Fall Wedding at Highgrove

What an absolutely amazing weekend for two beautiful weddings at Highgrove. The weather was autumn perfection for our two couples who celebrated their special days with us. Below are the details and pictures from our Saturday wedding.

Our Saturday couple did a fantastic job of putting together an amazing event for their friends and family-- and we were so happy to be a part. Guests were greeted on the front porch with a welcome mocktail-- our delicious Pineapple Spritzer served in champagne flutes, before heading out to the back lawn for the ceremony. The happy couple exchanged their vows overlooking the lake with simple, yet sweet grapevine balls hanging from the pergola. The bridesmaids dresses were fabulous- hot pink halter top tea length gowns-- fun and festive! For cocktail hour, the party headed up to our patio where everyone loved the Aviator Bar set-up, complete with cocktail bar chairs and snacks to go along with the beer and wine. In addition, the guests were invited to try out two signature drinks-- Rum and Coke and an Apple Cider Martini-- how perfect for Fall. The appetizers featured were our Crab Cakes with Aioli Sauce, Fresh Fruit Cosmos with Key Lime Sauce, and our Carolina Pulled Pork on Corn Cakes with Collards. Dinner was held in our garden ballroom which was absolutely stunning. The linens, flowers, and uplighting all worked together to create a warm and beautiful room for the party. Guests dined on our buffet selection of Autumn Spinach Salad, Cabernet Braised Short Ribs with White Cheddar Grit Cakes, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Risotto with Leeks, and Seasonal Vegetables. Following the champagne toast and cake cutting, the bride and groom treated their guests to a candy table in the house. It was gorgeous event from start to end and we wish both of our couples all the best! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Sweet Memories, Flowers: Family, DJ and Uplighting: Island Sound

The ballroom with the couple's monogram

The wedding cake

The flowers were so beautiful!

Flowers in pumpkins

The place cards 

The Aviator Bar

More of the Aviator Bar

The bride's dress was stunning

Wine at the bar

A little dark-- but the whole bar set-up

October 6 Highgrove Wedding

Saturday was a glorious day for an afternoon brunch wedding at Highgrove! It is always exciting to start the day off early preparing for a wedding and with a menu like the bride and groom had chosen, we knew it was going to be fabulous!

The bride and groom exchanged their vows with the bright sun overhead as 100 friends and family watched on. The bride looked radiant in her dress and the couple beamed as they walked up the aisle together as newly marrieds! Cocktail hour was held on the patio and featured our Crab Cakes with Aioli Sauce, Cheese Display with Imported and Domestic cheese, and also our Handmade Cheese Straws. Champagne and Mimosas were butler passed, along with Juices, Lemonade, Tea, and Coffee selections. The party headed into the ballroom for brunch, beginning with baskets of Homemade Scones and Mini Muffins (all made from scratch). The buffet inside the house welcomed guests with 2 tables of food-- Assorted Frittatas, Grits, Hand Cut Home Fries, Fresh Fruit Salad, Baked Blueberry Walnut French Toast, Carved Ham, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Crisp Smoked Bacon-- it was quite a spread! The guests headed out to the dance floor for a while before the champagne toast and cake cutting, and as a special treat for the guests, the bride and groom presented our Handmade Whoppie Pie table with Pumpkin Whoppies filled with Maple Cream Cheese and also Chocolate Whoppies filled with Mint Buttercream Filling. A delicious wedding from beginning to end! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., Cake: Ambrosia, DJ: A Perfect Mix Productions

October 5 Highgrove Wedding

What a dreary day today, this Monday... but what a beautiful weekend of weddings it was out in Fuquay Varina at Highgrove! We were busy with three lovely events this first weekend of October, and I was able to capture the images from two of the weddings. I hope you enjoy.

Friday's wedding was a small gathering of close friends and family of our couple, that enjoyed great food and fun at the beautiful event. The bride looked gorgeous in her gown as she walked down the aisle to greet her waiting groom. The very happy couple exchanged their vows over looking the lake in a ceremony filled with special music and songs. As the bridal party headed out front to take pictures, the guests moved up to our patio where a fabulous display of our handmade Paninis with Peach Bellinis awaited. Guests commented on how fun and delicious the appetizers were! The reception was held in our Garden Ballroom where a buffet dinner was served. A Greek Salad with Lemon dressing was served as the first course, following bread service, and then guests dined on our Salmon with Lemon Burre Blanc Sauce, Roasted New Potatoes, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, and Seasonal Vegetables. Following the champagne toast and cake cutting, the bride and groom treated everyone to   the hit of the night... The Krispy Kreme Flambe Station with Homemade Maple Ice Cream! The guests lined up to catch a glimpse of this fun and interactive display where our chefs dazzled the onlookers with fire sautéed sweet donuts cooled off with a scoop of homemade ice cream and pink sea salt. It was a wonderful way to begin a busy month of weddings at Highgrove! Food and drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Sweet Memories, Flowers: Fleurescence, DJ:  Morse Entertainment

Homemade Grilled Paninis with Peach Bellinis-- delish!

The wedding ceremony.

Cute sign on the patio!

The ballroom-- silver and purple.

The wedding cake-- so good!

Highgrove Wedding 9/28

This was a very busy weekend for us... with weather that was up and down every day! Here is a glimpse at Friday's wedding.

Our couple on Friday held their ceremony at Highgrove outside under our garden pergola. Family and friends watched on as the two said, "I Do" in a brief, yet sweet service. The cocktail hour was held on the patio where guests raved about the Braised Short Ribs over Risotto and our Fresh Fruit Cosmos with Key Lime Sauce. Dinner was held buffet style, and following the plated Garden Salads, was our   ever popular Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Au Jus, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Carrots and Snow Peas in Vanilla Sauce. Guests were in for a sweet treat following the cake and champagne... it was our S'Mores station where everyone was able to roast their own Homemade Marshmallows over the fire before topping them with Hershey Bars and Graham Crackers! It was a sweet way to end the evening! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Expressions of Love, Cake: Ambrosia Cakes, Music: A Perfect Mix Productions.

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"

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