Highgrove

Highgrove October Wedding

2011-10-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

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.

October Wedding at Highgrove

2011-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had two beautiful weddings-- both with great weather and fabulous food. Haley and Craig exchanged their vows before 155 of their closest friends and family overlooking our lake. Cocktail hour on the patio featured Goat Cheese and Red Pepper Stuffed Mushrooms, Cheddar Cheese Biscuits with Ham, and Homemade Crab Cakes. The bar also served up two signature drinks (favorites of the couple)-- a Rum and Coke and a "Southern" Iced Tea. Guests then moved into the Garden Ballroom for a Family Style dinner featuring Caesar Salad with our Homemade Dressing and Croutons, and then Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Three Mustard Sauce, Creamy Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. Following dinner, the cake was served, toasts were held, and guests danced the night away. It was a wonderful evening for all! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Ambrosia Creative Cakes, DJ: PC Productions

October Wedding at Highgrove

2011-10-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

Our first wedding of October was an elegant and beautiful evening! Jenna and Sean exchanged their vows in our garden pergola area overlooking the lake on a gorgeous fall afternoon. Guests were then invited to the patio to enjoy our Homemade Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham and Fried Green Tomato Crostinis with Homemade Pimento Cheese. The party then moved into the lavishly decorated ballroom where amazing vintage table centerpieces adorned each table. Guests were treated to a plated dinner featuring our Mediterranean Salad with Savory Pastry Triangle and then either a Beef Tenderloin over Shitake and Leek Risotto with White Truffle Oil, or a Chicken Cordon Bleu with Lemon Jasmine Rice. Guests then danced the night away in our fabric draped ballroom with twinkle lights before sending the bride and groom off with a sparkler departure. A fabulous start to a fabulous month of weddings at Highgrove! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: English Garden

Fall Weddings at Highgrove

2011-10-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy past few weeks for us at Highgrove-- but what a beautiful time of year to get married! This wedding featured something unusually fun-- an entire dessert reception! Sweets were the main attraction at this festive wedding, as Ashley and Michael celebrated with over 150 guests. The ceremony was delayed a few minutes as we waited for the storms to pass over, but the rest of the night was clear. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio before making their way into the ballroom. After the first dance, guests were welcomed to visit all of the specialty dessert stations including: Ice Cream Bar with homemade pound cake, Fresh Fruit Display with White and Dark Chocolate Fountains, a Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie display with individual shooters of Cold Milk, a station with Tartlets and Mini Desserts, and a Dessert Crepe Station. To top it all off, the bride's grandmother made the wedding cake and guests enjoyed a coffee bar with the all fixings. It was a sweet night for a sweet couple! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Garner Florist

September Wedding at Highgrove

2011-09-14T13:45:00.001-07:00

It has been a busy past few weeks for us at Highgrove and we are so excited to be getting into the Fall Season of weddings with cooler weather and autumn themes! The wedding this weekend was an intimate affair but full of great food and fun. Shelly and Chad exchanged vows in our garden pergola area with a special "love letter" exchange instead of the usual unity candle or sand ceremony. They each wrote a love letter to each other and placed it inside of a wooden box that they will open and read to each other on their one year anniversary. It was a beautiful element to their marriage vows. Guests then enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio and inside the ballroom where they were invited to eat Crab Cakes, Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Coconut Shrimp, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Displays. Dinner was Family Style and featured our Field Green Salad and Mediterranean Salads before dinner service including our signature Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Pork Tenderloin with Mango Chutney, Creamy Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. The groom surprised the bride with a fun photo booth and to top the night off, he escorted his new wife into a beautiful horse drawn carriage! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers Julie Liles Design, Officiate: Barbara Lodge, DJ: Touch of Class, Photographer: F8 Studios, Cake: Sweet Memories

Summer Wedding at Highgrove

2011-08-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

This wedding was all about fun and great food! Jillian and Russell exchanged vows on this beautiful August afternoon in our garden ceremony area as 100 guests looked on. Cocktail hour was held on the brick patio as guests enjoyed a huge variety of hors' d ourves and a special Peach Bellini signature drink (to match the colors of the wedding). Guests were treated to Fresh Fruit Cosmos, Fried Green Tomato Crostini, Crab Cakes, Fresh Mozzarella with Tomato and Basil Skewers, and Sesame Chicken Skewers. After pictures, everyone moved into the ballroom where a lavish plated meal was served featuring Spring Salad as the first course, an intermezzo of Lemon Sorbet for the second course, and then Salmon with Crab Stuffing and Rice Pilaf and Beef Fillet with Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto for the dinner entree. Guests then moved onto the dance floor (girls were invited to put on special flip-flops provided by the bride and groom). After the cake cutting, the bride and groom treated all of their guests to a delicious dessert spread featuring Lemon Bars, Rocky Road Brownies, and Shot Glasses of Milk with Fresh Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies-- yum! It was a wonderful evening to celebrate this couple where no one left hungry! All food and beverage: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rental, Cake: Ambrosia Cakes, DJ: Joe Bunn DJs

