Thursday, March 14, 2013

Highgrove March 9 Wedding

What a perfectly beautiful day for a wedding! We were so excited to celebrate with Elise and Nick as they shared their special day with over 150 of their closest friends and family. The ceremony was overlooking the lake, while the pergola was beautifully decorated with hanging flowers, crystals, and chandeliers. The couple exchanged their vows and then headed around the property and to the lake for pictures. During cocktail hour their guests enjoyed Sesame Chicken Skewers with Spicy Apricot Sauce, Fresh Fruit Cosmos, Crab Cakes with Old Bay Aioli, and Proscuitto, Roasted Pepper, and Mozzarella Bruschetta. Guests then made their way into the lovely ballroom where lavender and silver linens and decor greeted them. Dinner was served "Family Style" on our glass lazy susans and included Garden Salads for the first course, and then family style platters of our Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken with Roasted New Potatoes, Smoked Beef Brisket, and Seasonal Vegetables. Following dinner, dancing and sparkling cider toasts took place. The couple then treated their guests to wedding cupcakes, a candy bar, and best of all... our Flambe Krispy Kreme Donuts with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. It was a wonderful event from start to end with special touches and treats all along the way. Congrats to the newlyweds! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Flowers: Dogwood Tree Floral Designs, DJ: The Perfect Beat, Photography: F8 Studios, Cake: Simply Cakes

The ballroom 

Lavender and Ivory Cupcakes
Vintage decor on the seating chart table

Our glass lazy susans for our family style dinners

One of the lovely crystal lights hanging at the pergola

Highgrove's First Wedding of the Season

After a much needed break, we are back and excited for a fabulous 2013 wedding season! We have been blessed with great weather for our March weddings and they have been as beautiful as ever.

Photo by Image Mill Photography
March 3 was our very first wedding this year and it was a stunning affair! Guests from all over the world attended the celebration of our couple. The vows were exchanged overlooking the lake and under the pergola, which had been decorated with kissing balls and flowers. The bride looked lovely in her lace and tool gown, and even though it was a bit chilly-- the couple were so excited to be married. Cocktail hour was held in the garden ballroom where guests dined on Shrimp and Shallot stuffed Mushrooms, Fresh Fruit Cosmos, and Coconut Shrimp. Dinner was "strolling style" and was a food feast including: Beef Tenderloin carving station with Rosemary Potatoes, Salad Display featuring four types of fresh salad and Grilled Chicken, Pasta Station with cheese Tortellini and 3 types of sauces all cooked fresh for the guests, and our Crepe Station with two Savory fillings and then our Sweet Almond Cream and Berry Crepes for dessert. Following dinner the champagne toasts were made in English and Russian as both families shared encouraging words for the newlyweds. Delicious wedding cake finished off the evening before the couple headed out under a sparkler departure. Congrats to our couple! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Flowers: Flowers on Broad, Cake: Sweet Memories; DJ: Touch of Class; Photographer: Image Mill

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Highgrove Awards



We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected for two very prestigious awards!

Highgrove has been chosen as Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Venue Award for 2013-- voted by our very own brides and grooms as the top venue in Raleigh, NC! Click on our award below to visit our Wedding Wire page.

Weddings, Wedding VenuesHighgrove, Best Wedding Venues in Raleigh - 2013 Bride's Choice Award Winner
 




We are also excited to announce that we've been voted as The Knot's Best of 2013 for best venue as well! Also chosen based on our 2012 reviews from actual Highgrove couples-- we just want to say thank you for the honor!






Friday, December 14, 2012

Highgrove Winter Open House

Join us tomorrow, Saturday December 15 from 10am-1pm for our Holiday Open House! We will have food and drinks and booking specials for our 2013 weddings! The house is all decorated for Christmas and we would love to see you there!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

November 17 Highgrove Wedding

Two more beautiful weddings for November at Highgrove, and we were happy to celebrate with these two sweet couples!

