October Highgrove Weddings

We held two gorgeous weddings this last weekend in October, and it turned out to be nice weather for both events... despite the forecast! We were so thankful to have two dry days in a row and I know our couples were so relieved as well.
Friday night we celebrated with Chloe and Karl as they celebrated their marriage with 60 of their closest friends and family. It was a quaint affair but beautiful and wonderful just the same! The couple shared their vows in a brief service overlooking the lake where the fall trees looked amazing with color. The upper patio held cocktail hour where guests dined on Carolina Pulled Pork on Corn Sticks with Frazzled Collards, Fresh Fruit Cosmos, and our Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms. Following a relaxed time on the patio, the guests made their way into the ballroom which was inviting with silver, oranges, whites, and creams in the tablecloths and flowers. One very creative idea the bride had was the incorporate old books into the decor as the table numbers. She also included an antique typewriter at the guest book table and old luggage from her and the groom's family. Family Style dinner was served and included our Fall Spinach Salad with Berries and Candied Walnuts, Poached Salmon, Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Marsala Wine Sauce, Roasted New Potatoes with Rosemary and our Baby Carrots in Vanilla Bean Butter Sauce. After dinner, the dance floor was open for a while before the champagne and cake were served. It was a lovely event and we wish Chloe and Karl all the best! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: English Garden, Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes, DJ: Island Sound, Photographer: Tara Parker

The guest tables with book table numbers

Guest book table with antique typewriter

The ceremony

The cake was very beautiful with hand piped design work

The head table with more books!

The ballroom

Ballroom

Lanterns outside with candles- beautiful at night

October 20 Highgrove Wedding

So sorry for the delay in getting pictures from last weekend's wedding! We actually had two wonderful weddings, but below are the pictures and details from Lindsay and Tom's special day on Saturday.

Lindsay did a fabulous job of thinking up every little detail for her wedding day, which made the party a wonderful time from beginning to end. The weather was absolutely perfect as she and Tom exchanged their vows under our garden pergola as 155 family and friends watched on. The flowers handing from the pergola were gorgeous, and the color scheme was the perfect fit for the bride's vision of a French Rustic feel. After the beautify ceremony complete with live violins, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio. They dined on our display of Mini Cuban Sandwiches served with Rum and Coke, along with our Fried Oysters served in the shell, and Grilled Chicken and Steak Kabobs. Guests had fun with the personalized corn hole boards on the side patio and hand made picture "photo booth" that the bride made. Following cocktail hour, the party moved into our ballroom where guests were invited to dine "Strolling" style with a Salad Station, Savory Crepe Station, and also a Carving Station. After dinner, the live band took center stage and kept everyone dancing the night away. Cake and champagne were served and then sparklers saw the happy couple off at the end of the night. It was a creative, thoughtful, and beautiful affair-- congrats to Lindsay and Tom! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers/Centerpieces: Flowers on Broad St. and Table of Contents, Cake: Sweet Memories, Music: Empty Pocket

The sweet ceremony

The guest seating cards

Corn hole--their was a guy board opposite of this one

The Cubans with Rum and Coke

The bride's father made this wooden shelf to display memory candles and pictures

The colors were navy with yellows, whites, and gold

The very pretty wedding cake

The crepe station-- savory for dinner and then sweet for dessert

The grilled Chicken and Steak Kabobs

The delicious Fried Oysters

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.