August Wedding at Highgrove

2011-08-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

It was a rainy morning, but the skies cleared just in time for Norah and Eric's wedding this past weekend! The bride and groom exchanged vows underneath our pergola ceremony area where a wind chime played tunes and guests used personalized fans to cool themselves off. The ceremony included a variety of special touches, including a reading from The Velvetine Rabbit, an Apache Blessing, a unity candle, and a breaking of a glass. Guests moved up to the patio for cocktails as live guitar music played in the background. Pita points with Hummus and Tapenade, Sesame Chicken Skewers and a Fruit display were served as the bridal party took pictures. The reception was held in our Garden Ballroom where a beautiful display of colorful linens and flowers greeted guests as they entered for dinner. The meal was served Family Style on our glass lazy susans and included Caesar and Garden Salads, Rolls, Chicken Frances, Smoked Beef Brisket, Seasonal Vegetables, and our Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. Guests love the lazy susans which allow them to share food at the table with just a spin of the glass. The cake was served after a little break for dancing and featured a handmade topper by the bride. It was a perfect summer wedding at Highgrove! Linens: CE Rental, Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes, Flowers: Expressions of Love

Grand Wedding at Highgrove!

2011-08-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

We were beyond excited this weekend for the reveal of the final finishing touch on the ballroom-- draping and twinkle lights covering the ceiling! The mother of the bride this Saturday even began crying when she walked into the room for the first time to see the transformation from elegant reception room to dreamy and magical ballroom. It was a fabulous wedding to go along with the new look of the room as well... featuring The Embers as the wedding band! Guests were first treated to valet parking and a beautiful fruit display as they were welcomed to Highgrove. Cocktail hour continued on the brick patio and also at additional seating tables underneath the pergola garden area (as the ceremony was held off-site). Homemade cheddar biscuits with honey mustard and ham were passed, along with Coconut Shrimp, and Fried Green Tomato Bruschetta. Guests made their way into the ballroom where The Embers treated them to live dinner music-- they were amazing! Dinner was family style, served on our glass lazy susans and featured Garden Salad, Chicken Frances (our own chicken with light lemon sauce), Smoked Beef Brisket with Holy Smokes Sauce, Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. The band then opened the dance floor as guests danced the night away. The bride and groom (Lindsey and Joey) also made sure there guests left on a sweet note, with a colorful candy table! It was a perfect day! Linens: CE Rentals, Music: The Embers, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., Cake: Cinda's Cake Creations, Photograpy: Michael's Memories

July Reviews for Highgrove

2011-08-01T12:17:00.001-07:00

Here are some more feedback comments from some of our brides this summer:

"Highgrove exceeded our expectations! Our experience was great! Our guests keep telling us they've never been to a more beautiful venue or had better food. Our Highgrove coordinator was amazing! She truly made my day perfect and was such a joy to work with. She had great ideas and advice and made the day stress free!"

Megan and Michael
June 25, 2011

"Highgrove's location, service, and staff exceeded our expectations. It was picture perfect and they were a dream to work with throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for making our wedding day so special!"

Elizabeth and Justin
July 2, 2011

July Weddings at Highgrove

2011-08-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a scorcher... but guests still had a fabulous time celebrating the marriage of Lauren and Dustin. The couple were married under our pergola, with over 200 guests looking on as they exchanged vows. Following the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the brick patio, in the air conditioned house and inside the ballroom. Lemon Shrimp stuffed Mushrooms and Bruschetta were passed by our servers while the bridal party took pictures. Guests were delighted to move into the ballroom (and the a/c) where gold tableclothes and purple accent flowers decorated the room. Dinner was buffet style, with plated Spinach Salads served first (topped with candied walnuts and champagne poached peaches) and then Salmon, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Seasonal Vegetables, and Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes served for dinner. Instead of traditional wedding cake, the couple had a fabulous display of individual homemade pies-- which were delicious! The guests danced the night away and then departed with a sparkler send off. The rains stayed away and it was a wonderful end to a great month of weddings at Highgrove. Linens: CE Rentals, Florist: English Garden, Baker: We Are Not Just Cakes

July Weddings at Highgrove

2011-07-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

This was a busy weekend at Highgrove, with two weddings-- but what a perfect few days of weather! Our couple on Friday, Julie and Ben, were married at St. Michael's, but enjoyed a fabulous reception at Highgrove. The grounds and ballroom were decorated with festive hot pink and black and white-- perfect complimentary colors to our blooming gardens! Guests dined on Fried Green Tomatoes and Bruschetta for cocktail hour before heading into the ballroom for the party. A buffet dinner was served, including Caesar salads, our famous Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Roasted Pork Loin, Risotto with Leeks, and Green Beans Almondine. The bride and groom sent all their guests off with individualized bottles of wine and pencils (the bride was a teacher!). Such a perfect day for such a sweet couple!

Saturday's couple, Jessica and Kevin, were married in our garden pergola area. Cocktails were served on the patio while guests dined on Pulled Pork Sliders and Fried Green Tomatoes (popular choice this weekend!). Dinner included our famous Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Smoked Beef Brisket with Texas Sauce, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. I was so busy working that I didn't get a chance to get any pictures-- except for the cake!

