event entertainment, and photo booths. Ask which setup suits your venue and guest count.
Live bands + musicians
- Danté Marsh + The Vibe Setters Queer-affirming · James recommends
A good friend of mine with soulful vocals and a feel-good local sound. Ask Danté about solo or band bookings for your celebration.
- Lucky Devils Band
A flexible live-band lineup for the ceremony, cocktails, and dancing. I photographed them at Ragged Point.
- Blitz Nation
Live bands, smaller ensembles, and DJ combinations. Part of Justin & Paul’s celebration at CaliPaso.
- Come Alive Entertainment
Live music with Dan Curcio, plus band and DJ options for different parts of the day.
Cinematic wedding films
- Robin at SLOtography Queer-affirming · James recommends
My first recommendation for a full cinematic wedding film. Meet Robin and Blake in the introduction above.
- Roman Howell Films
Artful wedding films and a warm, collaborative presence. I’m always happy when we get to work together.
- Fox Jump Cinematics Worth exploring
Jessa and Colton create cinematic wedding films from their San Luis Obispo base.
Bars + cocktails
- Cart-Side Cocktails
Custom cocktails and mobile bar service. Part of the team at Justin & Paul’s CaliPaso wedding.
- Bottles & Ice
Cocktail service and bar rentals from the team connected with Simply Treasured Events.
- Tap Truck SLO
Vintage trucks pouring beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. A recent collaborator at Harmony.
Rentals + decor
- Avenue Twelve
Lounge furniture, specialty rentals, and custom design for a celebration with its own personality.
- All About Events
Tables, chairs, tabletop pieces, and larger event rentals. A frequent part of my couples’ vendor teams.
- Embellish Vintage Rentals
Vintage china, chandeliers, displays, and character-filled details for a more collected look.
- SLO Party Rentals
Event rentals for celebrations around the county, including Olivia & Felicity’s Almond Springs wedding.
Cake + dessert
- Madonna Inn Bakery Queer-affirming · James recommends
A local classic for a playful celebration cake. Ask the bakery about wedding orders and pickup.
- SeaBreeze Cupcakes
Wedding cakes, cupcakes, and smaller treats for a dessert table.
- Cider Creek Bakery & Deli
Paso Robles bakery treats and custom catering orders; featured at Justin & Paul’s wedding.
Photo booths + party extras
- SLOCal Photo Booth
A clean, modern booth with custom screens and black-and-white glam options.
- Picture This SLO
Photo-booth fun from the team at Olivia & Felicity’s wedding. Browse their latest setups on Instagram.
- Kramer Events
Useful if you’d like to coordinate a booth, lighting, and music through one team.
- Epic Entertainment
Booths and reception extras; confirm your venue’s rules before adding effects.
Ceremonies + officiants
- Olive Tree Officiating Worth exploring
Ric creates personal ceremonies, including religious, nonreligious, and intimate elopement options.
- Marriage With Meaning Worth exploring
Paul Howell offers personalized ceremonies and guidance with vows on the Central Coast.
- One Spirit Beach Weddings Worth exploring
Wayne’s Central Coast ceremony services, with beach weddings and other local settings to explore.
Guest transportation
- SLO Safe Ride
Wedding shuttles and group transportation. A familiar provider at larger weddings I’ve photographed.
- Ride-On Transportation Worth exploring
Local wedding transportation; ask about routes, passenger needs, and the right vehicle for your group.
- Elegant Image Limousine Worth exploring
Limousines, party buses, and wedding transportation around SLO County and Paso Robles.
Live painting + handmade details
- Heather Millenaar
A local live wedding painter I’ve recommended before, creating an original artwork during the celebration.
- Follow the Sun Art Worth exploring
Anastasiya’s colorful coastal art and live event painting. Based in Santa Cruz; ask about travel.
- Rose & Wrench
Custom signage, hand-painted backdrops, and artful installations. Their work has appeared at weddings I’ve photographed.
Drag, magic + unexpected fun
- Hera Wynn
Bay Area drag performer and host with SLO County roots. Ask about a performance for your celebration and travel.
- Sister Roma
San Francisco performer, activist, and host. Reach out about event hosting and travel; confirm any ceremony role directly.
- Andy Morris Entertainment Worth exploring
Central Coast magic, hosting, and DJ services for a reception that takes a playful turn.
- Alex Kazam Worth exploring
Close-up wedding magic for cocktail hour and guest mingling, with SLO bookings available to inquire about.
Availability, services, and teams can change. Confirm the details directly before booking. If you’d like a more personal introduction, just ask.
Keep planning connected
How to choose your wedding vendors
Choose your venue and the people you most want with you first. A planner can help with the logistics; these guides can help you think through the photography.
Compare our wedding offerings
See James’s lead photography, Makayla’s associate coverage, and Faith’s affordable iPhone wedding video in one clear place.
Explore the team →
Read the local guides
Use practical venue and planning posts to understand light, timing, access, fees, and photo opportunities.
Browse the blog →
Ask James
If a category feels overwhelming, mention it in your inquiry. I’m happy to narrow things down based on what you value.
Start an inquiry →Planning your SLO County celebration?
Let’s find your people.
Tell me where you’re at and what you want the day to feel like. I’ll reply with availability, photography options, and a clear place to begin.
Contact James
