Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide catering or do I need to bring in a caterer?
Highgrove is a full service facility that provides all your food and staffing.
Do I have an opportunity to taste the food?
Highgrove has two seasonal food tasting galas each year for our brides, one in the winter and one in the fall.
When do I need to apply for my liquor permit?
One month prior to the wedding date.
Where do I get the liquor permit?
Go to www.ncabc.com
Is cake cutting service included in my wedding at Highgrove?
Yes, our staff will cut and serve your wedding cake.
How long will the wedding rehearsal take?
Included in your contract is a 1 hour rehearsal time. Typically, rehearsals take about 45 minutes. We strongly encourage you to inform everyone in your wedding ceremony to arrive at Highgrove approximately 15 minutes before the official start of the rehearsal to ensure a timely start and finish.
Does my officiate need to be at the rehearsal?
It is not required that your officiate attend the rehearsal. Some officiates like to attend the rehearsal in order to review the ceremony and practice the order of service with you and the wedding party. Others feel comfortable just coming to the actual wedding. Talk with your officiate and let them know what you prefer.
What do I need to bring to the rehearsal?
In order that your wedding day be less stressful, we recommend bringing all of your wedding items to the rehearsal, including: programs, guest book and pen, favors, place cards, pictures, portrait, cake cutting sets, toasting glasses, send off items (sparklers, bubbles, etc.), table decorations, votives, special napkins, liquor for full open bars, liquor license, etc. We will safely store your items until the next day, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Do I get to keep any leftover food from the wedding?
Due to food health and safety regulations, we can not package leftovers to go. We do provide a complimentary gift bag of food and champagne for the bride and groom because we know you may be just too busy to eat!
What happens to my leftover cake?
We will package any leftover wedding cake for you to take home. Please inform your wedding cake baker to leave to-go boxes when they deliver your cake, otherwise cake will be packaged in plastic wrap.
How many guests are seated at each table?
Our tables are 66” rounds and seat 10.
How many guests can fit in the reception tent?
We can seat up to 225 guests in the tent.
How big is the dance floor?
The black and white checkered dance floor is 16’x 16’.
How many feet is the aisle, from the bottom of the brick stairs to where the officiate stands?
It is 20 feet from the bottom of the brick stairs to the end of the pergola, it is 55 feet from the French doors all the way down to the end of the pergola.
How many chairs can you fit on the lawn for a ceremony?
We can fit 200 chairs.
Is it necessary to have a microphone for the ceremony?
It is not necessary to have a microphone in order for guests to hear during the ceremony. The lawn area is intimate enough so that all of your guests should be able to hear. Many couples do choose to have a wireless microphone on the offiate in order to ensure that everything is heard loud enough, or if the ceremony is being videotaped. You or your DJ would be responsible for supplying and setting up a microphone.
Do I need to hire a wedding coordinator or does Highgrove provide me with one?
Highgrove will assign you a wedding coordinator who will help you in the following:
She will be available through email for questions and comments anytime you need, she will meet with you once about 2 months prior to your wedding to cover set-up of your wedding day, timeline of events for the ceremony and reception, ceremony wedding direction, and to answer all Highgrove-related questions. Your coordinator will be at and organize and direct your wedding rehearsal. She will also be at Highgrove for your entire wedding day; from the time you arrive throughout the day to oversee the set-up, answer vendor questions, and to implement your time line (keeping your wedding on schedule and following the order of events that you decided), making sure your day goes off the way you envisioned it.
She will be available through email for questions and comments anytime you need, she will meet with you once about 2 months prior to your wedding to cover set-up of your wedding day, timeline of events for the ceremony and reception, ceremony wedding direction, and to answer all Highgrove-related questions. Your coordinator will be at and organize and direct your wedding rehearsal. She will also be at Highgrove for your entire wedding day; from the time you arrive throughout the day to oversee the set-up, answer vendor questions, and to implement your time line (keeping your wedding on schedule and following the order of events that you decided), making sure your day goes off the way you envisioned it.