July 9 Wedding at Highgrove

2011-07-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Another hot, but dry day for a beautiful summer wedding! Carmen and Tim were married under the pergola in a sweet ceremony that honored those with them and loved ones who are now gone. The bridemaids and groomsmen looked snazzy in their purple and black polka-dotted attire which helped bring some fun color to the marriage ceremony. Guests enjoyed quite a selection of hors d' oureves on the patio that included Cheddar Biscuits with Ham, Crab Cakes, Sesame Chicken Skewers, and Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms. Another special treat for guests was the red wine and fruit Sangria. Along with the theme of a fun party-like atmosphere, the bride and groom chose a stations menu for dinner. Guests were invited to mingle and try the foods at three different stations in the ballroom and house. The Crepe station included savory Chicken Volute and Seafood Bisque filled crepes and then switched over to a delicious dessert crepe with Almond Cream and Raspberry and Blueberry fillings. The carving station included Beef Tenderloin carved to order along with Rosemary Potatoes. The salad station included a variety of salads like our Classic Caesar with homemade croutons, our Greek salad and our Spring Spinach salad-- all with our homemade dressings! Grilled marinated chicken and assorted rolls also complimented that station. It was a wonderful evening for a sweet couple! Linens: CE Rental, Flowers: Friend of the family, DJ: DJ Anything Music, Cake: Dancing Chocolatier, Officiant: Barbara Lodge.

July 2 Wedding at Highgrove

2011-07-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

The first wedding of July was a hot one... but it was a beautiful day with tons of special personalized touches! Elizabeth and Justin love to travel and they love Italy- and they wanted to make sure those two things were incorporated into their wedding day. Guests were first greeted with a picture perfect display on our wood farm table of antique globes, maps of Italy, luggage, and other decorations. They were then seated under the pergola for an outdoor ceremony, complete with lavish floral decorations. Cocktail hour on the outside patio featured Fresh Fruit cosmos, Prosciutto Bruschetta, and homemade Parmesan Cheese Straws served in vintage cigar boxes. Dinner was served in our ballroom where the tables were covered in Satin Lilac linens, amazing vintage inspired floral centerpieces, and antique Italian postcards (which served as table numbers). Family Style inspired dinner was complete with Caesar Salad, Field Greens with Walnuts and Grapes, Salmon with Tropical Salsa, Beef Tenderloin, Truffle Risotto, and Baby Carrots and Snow Peas-- it was a dinner to remember! Another special highlight was Leon the Artist, who drew caricatures for guests throughout the night-- a fun alternative to favors. Guests also enjoyed red velvet cake and were treated to cupcake favors as they left for the night. The bride and groom made their way off to Italy (of course) for their honeymoon! Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., DJ: Joe Bunn DJs, Cake and Cupcakes: Cupcake Shoppe, Artist: Leon the Artist, Photographer: Katie Cook.

June 25 Wedding at Highgrove

2011-06-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Our last wedding of the month was a sweet occasion for an even sweeter couple! Megan and Michael's ceremony was overlooking the lake, while paper lanterns hung from the pergola to add some color and fun. Guests then moved to the upper brick patio for cocktail hour where they dined on Homemade Pork Sliders and refreshing Fresh Fruit Cosmos. A signature drink of non-alcoholic mojitos with fresh mint leaves also added some fun! The ballroom had a Summer decor with Ocean colored linens, fresh lemons, lanterns, and hydrangeas on the tables. Once again, our popular "Family Style" menu was presented for dinner, including Caesar and Spring Salads, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Beef Tenderloin, New Potatoes with Rosemary, and our Green Beans Almondine. Couples have been loving the family style option and guests have been commenting on how they love it too! Guests danced the night away and then ended it all with a sparkler departure on the front porch. What a great way to end a fabulous month of weddings at Highgrove! Linens by CE Rental, Flowers by Dogwood Tree Florals, Cake by Cinda's Creative Cakes, DJ PC Productions.

Highgrove June Weddings

2011-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Mary Ellen and John's wedding this past weekend was a spectacular night filled with special touches throughout! Guests were treated to valet car service upon arrival, which was a nice touch for such a hot day. As always, Highgrove water bottles were offered to each guest to cool them off as they made their way outside for the ceremony overlooking the lake. Hot pink flowers lined the aisle as the bride walked down. Cocktail hour was on the brick garden patio where guests were treated to Fresh Fruit Cosmos, Homemade Crab Cakes, and Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bruschetta. Inside the ballroom, the tables were decorated beautifully with black floral linens and hot pink flowers.

We were so excited to feature our new "Family Style Dinner Lazy Susans" for this wedding. A new trend in weddings, family style meals are less formal than the traditional plated meals, and a lot more fun and interactive for your guests. Our custom lazy susans sit in the middle of each table, where guests are able to turn the glass in order to reach the food-- instead of passing the dishes throughout dinner service. The dinner on Saturday featured Field Green and Caesar salads, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Baby Carrots in Vanilla Sauce. After dinner, guests were treated to a sweet crepe station on the patio, where our chef served up Almond Cream Filled Crepes with Berries. It was a classy and elegant affair from start to finish for such an amazingly sweet couple! Linens by CE Rentals, Flowers by Flowers on Broad Street, DJ: Island Sound DJ, Cake by Creative Cakes by Renee.

