The Penny wedding venue in San Luis Obispo

The Penny is at 664 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, in downtown SLO, within walking distance of four downtown hotels and Higuera Street's bars and restaurants.

The Penny has more than 3,700 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. As a rough guide, it seats up to 125 for an indoor dinner, 75 for an outdoor luncheon, and up to 300 for a cocktail-style event using both indoor and outdoor space.

The Penny says most couples invest between $20,000 and $30,000 for its all-inclusive wedding, depending on guest count and selections. A 50% retainer books the date and the final payment is due three weeks before the event.

Coordination from booking through the day, full-service catering, bar service with BYOB options, a dessert or donut bar, an extensive decor package, a DJ with sound equipment, all furniture and modern tableware, set-up and breakdown, a wedding rehearsal, the bridal lounge, ADA-accessible space and on-site security. Florals, draping, a photo booth and specialty rentals are add-ons.

Yes. The Penny also offers a venue-only package. Outside caterers need to meet The Penny's catering requirements and be approved by the venue manager, and all vendors must be approved at least 90 days before the event.

Couples can marry in the Outdoor Courtyard, with greenery walls, bistro lights and the old wooden barn as a backdrop, or inside the brick-walled 1930s hall. Ceremony, cocktail hour and reception can each be indoors or outdoors.

Under city ordinance all events must end by 10 pm and be fully broken down by 11 pm. Wedding packages typically include 12 to 14 hours of venue access, usually starting between 9 and 11 am.

The Penny has an indoor hall seating 125, plus tenting options and weather plans for the courtyard.

Yes. The venue is permitted for all alcohol types and couples can bring their own beer, wine and spirits, but a licensed and insured bartender must serve, at a minimum of one bartender per 50 guests. The Penny's sister company runs its bar service.

There is no on-site parking. There is street parking in front of the venue and a three-story parking structure two and a half blocks away, and most hotels are a five-minute rideshare.

There are no overnight rooms or a dedicated getting-ready suite, but the bridal lounge is available throughout the rental, and four downtown hotels are within walking distance.

Nothing can be nailed, taped or glued to surfaces, confetti, rice, glitter and birdseed are not allowed, and sparklers are prohibited. The whole downtown core is smoke- and vape-free.

Yes. Couples need host liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, and a professional coordinator or planner is required for all weddings, either The Penny's in-house coordination or an approved outside planner.

The Penny says most couples take about 9 to 15 months to plan a wedding there and hosts a limited number of weddings each season.

Yes. Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the package you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to The Penny's events team within one business day.

Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the package you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to The Penny's events team within one business day.