Monday, September 24, 2012

9.22 Highgrove Wedding

Our Saturday wedding was simply beautiful and for the most sweet and in-love couple. Megan and Julian exchanged their vows in a very thoughtful and beautiful ceremony, with heartfelt words from the officiant and readings and songs from special friends. 110 of the close friends and family then moved up to the patio for cocktail hour where they absolutely loved the Coconut Shrimp with Sweet/Spicy Pepper Sauce and Beef Tenderloin on Crostini with Horseradish. The ballroom was breathtaking with Cognac colored linens and purple, green, and white flowers all around the room. Guests enjoyed Family Style dinner with our Caesar and also Spring Mix Salads and then Pecan Crusted Bourbon  Chicken, White Wine Poached Salmon, Seasonal Vegetables, and Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. Following the toasts and cake, the dance floor opened up and everyone headed out to have some fun-- parents included! The bride and groom enjoyed the evening with everyone their to celebrate and then ended the night with a sparkler send-off on the front porch. It was a great weekend of weddings! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Brides and Bouquets, Cake: Cakes by Chloe, DJ: Complete Music 

Gorgeous ballroom with purple flowers



Megan and her dad
The ceremony overlooking the lake



The menu cards on each table

The pretty cake!

Coconut Shrimp

9.21 Highgrove Wedding

What a gorgeous weekend for weddings at Highgrove-- this early fall weather is just perfect for celebrating!

Our Friday wedding was a very fun affair, as the bride and groom shared their special day with Jewish and Puerto Rican friends and family. Guests first stopped to sign this culinary couple's creative "guest book", where guests could sign their names on a large wood cutting board. The ceremony was beautiful, under the pergola overlooking the lake, where Andrea and Robert exchanged their vows under the hand made chuppah. Following the service, the guests headed to our upper brick patio where they enjoyed cocktail hour which featured Signature drinks of Amaretto Sours and Mojitos along with Crab Cakes, Beef Tenderloin on Crostini with Horseradish, and Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella on Crostini. After cocktail hour, the guests made their way into the garden ballroom where they dined on our Spring Mix Salad before dinner and then our buffet with Pork Tenderloin, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken. Dancing began even before dinner with this crowd, but continued on as the cake was cut and champagne was served and a great time was had by all (especially the conga line which made its way outside and the salsa music which was such fun!). It was a beautiful and fantastic event for this food and family loving couple. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Sweet Memories, DJ: Island Sound, Photographer: Tara Parker, Florist: Flowers on Broad St.

The ceremony under the chuppah.

Beautiful ballroom


The cake was beautiful as well!

A close up on the gorgeous cake!

Hors  d' ourves

The wooden cutting board "guest book"

Sunday, September 16, 2012

9.15 Highgrove Wedding

Our Saturday wedding was for such a sweet couple and we were so thankful for another day of fabulous weather and delicious food.

Morgan and Tim's ceremony was held underneath our garden pergola that was decorated with beautiful flower topiaries and hanging paper lanterns. The service was especially special as the bride's grandfather performed the ceremony-- with personal stories throughout. The bridal party headed to the front of the house for pictures as their guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the upper patio. Appetizers included Carolina Pork Sliders with Slaw and Pita Points with Hummus and Roasted Red Pepper and Olives. The ballroom was decorated in silver and purple, with a magnificent display on the mantle and fresh flowers throughout. Dinner was buffet style and on the menu was our Garden Salads, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Poached Salmon with Tropical Salsa, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Summer Roasted Vegetables. After dinner was the champagne toasts and also a special sorority song by the bride's friends was shared. Dessert was a delicious spread of wedding cakes, cheesecakes, and pies-- a sweet and perfect ending to a wonderful wedding! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Blossom Florist, Desserts: Sweet Memories, Photography: Tara Parker, DJ: Perfect Mix Productions
The beautiful ballroom


The dessert table

Gorgeous mantle display

The ceremony

Pita Points

Carolina Pork Sliders with Slaw

The "guest book" table-- well wish cards

9.14 Highgrove Wedding

What amazing weather we had this weekend for our three beautiful weddings out at Highgrove! Our Friday night event was such fun as we introduced our Flambé Krispy Kreme Donut Station with Homemade Ice Cream for the first time-- a huge hit with the guests.

