Erin and Trey are old world meeting the modern day. Refined, grounded, and they know when it’s time to break the mold and celebrate. We happily flew in from Kansas City for this one.
The welcome reception the night before was at a private jet hangar outside SLO. If that sounds like the beginning of a great weekend, it was. Full gallery from that night: Hangar Lights and California Nights.
Two nights before the wedding, Trey went out late to get pizza for him and Erin. Stepped wrong. Broken foot. Yep.
Getting Ready at Hotel Cerro
Erin had the Penthouse Suite at Hotel Cerro, a boutique Marriott Autograph Collection property right in the middle of downtown SLO. The light in that room was “chef’s kiss.” Her team moved through the space with the kind of quiet efficiency that comes from actually knowing what you’re doing. Hair, makeup, everyone working to bring together this moment in time.
Erin was in the middle of all of it, mimosa in hand, letting the professional she brought on provide her the wedding day experience she deserved. She was calm in a way that read clearly through the lens. (That kind of composure on a wedding morning is rarer than people think.)
The first look was at the hotel on one of their many balconies. Then we headed out into downtown SLO.
Downtown SLO in the Rain
While Erin did not plan for rain on her wedding day, she embraced it. Umbrellas in hand, we stopped traffic and took over the downtown strip. Even though it was just a few moments of the day, the energy was high, the adrenaline going, and everyone was so excited to be at the center of everyone’s attention. I was shouting over the bustle and the rain, “Ok, let’s go! No one standing behind the bride and groom! Stagger! Keep the pace, fan out! Make a V shape with Trey and Erin at the point!”
At some point I nearly bumped into a stopped car while the entire wedding party walked down the middle of the street in downtown SLO. Trey was right next to Erin, hobbling along on a broken foot in a walking boot. Nobody slowed down. Her party executed flawlessly. (The images from that stretch are some of my favorites from the year so far.)
For the record: editing out a walking boot from a full wedding gallery is exactly as much work as it sounds like. (Worth it!)
The Ceremony and Reception at The Penny
Both the ceremony and reception were at The Penny, a 1930s former blacksmith shop a short walk from Hotel Cerro. Exposed brick, industrial bones, and windows that earn their reputation when the light comes through.
While the original plan (and the rehearsal the day before) had us outside, the ceremony was quickly moved indoors with the rain still coming down. I set up a single flash to offset the darker envionment, mimicking the window light as it did the rest.
When cocktail hour moved outside, The Penny’s team flipped the room. By the time guests came back in, the ceremony space had become a plated four-course dining room. Real candlelight. Real china. After their grand entrance I have to believe that Trey sat comfortably for the first time all day.
What an experience! I can’t wait to return to California for our next wedding.
Check their full gallery here:
Hangar Lights and California Nights
A Few Notes for Couples Planning at Hotel Cerro and The Penny
Hotel Cerro’s getting ready suites photograph well. The Penthouse suite has the best light and enough room for the whole team to work without stepping on each other. Being in the middle of downtown SLO means your portrait locations are walkable, and the streets between Hotel Cerro and The Penny are worth using regardless of weather.
For The Penny, trust their team on logistics. The room flip on Erin and Trey’s day is a good example of what they’re capable of. But they sourced the catering, and the DJ, two of the best I have had in a while. If your timeline has flexibility, build something around the late afternoon light through those industrial windows and take a breather to walk around downtown. There are a lot of fantastic spots for portraits.
If it rains, go outside anyway. Take an umbrella, and then at the end of the night go out and play. Wet pavement and overcast light photograph well, and those tend to be the frames people hold onto.
Your Photographer,
Matt
On Destination Weddings
Cinder & Ivory is based in Kansas City. We travel for destination weddings across the U.S. and internationally. If you’re planning a wedding somewhere specific and you want a team that shows up prepared, reach out.
Vendor Credits
- Venue & Coordination: The Penny, San Luis Obispo | @thepennyslo
- Photography & Videography: Cinder & Ivory | @cinderandivory | @cinderandivoryweddings
- Florals: Eden Florals SLO | @edenfloralslo
- Dress: J.Lynn Bridal | @jlynnbridal
- Groom Attire: Dan Dan the Tailor Man | @dandanthetailorman
- Hair & Makeup: @locksbyemilyo + @blondiesouza
- DJ: SK with Kramer Events | @kramerevents
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