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

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