February 25, 2025
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When Julia and Rob booked their wedding at Filoli in Northern California, they envisioned more than just a single day of celebration. Working closely with Ana Luiza Weddings, they transformed the venue into two entirely distinct experiences—an elegant garden welcome party followed by a stunning, design-forward wedding day. The result was a weekend brimming with style, color, and intention. I’m so glad I could capture both days and provide Julia and Rob with images that will preserve their stylish celebrations for years to come.
Fioli Welcome Party
What better way to welcome your guests to your wedding weekend than to invite them into your venue? Julia and Rob hosted an intimate garden party with an al fresco dinner to set the tone for the weekend ahead. The table was surrounded by towering hedges, casting the table in dappled sunlight.
The design for the welcome dinner was strongly influenced by the crisp, straight lines of the surrounding boxwoods—a motif subtly mirrored in the carefully curated décor. Overstuffed, striped chairs and a single long table mirrored the structured aesthetic, fitting seamlessly into the space. The blue and yellow motif infused the party with a European-inspired feel, creating a striking contrast against the lush greenery.
Wedding Day Design
Ana Luiza’s incredible eye for transforming spaces with intention didn’t stop at the welcome party. When Julia and Rob chose intricately designed plates for their tablescape, she knew immediately that they could influence the overall design. She and her team expertly translated the plate design into a table arrangement unlike anything I’d ever seen. The curved tables were arranged into an open quatrefoil, creating a bold visual statement that also allowed guests to converse comfortably in the intimate setting.
This meticulous attention to detail extended beyond the tablescape. Julia’s fashion statements throughout the weekend continued to wow. She set the tone at the welcome party in a sleek YSL dress paired with Bottega Veneta shoes, embodying modern elegance. On the wedding day, she stunned in a Danielle Frankel gown, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and contemporary romance. When she changed into a tea-length dress during the wedding reception, she even donned a second bouquet–truly, no detail was overlooked!
California Wedding Photography
This incredible wedding weekend at Filoli was a great reminder to think outside the box when it comes to wedding design. I love that Ana Luiza used the spaces at Filoli in such unique ways and contrasted the classic architecture with modern decor.
As a wedding photographer, I don’t just document a wedding day—I capture the artistry, emotion, and movement that make it an experience. As a wedding photographer, I capture more than moments—I preserve artistry, emotion, and movement. If you’re planning a timeless, editorial wedding, I’d love to hear more about your plans.
Vendors:
Venue: Filoli
Photography: Liz Andolina Photography
Videography: Anna Lord Studio
Planner & Stylist: Ana Luiza Weddings
Florals: Found Floral
HMU: Raven Reed Makeup
Rentals: Folklore, Found Rental Co., Theoni Collection, AM Party Rentals Inc., Catalog Atelier
Linens: Lola Valentina Designs
Stationery: Samantha Meyer Studio
Wedding Gown: Danielle Frankel
Veil: Jane Rhyan
Welcome Dress: YSL
Welcome Shoes: Bottega Veneta
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"You are in the best hands with Liz and her team."
Liz is an incredibly talented photographer. We loved being around her and felt so at ease. We were confident she would capture everything perfectly as we just got to enjoy our magical wedding weekend. Liz captures the emotion, details, and special moments in the most talented and beautiful way. She is a fantastic planner, has a creative eye, and gets every single detail. From the amazing candids to the heartfelt portraits, her photos are truly stunning.
- Monika and Calum
"We could write a whole novel about how much we love Liz."
"Truly unparalleled artistic talent. Liz truly got to understand my husband and I as individuals and as a couple, and she used this knowledge throughout her work to capture beautiful, meaningful moments. We had Liz photograph every part of our wedding process - from the engagement shoot, to the bridal shower, the rehearsal dinner, and finally of course the wedding day. She is kind, enthusiastic, responsive, and an all around fantastic person. We cannot recommend her enough!”
- Amanda and tom
"Working with Liz Andolina was an absolute dream."
Not only is Liz extremely talented, she is kind, encouraging, perceptive, detail-oriented, organized and insightful. Her professionalism was unmatched and the care she put into our day meant so much to us. The photographs that she took, and the moments she captured, show how much of an artist she is, her keen eye and her innate talent. We will cherish these images for years to come. I cannot recommend her enough. We are forever grateful to her.
- emily and john
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