The day started off with a beautiful ceremony held under our garden pergola overlooking the lake-- the skies were bright blue and a gentle breeze was enjoyed by all the guests. The couple exchanged their vows in a brief ceremony before heading around the property to take pictures. Cocktail hour was held on the upper patio where we featured our Crab Cakes with Aioli, Tomato Bruschetta on Crostini with Balsamic Glaze, and a Domestic and Imported Cheese Display. After everyone moved into the ballroom, dinner was served Family Style and included Autumn Salads with Berries, Poached Salmon in White Wine, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, and Roasted New Potatoes and Summer Vegetables. Following the Champagne Toasts, cake was served and then the party began on the dance floor. About an hour into the dancing, guests were wowed as the chef attended Krispy Kreme Flambé Station opened up. Served alongside the warm donuts were choices of Homemade Maple Ice Cream with Toasted Pecans or Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with Pink Sea Salt. It was an incredible event that left everyone celebrating! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad, Cake: Sweet Memories, DJ and Uplighting: Spin
The bride and her dad-- she was gorgeous!

Centerpieces in the ballroom on our lazy susans.


The mantle and delicious cake.


The ceremony on the lawn.

Hors d' ourves for cocktail hour.

The cheese display.

The homemade crab cakes!

Monday, September 10, 2012

9.8 Highgrove Wedding

The forecast was for rain... but the skies held out and the party went on as perfectly planned for our couple this past weekend. Rachel and Matt had a beautiful wedding last Saturday beginning with their outdoor ceremony under our garden pergola. The music was provided by a flutist which was the perfect background sound for the personalized exchanging of vows. Cocktail hour was held on our outdoor patio and also in the ballroom, where guests dined on our Endive with Walnut Parmesan, Fried Green Tomato on Crostini, Cheddar Biscuits with Smoked Ham and Honey Mustard, and our Fresh Fruit Cosmos with Key Lime Sauce. Dinner was served Buffet style and featured our Greens with Candied Walnuts and Berries for salad, and then our Braised Short Ribs, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Seasonal Vegetables, and Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. The couple also treated their guests to our Pasta Station with Homemade Pesto, Alfredo, or Marinara Sauces. As the last guests made their way into the ballroom from the buffet the rain began... so it was perfect timing! One special treat was the fabulous cookie table, where the bride's family lovingly made hundreds of delicious cookies for everyone to enjoy throughout the night. Cake was also served along with coffee, and guests enjoyed mingling and dancing before sending the bride and groom off with sparklers at the end.

Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Sweet Memories, Flowers: Mews Florist, Photography: Brian Mullins
Sweet and simple floral centerpieces

The delicious cake

The Garden Ballroom

The guest seating assignments

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

9.1.12 Highgrove Wedding

It was a busy weekend for us, with two weddings for the first dates in September. The weather was warm, but it was dry for both events and beautiful days for both couples.

The bride in her traditional Chinese outfit.
Nguyet and Allen's wedding was a special family affair that began early in the morning with a traditional tea ceremony held at their parents' houses. The festivities at Highgrove began in the afternoon, where the couple exchanged traditional American vows in front of their close friends and family. Cocktail hour featured our Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken Skewers, Coconut Shrimp, and Fried Green Tomato Crostini along with our Pink Lemonade and Sweet Tea. The reception was held in our Garden Ballroom, where our Strolling Stations were the hit of the night! Our Crepe Station featured our Savory Chicken A-la-King and Seafood Bisque Crepes before switching over to our heavenly dessert Crepes after dinner with Almond Cream Filling and Fresh Berries. The Pasta table showcased our homemade Alfredo, Pesto, and Marinara Sauces over cheese tortellini or penne pasta-- all cooked to order by our chef Troy! Our carving table (always a popular spot with the men!) featured our Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce alongside of our Roasted New Potatoes and rolls. After dinner, cake was served along with Hot Tea and Coffee as the guests enjoyed dancing. The sendoff was a sweet goodbye as guests waved off the newlyweds. A fabulous way to start off a month of weddings! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Centerpieces: Table of Contents, Flowers:  Flowers on Broad, Cake: Sweet Memories, DJ: A Touch of Class
The bride and groom's candy table for their guests.

The ceremony at the pergola.

The beautiful ballroom.


The yummy wedding cake!

Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken Skewers.

Fried Green Tomato with Homemade Pimento Cheese Crostini.