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!

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

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.

August Event at Highgrove

Here are some pictures from our fabulous event on Sunday night. The weather was beautiful and the food was some of our best ever. We were excited to try out a ton of new and exciting menu items and displays for our guests. In addition to the pictures below one of the other biggest hits of the night was our Flambéd Krispy Kreme Donut table. Chef attended, this interactive station featured our chefs sautéing the donuts and then presenting them with Homemade Maple Ice Cream and Toasted Pecans or Homemade Vanilla with Pink Sea Salt. What a creative way to treat your guests to a little bit of Southern deliciousness!  Hope you enjoy!

Our "adult" alcohol snow cone station with lemon drop, green apple, and raspberry! Perfect for that warm summer wedding!

Our Cookies and Cork display. A perfect mingling of sweet and savory homemade cookies with specialty wines. A special treat to welcome your guests to your event at Highgrove.

The ballroom was gorgeous!

Most of the floral centerpieces were done by Flowers on Broad St. and others were done by Tables of Contents-- thanks to Donna and Linda for the beautiful displays!

The food presentation table. This station was a new one where we had fresh grilled chicken and beef skewers served sizzling hot on our giant skillet.

Another gorgeous table.

Our Aviator bar-- the guys favorite type of bar to hang out at  during the event. There are bar stool as well and snacks for everyone to enjoy!

One of our newest displays-- a Cured Salmon Crostini with Lemon Caper Cream Cheese and Caviar-- served in individual metal tins on the bookshelf. What a fun centerpiece for cocktail hour on the patio. 

A close up of the Salmon.

Our Peach Bellinis served with hot Mini Paninis. Another fabulous way to do cocktail hour!

These were one of the most popular treats of the night-- our Fried Oysters served in the shell in a bed of salt. 

8.25 Highgrove Wedding

It was a super busy weekend for us at Highgrove-- but the weather was gorgeous and the events and food were fabulous! Our wedding on Saturday was for a beautiful couple that enjoyed celebrating their special day with close friends and family from all over the world. The bride and groom were married at a church before arriving at Highgrove to enjoy the reception. Cocktail hour was on our patio and featured lots of choices for their guests. Fresh Fruit Cosmos with Key Lime Pie Sauce, Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish on Crostini, Bruschetta, and Fried Green Tomatoes with Homemade Pimento Cheese on Crostini kept guests full and happy during the bridal party pictures. The reception was held in our Garden Ballroom and featured our Southern Buffet for dinner. The menu included Garden Salad, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Beef Short Ribs, Roasted New Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables in Olive Oil. It was wonderful watching this party, as everyone was out on the dance floor the whole night celebrating along with the bride and groom! Cake and coffee were served and then the party continued until the farewell departure. Congrats! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., Cake: Ashley Cakes, DJ: Touch of Class DJs

8.18 Highgrove Wedding

After our busy open house on Saturday morning, we had just a few hours to prepare for another special event that evening-- the wedding reception for Katy and Mark. The happy couple exchanged their vows in a Raleigh church before heading over to Highgrove where they and their 100 guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio. We were excited to feature our Shrimp Cocktail Shooters along with our Fresh Vegetable Table. Guests were asked to sign the very unique "guest book tree" (see the picture below), which was a cut from a family tree that the couple are going to make into a table-- how creative!

Everyone then made their way into the Garden Ballroom for the reception where the bride and groom shared their first dance together before also dancing with their parents. Dinner was buffet style and included our Summer Garden Salads, Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken Salmon with Tropical Salsa, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables. After dinner the couple greeted their guests before cutting the cake and then dancing the night away. It all ended with a bubble departure on the front porch and the bride and groom making their get-away in Katy's dad's antique hot red Mustang convertible! What a fun wedding for a sweet couple! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., DJ and Uplighting: Island Sound, Cake: Ambrosia

Summer Open House Pictures

We were so thrilled to host our Summer Open House this past Saturday on a beautiful day! We had a wonderful turnout and were excited to see so many happy couples and their families come out for fun, food, and a tour of Highgrove. Guests were welcomed by our Mock Mojitos on the front porch- served in Mason Jars of course-- so Southern! As guests entered the house they were greeted by a live string trio (provided by Save the Date Music), before heading into the sunroom to try some of our most popular items including our Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Coconut Shrimp, and our Homemade Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream filling. We were also excited to have cupcakes from Sweet Memories-- delicious! Everyone mentioned how lovely the house and grounds looked-- it was a wonderful time had by all. Thanks also to Tara Parker photography for coming out to take pictures!