June Weddings at Highgrove

2011-06-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

Katherine and Matthew's wedding was a special event of blending cultures and traditions-- all which turned out to be a beautiful and memorable affair! Guests enjoyed the ceremony in our garden pergola area, where as always, Highgrove water bottles were offered to all on this hot June day. Cocktail area was on the spacious brick patio where guests enjoyed jazz music along with their homemade hors d' ouerves (our popular homemade Crab Cakes and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms). Dinner was served in our brand new ballroom, including Carved Beef Tenderloin, Snow Peas and Baby Carrots, and more. Guests then danced the night away (including the traditional Jewish "Hora" dance) before sending the bride and groom off with a sparkler departure on the front porch. Linens by CE Rentals, Flowers by Victorian Seasons, DJ by Island Sound DJ, Cake by Ashely Cakes.

Highgrove May Weddings

2011-06-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Kristi and James had a wonderful evening wedding that finished off a month of beautiful events! This easy-going couple enjoyed a beautiful night with their guests as they dined on our homemade Crab Cakes and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms along with our famous Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Seasonal Fresh Vegetables, and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries. The reception tables were adorned with amazing blue and white hydrangeas and homemade favor boxes filled with sweets. Linens by CE Rentals, Flowers by Suzanne Page, Cake by Ashley Cakes.

Highgrove May Weddings

2011-06-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

Heather and Grahm had a fabulous wedding, from the floral design to the wonderful live band! This couple had many special touches to make their day personalized from start to finish. The ceremony was held under the pergola overlooking the lake, where hanging flower kissing ball adorned the lattice. Guests were treated to signature "his" and "hers" drinks on the patio, along with homemade Coconut Shrimp Shooters and Texas Barbeque Sliders for cocktail hour. The party then moved into the ballroom were the band started the party off right! Dinner was served "Family Style" where guest tables were presented with an array of homemade dishes that were passed around-- just like at home! After dinner, guests were in for a special treat as our famous Sweet Almond Cream and Berry Crepes were served alongside the cake and coffee. It was a night to remember! Linens by CE Rental, Flowers by Suzanne Page, Live Band was the Dance Party All-Stars, Cake by Mickey's Pastry Shop.

May Weddings at Highgrove

2011-06-22T11:07:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay in getting new posts up here! We had a busy May filled with beautiful weddings and sweet couples. Jennifer and Carl's wedding was very family oriented, with aunts, cousins, parents, and siblings helping to make the day special (from floral centerpieces to the spectacular candy station and homemade cookies). The menu featured our homemade crab cakes and fruit cosmos with key lime pie sauce and then our delicious Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken for one of the dinner entrees. It was a big party with lots of dancing and family fun!

Spring Reveiws for Highgrove

2011-06-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

"I fell in love with Highgrove from the very first moment. Every place we looked at after couldn't even come close. I was excited the day I got engaged and I was ecstatic the day we signed the contract with Highgrove. Our wedding day was made so much more special by the individualized attention we received from the staff at Highgrove every step of the way, and our bridal director Ann, is definitely the best of the best. Highgrove more than exceeded our expectations!"

Brittany and Hunter
May 14, 2011

Spring Reveiws for Highgrove

2011-06-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

We always like to share happy couples' reviews!

"Our wedding at Highgrove was the best day of our lives! We fully expected to be stressed with last minute details but ended up with no stress at all. The flow of the evening was wonderful and the staff could not have been more accommodating! Our guests are still talking about how wonderful the evening was and how much fun they all had! Thank you for making April 30th perfect!"

Liz and Travis
April 30, 2011

"Our wedding day was perfect, and the new ballroom is stunning! We would not change one thing! Highgrove exceeded our expectations! The staff took care of everything and really made us feel special. The entire day was relaxed and calm. Angela was amazing. Thank you so much for making our wedding day one of a kind. We will remember our extraordinary day at Highgrove forever!"

Sarah and Chad
May 6, 2011

May Wedding at Highgrove

2011-05-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend brought a few rain showers, but it didn't put a damper on the weddings at Highgrove! Saturday was a busy day, including a brunch and evening wedding. Both couples were a joy to work with and the day proved to be another perfect day for weddings. I wasn't able to get any pictures from the brunch wedding, but the Garden Ballroom was filled with Spring yellow and orange flowers and guests dined on Homemade Chicken A-La-King Pastry Wraps and Spring Salad.