Our Saturday wedding was a fabulous event for 140 guests-- all there to celebrate the marriage of Ashley and Travis. The couple welcomed their guests with Hot Apple Cider on the patio before being escorted to the ceremony area. The couple so thoughtfully provided warm fleece blankets for the ladies during the chilly afternoon ceremony. The pergola was decorated beautifully with autumn colored flowers adorning the wood and a live string quartet played the lovely music. Following the service, guests made their way up to the patio and into the ballroom for cocktail hour. Ashley surprised her groom with an impressive Petey the Pirate ice sculpture next to the bar-- which was just another nice touch to the already beautiful patio. Guests dined on our Fried Green Tomatoes with Homemade Pimento Cheese, Crab Cakes with Aioli Sauce, and Risotto topped with Braised Short Ribs in mini eclipse bowls. The ballroom was warm and welcoming for the reception, with the fireplace lit and the uplighting just breathtaking! Following the first dance and champagne toasts, dinner was served 'Strolling Style' with our Crepes (Chicken Cordon Bleu and Seafood), Carved Beef Tenderloin alongside of our Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes and Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, and Carved Pork Loin with Homemade Bleu Cheese Chips and Carolina Slaw. The food kept coming... with Dessert Crepes after dinner, our S'Mores Station outside on the patio, and a cupcake table. The party continued on with lots of dancing and sparklers to end the night. Congrats to the happy newlyweds! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Brides and Bouquets, Cupcakes: Sweet Memories, DJ and Uplighting: Island Sound, Photographer: Tara Parker
The beautiful pergola during the ceremony

The bar with ice sculpture

The head table and fireplace

The cupcake table
A little blurry... the ballroom

Monday, November 12, 2012

Highgrove 11.10 Wedding

Another beautiful weekend with two beautiful weddings at Highgrove. Our Saturday wedding was a lovely affair for Kacy and Andrew with an ivory and navy blue color scheme. The couple shared their vows in a simple ceremony overlooking the lake while 100 close family and friends watched on. Cocktail hour was enjoyed on the patio and featured our Crab Cakes with Aioli Sauce and Cheddar Biscuits with Honey Mustard and Ham. The bride and groom also treated their guests to two signature drinks-- a special Whiskey and Coke (the groom's favorite) and also a Cranberry and Vodka. As the sun set, the ballroom doors were opened as guests were invited in for the dinner reception. Following the first dance, dinner was served Family Style and included our Garden Salad, Salmon Poached in White Wine, Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish, Carrots in Vanilla Bean Butter, and Roasted New Potatoes. The dance floor opened for a while before guests took part in the champagne toast and then enjoyed cake. The night ended with sparklers on the front porch. Our best to the newlyweds! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Flowers: Family and Expressions of Love, DJ: A Touch of Class, Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes

The ballroom in ivory satin table clothes
The beautiful cake



Sweet heart table in front of the fireplace

Garden Salads for dinner

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Highgrove November Wedding

The weather was gorgeous this past Saturday for our first wedding of November; the skies were clear and a chill was in the air for the evening ceremony. We rarely have a ceremony take place at night, but it turned out lovely for Laurie and Billy with a mantle backdrop and tons of twinkling candles adorning the pergola. Following the sweet ceremony performed by the bride's grandfather, guests made their way into the ballroom and house for cocktail hour. Hot Apple Cider was butler passed to help guests warm up, in addition to our Fried Gulf Oysters with Remoulade Sauce, Fried Green Tomato Crostini with Pimento Cheese and Artichoke Salsa, and Carolina Pulled Pork on Corn Cakes with Collards. The live band provided wonderful jazz during the hour before the bridal party made their way into the party. After the announcement, cake cutting, and toasts, the buffet dinner began and included our Pecan Crusted Bourbon Chicken, Poached Salmon with Lemon Buerre Blanc, Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds, and our Risotto with Leeks and Parmesan. The band then opened the dance floor full swing as guests made their way onto the floor. Following a while of dancing, guests headed outside to have some fun roasting our Homemade Marshmallows and putting together their own S'Mores at our S'Mores table and fire pit on the patio. The happy couple exited the event under sparklers on the front porch. Congrats to the wonderful couple! Food and Drink: Highgrove, Linens: CE Rentals, Flowers: Flowers on Broad St., Cake/Desserts: Sweet Memories, Music: The Common Clay Band, Photographer: Sweet Life
Our Carolina Pulled Pork on Corn Cakes with Collards
The buffet in the house

Hard to capture on film-- but this was the evening ceremony at the pergola

The ballroom-- silver, black, pink, and white were the colors


The dessert table

The beautiful sweet heart table in front of the warm fireplace

Our Fried Green Tomato Crostini with Pimento Cheese and Salsa