VENUE SPOTLIGHT: Villa del sol D'Oro

Villa del sol D'Oro, or the house of the golden sun offers a unique setting for couples looking for old world charm and historic architecture.

The Villa, as it's commonly referred to in the wedding industry, is a duplicate of the Villa Collazzi located on the outskirts of Florence, Italy. Villa Collazzi has been occupied for several centuries by the Bombicci-Fomi family, and legend has it that the Villa is the only one ever designed by the immortal Michaelangelo. In 1924, prominent Los Angeles physician Walter Barlow began building his dream house in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. The Tuscan-style villa reflected the Barlows' love of Italy - The facade a one-quarter scale replica of the Villa Collazzi near Florence. Pasadena architect Wallace Neff was commissioned to create the house that would be called the Villa del Sol d'Oro. The Villa has the elegant black and white tiled foyer with a curving stairway and wrought iron banister that became classic Wallace Neff touches.

Marion Patterson Barlow sold the Villa del Sol d'Oro, after her husband died, to the Sisters of St. Francis in 1942. The Sisters used the house as a novitiate before building the existing school in 1960. Alverno Heights Academy graduated its first class on the Terrace in 1964. The name was changed to Alverno High School in the early 1970's.

Film and television companies frequently use the Villa as a shooting location. Princess Diaries, Legally Blonde, Unstrung Heroes, A Walk in the Clouds, True Lies, and Molly are some of the feature films made at Alverno. The Villa is currently featured in the CBS television show, Cane, and it was the setting for an episode of Sexy, Dirty Money.

Couples chosing the Villa will contract with Santa Anita Gardens, a female owned and operated catering company that also services performers at the Greek Theater and the Pantages.

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  A few fanastic facts about the Villa:


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  It's one of the few BYO alcohol venues in Los Angeles which could lessen your overall costs.


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  Santa Anita Catering staff offer first class service on your wedding day.


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  The Villa offers a blank canvas which allows brides to create personalized space with lounge sets and special decor.


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  Santa Anita Catering staff is small enough to allow customization but they have 25 years of experience to ensure a seamless day.

The picture above and to the left is the "cake room". The cake is generally set up in front of the window and makes for dramatic pictures. To the right, is the library. The picture does not do this room justice. It's filled with dark wood and a warm bar area. We encourage brides to fill the shelves with candles and pictures. This is also a logical place for a lounge area.

Style & Grace has coordinated several weddings at the Villa. With each wedding, we hear guests echo the same sentiments, "this is an incredible site. How did the bride and groom find it?".

It definitely transports guests to another time and place. Just like Sam and Grace, featured above, we smile every time we think of the Villa!

NOTE: Photos courtesy of Cameron Ingalls, Heather Cantwell, and Becker Photography