Our evening wedding was a beautiful affair for a lovely couple! The rain passed by just in time for the ceremony to be held outside in the beautifully decorated pergola garden area. Guests were then welcomed to the brick patio for cocktails and handmade Fried Green Tomato Crostini with Salsa and Pimento Cheese and Crab Cakes. The Garden Ballroom doors were opened just a little while later, inviting guests to find their seats in the beautifully decorated room. Following the first dance, dinner was served. The menu featured Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Carved Beef Tenderloin, Seasonal Vegetables, and Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. The rest of the evening was spent dancing the night away, ending in a sparkler send-off. What a great weekend at Highgrove! Flowers: Brides and Bouquets, Cake: Blue Moon Bakery, DJ/Uplighting: Island Sound

Highgrove May Weddings

2011-05-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

The wedding on Friday night was a beautiful affair! From the colors to the flowers to the bride and groom- it was a sweet and lovely Spring wedding. The bride looked stunning in her floral gown and the bridesmaids bright yellow cocktail dresses added a little whimsy! Guests viewed the ceremony overlooking the lake while fanning themselves with bright yellow and blue program/fans. Cocktail hour featured fresh fruit kabobs with key lime sauce and sesame chicken skewers with apricot sauce. The ballroom was festive and fun with light green tableclothes and beautiful spring floral centerpieces and candles. Guests enjoyed a cockatil-party style dinner of food stations located throughout the property including: Salad Station with an assortment of freshly prepared salads, a Carving Station, and an interactive Pasta Station with a chef cooking up three types of pasta dishes. It was truly a wonderful night for a wonderful couple! Flowers by Fresh Affairs and cake by Sweet Memories Bakery.

Highgrove May Weddings

2011-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful weekend for our first May weddings! Our wedding on Saturday was a white and silver inspired event for a sweet couple from Boston. Guests enjoyed a bountiful fresh vegetable display for cocktail hour on our newly refinished brick patio before moving into the ballroom for dinner and dancing. The buffet dinner featured our own Smoked Beef Brisket, Spinach and Feta stuffed Chicken, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Fresh Seasonal Vegetables. The dessert table featured a beautiful arrangement of local made desserts and sweets that added some fun to the evening. Guests were also able to enjoy a photobooth on the patio (which included costumes/props). Flowers were done by Flowers on Broad St. and the desserts were brought in by The Bakehouse Cafe.

April Events at Highgrove

2011-05-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful weekend at Highgrove! We started Saturday off with our open house where our brand new Garden Ballroom and brick patios were featured. You can see some great pictures and a review from Southern Bride & Groom at http://blog.southernbrideandgroom.com/

On Saturday night we had a fabulous wedding with a great couple! It was a perfect day for an outdoor ceremony overlook ing the lake and then cocktail hour on the new brick patio. Guests then moved into the brand new Garden Ballroom for the reception where they dined on Wine Poached Salmon, Encrusted Pork, Seasonal Veggies, and Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. After dinner guests were invited to have some fun on our new side patio where corn hole and s'mores were set up! And there was no cake for this couple... but guests piled up their plates with our Highgrove brownies, chocolate mini tarts, and then a special treat of the bride's grandmothers' homemade cookies. What a wonderful start to the wedding season!

Spring Open House

2011-02-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar now for our Spring Open House on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10:00am-1:00pm. The house, grounds, and our brand new Garden Ballroom will be open for tours. We still have dates available for 2011-- we hope to see you there!

Magazine Flower Shoot at Highgrove

2010-12-10T07:09:00.000-08:00

We were honored to be featured in this amazing floral photo shoot done on location at Highgrove this past season. Check out this link to view the beautiful final result!
Highgrove Flower Video Shoot

Rave Reviews for Highgrove

2010-11-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

We had a great wedding thanks to Highgrove. Jeremy and I loved Highgrove-- it was perfect. The staff was courteous and helpful all evening. We loved the wedding and would recommend Highgrove to our friends.

Amanda and Jeremy
9/24/10

As we look back on our wedding day, it is still so hard to believe how such a stress-free, enjoyable experience turned into such a magical day. We feel so blessed and incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon such an amazing venue, equipped with caring, attentive, and unbelievably professional staff. On our wedding day the only thing we had to worry about was walking down that aisle, saying our vows, and having the time of our lives with our friends and family. THANK YOU Highgrove for giving us the wedding of our dreams!

Casey and Elizabeth
9/25/10

October Wedding at Highgrove

2010-10-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

It was the perfect weekend for weddings! The weather was gorgeous for this international wedding that featured a custom Persian wedding table. The table had symbolic meaning during the ceremony and was then moved into the reception where guests were invited to partake in the spread as well. Guests were also treated to homemade lamb kouftas for cocktail hour and a buffet featuring Smoked Beef Brisket, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Almondine, and Garden Salad. Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year to be married at Highgrove, when the weather is crisp and cool and the trees surrounding the property and lake are just beginning to turn!

September Weddings at Highgrove

2010-09-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Our last wedding of the month was an elegant evening filled with Tiffany blue and chocolate brown. It was a warm day, but the sun was out for the outdoor ceremony and the guests stayed cool in the beautifully decorated tent. Dinner included a beef tenderloin carving station, a table presentation of warm dips, homemade crackers, and roasted fresh vegetables, and a seafood station with shrimp, two types of crab legs, and crawdads. The cake was provided by Sweet Memories Bakery and the flowers were designed by Fresh Affairs. It was a wonderful way to end the busy month and the warm summer!

