Highgrove February Wedding

Our first wedding of 2012 and what a beautiful event to kick off a year of fabulous weddings! Michelle and Joe hosted a wonderful party on a chilly Saturday in February with family and friends from NC and NY. The ceremony was held outside under our pergola, where guests were gifted with fleece blankets on their seats to help keep warm -- it was a special touch that was much appreciated. The groom's father performed the marriage ceremony and then invited everyone in the warm ballroom for cocktail hour. While the bridal party took pictures, guests enjoyed Crab Cakes, Bruschetta, Beef Tenderloin Crostini, Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms, and Fresh Fruit Cosmos. Dinner was served Family Style and featured Mediterranean Salad, Roasted Pork Tenderloin over Rice Pilaf, Seasonal Vegetables, and Chicken Frances with Light Lemon Cream Sauce. Wine service during dinner allowed guests to enjoy their meals and following dinner wedding cake and coffee were served. Guests enjoyed dancing the rest of the evening, ending it all with a sparkler departure on the front porch. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, DJ: Island Sound, Cake: Sweet Memories Bakery

The comments below were written by the mother of the bride. It was our pleasure to be a part of this couple's special day and we were thrilled that the family and guests felt the same way!


"I do not know where to start! Michelle and Joe’s wedding was like a fairy tale in your own back yard. It was the most amazing time of our lives. Susan, from the beginning you were an absolute amazement! Angela, I don’t know how you kept your cool with all our crazy family and friends. Ann, your support and always smiling face could not have been any better…..and to Vicky, all I can say is she is one tremendous chef. Not one person complained, all we heard all night and after the wedding was it was the most amazing wedding with the best food and entertainment they had ever been to.

Thank y’all so much for all the time, attention and help you gave our daughter; and for making it truly a dream come true for her. Much love, and huge hugs, and many blessings to all the staff at Highgrove on Laurel Lake, we will never forget you!"

Peg Meredith (Mother of the Bride)

Highgrove's Award Winning Booth

Here are some photos of our award-winning booth from the Forever Bridal Show last month in Raleigh. We were so excited to show off our new display, where couples were able to envision their wedding day at Highgrove. We were also thrilled to find out that our booth was voted Best in Show!
We are looking forward to starting off the 2012 wedding season in just a few weeks-- it's going to be Highgrove's best year yet!

Booth designed by: Creative Design Builders
Photos by: The Image Mill
TV provided by: Island Sound
Flowers: Flowers on Broad Street

Highgrove October Wedding

This was our last event for the month-- and what a chilly fall day it was! It started off cloudy and rainy, but by the afternoon the blue sky was clear and a crisp breeze greeted guests for the outdoor ceremony of Laura and Seth. The ceremony music was provided by a string quartet which made for a special entrance for the guests, bridal party, and bride. The couple were joined by 160 friends and family for the exchanging of their vows overlooking the lake with the beautiful, colorful fall trees in the background. Guests then enjoyed cocktail hour in the house, on the patio, and in the ballroom where the fireplace kept everyone toasty. Hors d' oeuvres included Bruschetta, Coconut Shrimp, Mini Barbecue Sliders, and Brie and Apricot Phyllo Purses. The newlyweds then made their way into the ballroom for the start of the reception and a Family Style dinner. The menu included Spinach Salad with Poached Pears and Walnuts, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Beef Tenderloin, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Rosemary Bread. Sweets were also served, as guests enjoyed the delicious wedding cake and Heath bars (a favorite of the bride and groom) at their seats. This was a dancing crowd and they spent the remainder of the reception having fun on the dance floor before sending the couple off to their antique get-a-way car with sparklers on the front porch. It was the perfect end for a fabulous month of weddings at Highgrove. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: The Flower Cupboard, Cake: Susan Ellis, String Quartet: Ted Wagner, DJ: Garrett Brooks

October Wedding at Highgrove

Anna and Josh celebrated their wedding along with 130 of their closest friends and family this past weekend on a beautiful Saturday at Highgrove. The ceremony was held outside under our pergola in our garden area. Guests then enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio where homemade Spanikopeta and Cheddar Cheese Biscuits with Smoked Ham were passed. Dinner was held in our Garden Ballroom, where guests sat at tables adorned with Butter colored linens and decorated with lanterns hand painted by the bride and groom, along with hand embossed fall leaves. The buffet featured our Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken (such a popular choice!), Salmon with Tropical Salsa, Risotto with Parmesan, and Seasonal Vegetables. The cake table featured a beautiful and festive sequined linen and was topped not only with a Fall themed wedding cake, but handmade sugar cookies too. The fire place was lit and guests danced the evening away under our twinkle lights in the ballroom. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake and Cookies: Blue Moon Bakery, Flowers: The Flower Cupboard, DJ: Part Time Entertainment

Fall Weddings at Highgrove

This fall wedding was a special day for a sweet couple! Laura and Alex exchanged their vows overlooking our lake in front of 100 of their closest friends and family. Guests then made their way up to the brick patio where they enjoyed Pork Tenderloin Bruschetta with Mango Chutney, our Homemade Crab Cakes, and Fresh Fruit Cosmos. The doors to the Garden Ballroom were then opened as guests were invited in to find their seats for a Family Style dinner. Guests always have fun with this dinner concept as they enjoy sharing food around the table. The menu tonight featured: Field Greens with Grapes and Walnuts and Garden Salad for the first course and then Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, White Wine Poached Salmon, Risotto with Leeks and Parmesan, and Seasonal Vegetables. After dinner everyone took their spots on the dance floor as they boogied the night away! One of the pictures you'll see is one that every couple loves taking on our new hanging swing on the oak tree in the front of the house-- it is a great photo opp! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., Cake: Friend, DJ: Jeff Leonard

October Wedding at Highgrove

This past weekend we were blessed with another gorgeous day for a wonderful couple! Erin and Tim were married under the pergola with 130 of their closest friends and family looking on as they exchanged vows. Cocktail hour featured 3 hors d' ourves including our Homemade Coconut Shrimp with Spicy/Sweet Red Pepper Sauce, Sesame Chicken Skewers, and a Cheese and Cracker Display-- all on the outside patio. After the bridal pictures were complete, guests were invited into the Garden Ballroom where a beautiful display of romantic flowers adorned the room. Dinner was buffet style where guests enjoyed Caesar Salads, Chicken Piccatta, Smoked Beef Brisket, Creamy Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. After dinner everyone made their way to the amazing cookie table-- featuring over 20 different types of sweets all made by the family! It was quite an assortment that kept guests happy throughout the night-- along with cupcakes instead of the traditional wedding cake. It was a great night with wonderful food from start to finish! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cupcakes: Ashley Cakes, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., DJ: Jim from Joe Bunn, Photographer: Tara Parker

More October Weddings at Highgrove

Ashley and Keith celebrated their wedding this past weekend at Highgrove with a festive Fall theme, complete with Apple Cider favors for their guests. The ceremony was held in our garden pergola area before guests moved to the open patio for cocktail hour. Hors' d ourves included Crab Cakes and Fried Green Tomato Crostini with Pimento Cheese and Salsa. The reception was held in our Garden Ballroom where guests first dined on Garden Salads before the dj released tables to the buffet-- only after trivia questions were answered correctly by the guests! The buffet featured Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Smoked Beef Brisket, Risotto with Leeks, and Seasonal Vegetables. As always, we took care of all the kids with special kid friendly salads and dinners. The rest of the evening was spent mingling, dancing, and enjoying champagne and cake before a sparkler departure on the front porch. A great wedding for a great couple! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Watkins Flowers of Distinction, DJ: Anything Music, Cake: Ambrosia Creative Cakes.