April Highgrove Wedding

This weekend we held a beautiful wedding on a gorgeous Spring day! The weather was perfect as Carol Leigh and Chad exchanged vows under the pergola; the bride was very emotional and both bride and groom were so excited as the officiate announced them Mr. and Mrs. for the first time. Guests then moved up to the patio where the string quartet played while our wonderful staff passed delicious appetizers of Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Honey Ham and Beef Tenderloin Crostini. The live band welcomed guests into the ballroom where after the first dance, salads were served and the dinner buffet opened. The menu included Fresh Garden Salad, Smoked Beef Brisket, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Rosemary Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. The candy bar was a huge hit for dessert, along with the Chocolate and Lemon wedding cake flavors. The band rocked the night away as the crowd danced and had fun until the sparkler send off to end the night! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Cake: Sweet Memories, Music: Blue Sands Music and The Shakedown, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St.

March Wedding at Highgrove

We had two fabulous weddings this weekend, but I was only able to capture pictures from one. We were worried that the rain would keep us from holding the outdoor ceremony, but a few hours prior to the start time, the skies cleared up and it turned out to be a beautiful day for a wedding! Brandy and Carey exchanged their vows overlooking the lake in a sweet ceremony with adorable flower girls! Cocktail hour was held on the upper patio where guests were treated to Pecan Crusted Chicken Skewers, BBQ Pork Sliders, and Coconut Shrimp. The reception doors to the ballroom were then opened, and guests found their seats at the beautifully decorated tables. After a welcome by the newlyweds, the "Strolling Reception" began where guests could stroll from one food station to the next. The menu included a Crepe Station with savory (seafood bisque and chicken volute fillings) and sweet (almond cream with blueberries and raspberries). There was also a carving station with Beef Tenderloin, Rosemary Potatoes, and Ciabatta Bread and also a Pasta Station where guests could choose from Cheese Tortolini or Penne pasta and a selection of Pesto, Marinara, or Alfredo sauces. It was a delicious feast! Cupcakes and coffee were served for dessert as guests enjoyed the rest of the evening with dancing. What a beautiful end to a busy month of weddings. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: English Garden, DJ/Uplighting: Island Sound, Cupcakes: Sweet Memories

March Wedding at Highgrove

Our wedding last weekend was an intimate affair filled with beautiful touches and tremendous food! Our couple first began the day exchanging vows underneath our outdoor garden pergola. Guests then moved up to the patio where they were treated to Hand Dipped Coconut Shrimp, Fried Green Tomato Crostini, Crab Cakes, and Cherry Tomato/Basil/Mozzarella Skewers. After the first dances, the dinner buffet opened, featuring Carved Beef Tenderloin, Salmon with Butter Dill Sauce, Roasted New Potatoes, Carrots and Snow Peas, Green Beans Almondine, and an action station where our chef prepared Seared Scallops over Risotto with Truffle Oil. If that wasn't enough to fill guests up, alongside the wedding cake and candy table was our Dessert Crepe Station, where an attendant prepared fresh Crepes filled with Sweet Almond Cream and Fruit Toppings. The evening ended in dancing and then a sparkler send off on the front porch. Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals.

Below is what the bride had to say about her enchanted evening!

My wedding at Highgrove was absolutely perfect. The venue was gorgeous, the garden and lake were beautiful, and it was just beginning to be lovely spring. The ballroom has beautiful crystal lights and mirrors. All my guests raved at how delicious the food was (hand breaded coconut shrimp, crab cakes, beef tenderloin, scallops and melt in your mouth risotto, dessert crepes). Ann, one of Highgrove's coordinators, was such a sweetheart. At various points of the night, I could see her working furiously making sure everything went smoothly behind the scenes. She fluffed my dressed, cut my cake, set up my tables and candy bar, and was an absolute joy to work with. Highgrove does everything for you. They have their own tables, chairs and linens, their own catering staff and servers. It was fabulous not having to worry about if there would be chairs arriving on time. I highly recommend Highgrove. Years from now, I will always remember how perfect my wedding was thanks to them!

Nga Le
March 10, 2012

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