Rave Reviews for Highgrove

2010-09-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

We wanted to publish some of our feedback from recent weddings at Highgrove.

Highgrove helped make all of our wedding dreams come true! The day was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the staff was friendly and attentive. Our Highgrove coordinator was great to work with; she understood our vision and executed it, making sure we had a worry free day. Everything was perfect!
Amanda and Ben

Highgrove went out of their way to make us comfortable not only on our wedding day but throughout the entire planning process. They were helpful, knowledgeable, and most importantly fun people! Highgrove exceeded our expectations!
Kerry and Justin

Highgrove was the perfect place to get married! The wedding was breathtaking in every way and the food and staff were perfect-- they exceeded our expectations. The service, presentation, and quality is everything you need to make your special day! We would not have been able to do it without Highgrove.
Jessica and Allen

We loved Highgrove and so did our guests. The venue is gorgeous and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Our Highgrove coordinator made sure that everything ran smoothly-- everything was perfect!
Lindsey and Bill

September Weddings at Highgrove

2010-09-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

The end of September is already here as we look forward to the beautiful fall weddings coming up at Highgrove! The wedding featured here was an intimate affair featuring greens and purples and a lovely plated dinner. Each guest was treated to a delicious box of chocolates at their seat and then enjoyed a fabulous meal prepared by our own chefs. We started off with a Mediterranean salad with a homemade Greek savory pastry, an intermezzo sorbet course (with an edible purple orchid), and then Pecan Crusted Bourbon chicken, Roasted Purple Potato Medley, and Green Beans Almondine. The flowers were provided by Flowers on Broad Street and the cake was brought in by Ashley Cakes.

Summer Weddings at Highgrove

2010-09-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

The wedding this past Saturday was an elegant and perfect night! The weather was gorgeous and all the details of the wedding came together for a special night to remember. The event began with the personalized ceremony overlooking the lake. Cocktail hour was on the upper patio where guests were served homemade crabcakes, bruschetta, and sesame chicken, along with a signature guava mojito drink. The cocktail tables each featured old family wedding pictures and guests were invited to fill out personalized note cards for the bride and groom. Guests were then welcomed into the reception where amazing pink roses and candles decorated the tables. Dinner was served at three different stations: beef tenderloin was carved and served on the patio, the pasta station featured three different sauces and tortellini, and the salad station had three types of salad all served with chicken and fresh bread. You can also check out the bride and her dad dancing! The flowers were brought in by Fresh Affairs, the cake was provided by Ambrosia Cakes, and Reverend Kayelily Middleton performed the ceremony.

Summer Weddings at Highgrove

2010-09-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures from two of the weddings this weekend. The weather was perfect and the events were wonderful! Friday's wedding featured beautiful plum and linen colored linens. The pergola was decorated with hanging white hydrangea balls and candles which created the romantic backdrop for the outdoor ceremony overlooking the lake. Following cocktail hour, dinner was a plated meal where guests enjoyed a Mediterranean salad, then a sorbet course, and finally a entree where they could choose between salmon with crab filling or chicken stuffed with goat cheese. The food was done, as always, by our fabulous Highgrove chefs, flowers were brought in by Fresh Affairs, and the cake was provided by Sweet Memories Bakery. A fantastic start to our busy month of September weddings!

Highgrove August Wedding

2010-08-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day for a wedding, and a beautiful wedding it was! The colors were purple, pink, and white and were tied in throughout the event from the tablecloths, to the amazing flowers, the cake, and even to the favors (adorable boxes with chocolates inside). The dinner menu included a buffet complete with Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Beef Tenderloin, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Almonds, and Caesar Salad. The delicious cake was made by Sweet Memories Bakery and the beautiful flowers by Fresh Affairs.

August at Highgrove

2010-08-25T05:55:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay in getting new pictures up! I was having issues with the camera and was unable to capture some of our August weddings. This has been a very busy month at Highgrove and it has been fun to see all the different styles of weddings.
This wedding was a beautiful day with some personalized touches that made the event even more special. The colors were gray, yellow, and white and some of the pictures show those details. The bride and groom each had personalized wooden signs on their chairs, each table had martini glasses filled with candy, the table numbers were handmade by the bride's friend, and the place cards were attached to two wire trees-- so creative! The flowers were done by Dragonfly Designs, cake was from Sugarland, and the band was Loose Chain. A wonderful August wedding!

July Wedding at Highgrove

2010-07-26T08:23:00.001-07:00

The wedding this weekend was for a sweet couple who had a few sweet treats for their guests to enjoy. The colors were purple and green and from the linens to the flowers to the cake and candy bar-- the theme was carried through to complete this special day. The menu this week included a pasta station with tortellini and three kinds of sauce, a salad table (with Greek, Caesar, and summer spinach salad), and a carving station with beef tenderloin and garlic roasted mashed potatoes! Flowers were designed by Expressions of Love, Harpist was Brittany Makaly, and the cake complete with green and purple birds on the top was baked at Enchanted Moments Sweet Shop.

July Wedding at Highgrove

2010-07-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend's wedding featured a happy couple and some colorful and delicious food stations. The wedding was held indoors in the main reception room and then the party continued inside the reception tent. Some of the food included a seafood station with fresh shrimp, crawfish, and crab, a risotto bar with seared scallops served in martini glasses, and an executive vegetable display with grilled fresh vegetables with a wide assortment of local and organic cheeses, hummus, dips, and more. Special thanks to Christobal Perez of Azul Photography in Raleigh for the amazing photos!

July Weddings at Highgrove

2010-07-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Our first wedding of July! The day was warm, but the rain clouds stayed away as guests enjoyed food, fun, flowers, and cupcakes! The menu this week included Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Fresh Vegetables, and Beef Tenderloin.
The flowers were brought in by Fresh Affairs in Raleigh, cupcakes by the Cupcake Shoppe in Raleigh, the ceremony was officiated by Kayelily Middleton, and music was provided by Touch of Class DJ. It was a fun wedding topped off with a special pizza delivery at 10:15pm for all the guests to enjoy before heading back home!

June Weddings at Highgrove

2010-06-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

One of the weddings this weekend featured ivory and purple in a classic elegant design, from the flowers to place cards to the table settings and cake.

June Weddings at Highgrove

2010-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

This wedding featured simple and charming touches, including kiwi linens and purple flowers and for a personal and delicious way to celebrate, we set out a dessert table including fresh watermelon slices, dark chocolate brownies, and homemade strawberry shortcakes (all favorites of the bride and groom).

June Wedding at Highgrove

2010-06-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Even though the day was hot, the wedding this past weekend was sweet with ivory linens , green and white flowers, and the guests remaining cool in the air conditioned reception tent!

Highgrove June Open House

2010-06-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

Join us next weekend on June 12 for our Highgrove Open House 11:00am-1:00pm at Highgrove! The tent will be set with tables and linens and the house and grounds will be available for you to walk around. See you then!

More Highgrove Summer Wedding Pics

2010-06-05T12:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some more pictures from the wedding last week...

Summer Weddings at Highgrove

2010-06-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

What a spectacular wedding this was! The flowers were brought in by Donna at Broad St. Flowers, cake by Sweet Memories Bakery, linens by CE Rental. The purple and black and white were a stunning scene in the reception tent, and hundreds of votive candles made the night even more beautiful.

Summer Weddings at Highgrove

2010-06-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from a fun wedding last week at Highgrove. The colors were Tiffany blue and pink and white and the hay bales were used as an additional seating area for guests at this Texas-style event! Flowers by Fresh Affairs and linens by CE Rental.

Flowers in Bloom at Highgrove

2010-06-04T12:08:00.001-07:00

Here are the latest pictures of our house and flowers-- what a beautiful backdrop!

Highgrove April Open House

2010-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

You are invited to attend our Spring Open House on Saturday, April 24 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Highgrove. We will have light refreshments and the house and grounds will be open for you to tour. Our bridal coordinators will also be on sight to answer any questions you may have about choosing Highgrove for your big day!

Highgrove at the Bridal Show

2010-03-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Come by and visit our Highgrove booth at the Southern Bridal Show and Expo next week on Sunday, April 18 from 11-4:00pm. We look forward to meeting you there!

Highgrove March Open House

2010-03-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

Join us at Highgrove this Sunday, March 28 for our Open House from 1:00-3:00pm. The house and grounds will be open for you to walk through and Highgrove Coordinators will be available for you to speak with. Bring your friends and family-- we'll see you then!

Emily and Todd | November 2009

2010-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

Everyone at Highgrove went above and beyond our expectations. Even as pretty as I had pictured our wedding to be, it turned out so much more amazing. From our coordinator to the catering and other staff, to the actual venue itself, everybody and everything was great! If we had to do our wedding over again, we would have it at Highgrove! I can't put into words how special you all helped our wedding day to be! Thank you so much!

Bridal Show January 2-3

2009-12-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

Please visit our booth this weekend at the bridal show! Highgrove will be at the NC State Fairgrounds in the Jim Graham building from 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday, January 2 and 11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday, January 3 at the Forever Bridal Show (please click here for ticket information). We will have plenty of pictures and will be available to answer all of your wedding questions. See you there!

Winter Open House

2009-12-29T17:48:00.000-08:00

Please join us on Saturday, January 16 from 10:00am- 1:00pm for our Winter Open House. The house and grounds will be open and we will be available to answer any questions you may have about holding your wedding at Highgrove! We look forward to seeing you out there!

Thank you!

2009-12-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

When you plan a wedding, everything is hard to imagine fitting all together. At Highgrove, it was so evident how well-planned and organized everything was and as a bride, I felt so at ease and knew that everything would be taken care of. Thank you for making our day even better than I imagined!

Molly and Mike
November 6, 2009

Thank you so much

2009-12-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

Everyone was so nice and pleasant to work with. We could not have asked for better service. Everything looked perfect! It truly was my dream wedding-- thank you for making that possible for us.

Michelle and David
September 20, 2009

Thanks!

2009-10-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for making our wedding day perfect. Everyone talked about how good the food was, how beautiful the wedding was, and how much fun they had. We appreciate everyone at Highgrove for making our day that way!

Lindsey and Jason
August 22, 2009

Thank you...

2009-10-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

We cannot rave enough about Highgrove. The grounds are picturesquely beautiful, the staff are attentive and helpful, and the food is scrumptiously delicious! Even now that our wedding day is long over, our family and guests are still talking about the coconut shrimp! It was truly a special and unforgettable day for the both of us. And the emotions and feelings we felt at Highgrove will be forever ingrained in our hearts and memories.

LuAnn and Pong
August 23, 2009

Thanks from the mother of the bride

2009-09-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write and tell you how much we enjoyed our experience with Highgrove. All along the way everyone was kind and helpful-- nothing could have been better. Our coordinator made me feel quite "at home" during the day when I was getting everything in and set up. She handled many things, I'm sure, that I don't even know about...including an extra "prayer" to hold back the rain. (The clouds opened up just after the last guest got under the shelter.) And the food...absolutely delicious-- and beautifully set up and graciously served. Our guests continued to tell us that it was the most relaxed, beautiful, comfortable, and fun wedding they had ever attended. That was testimony to our selection of Highgrove!

Bonnie Whitesell (mother of the bride)
May 16, 2009

Highgrove Open House

2009-08-13T14:37:00.001-07:00

Join us on Saturday, August 22 from 10:00am-1:00pm for our open house. Feel free to stop by during those hours to walk through the house, see the grounds, and ask any questions about having your upcoming wedding at Highgrove! We do ask that you RSVP to info@highgrove-nc.com

We'll see you there!

See you at the bridal show this weekend!

2009-08-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Come out and visit our booth this Sunday, August 16 at the bridal show at the fairgrounds. The show runs from 11am-4pm--we'd love to talk to you! You can click here for more information.

We've been chosen as "One of the Best Outdoor Sites" in NC!

2009-08-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to be featured again in The Knot, this time online and in their current fall/winter issue out now!

Our first mention is under the Knot notebook where we have been chosen as one of the "Best Outdoor Sites" in North Carolina to get married!

You can also click here to find us in the "real weddings" section where one of our couples and their big day from last year is featured.

2009-08-03T12:36:00.001-07:00

We cannot thank you enough for everything that you did to make our day go so well! Highgrove is gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the staff was above and beyond amazing! We are still getting compliments weeks later about how great the place, food, and the people were. We can't thank you enough for everything and will surely recommend you to everyone!

Emily and Eric
May 30, 2009

2009-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after our wedding we are still talking about how wonderful it was! Our friend went to four weddings this summer and he said that ours was the best! Everyone stated that everything was so beautiful and elegant. You over-exceeded our expectations. We have already recommended Highgrove to a friend who is getting married.

Mandy and Chase
June 27, 2009

2009-07-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much!

2009-07-13T11:47:00.001-07:00

Highgrove was the perfect place to have our wedding. If we needed something someone was there, if we didn't need anything they were not in the way. The grounds were beautiful. It was obvious the love and labor everyone puts into the place! All of our guests kept repeating how beautiful everything was. Matt and I couldn't agree more. Highgrove was my dream place to have a wedding, I'm so glad you made it a reality. Vicky, the food was DELICIOUS! Thank you for everything.

Kelli and Matt

Our wedding

2009-07-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Words cannot describe how beautiful you made our wedding day. Most brides have in their heads exactly how they would like their day to be and it was everything I dreamed of. The atmosphere was relaxed, smooth, and beautiful. You all were very attentive to our needs. Your gracious manner shows in every way! Your staff was very polite, organized, and pleasant. I loved everything about Highgrove. In words, I will always describe Highgrove as purely magical and every bride's dream come true!
P.S. We didn't want the night to end... all the comments I have heard from the girls who attended were "most gorgeous wedding and the place was like a fairy tale."

Tara and Chris

Thank you

2009-07-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much for the exceptional services you provided to us for our wedding. You all have been incredibly helpful to us over the past year as we planned our wedding. The service and set-up were impeccable and the food was absolutely divine. We received so many compliments on Highgrove, the grounds and scenery, and the catering. We are so glad we choose Highgrove for our wedding and won't hesitate to recommend you to others. Many thanks to you all!

Matt and Jenn McGinnis

From arriving at Highgrove until the departure, we had awesome experiences. My mind was at ease when I saw Ann and Angela setting up the tent for the reception-- they seemed to know exactly what to do. I love how no one asked me questions because that would have stressed me out. I was able to trust the Highgrove staff 100%. During the cocktail hour Patrick and I were so impressed by the staff who were always there with food or to get our drink orders as we were having our pictures taken. I can't say enough great things about Highgrove!

Amanda and Patrick Burns

2009-07-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

We had a great wedding at Highgrove! Many of our guests came from out of state and were truly impressed by the scenic beauty of the venue. It was the perfect place for the perfect day!

Karren and Mike Jackson

2009-07-10T08:33:00.000-07:00