Perfect Inside/Outside D’Angelo wedding

After meeting with Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering staff and visiting the indoor and outdoor facilities at Finley Creek Vineyards, Katherine D’Angelo non-hesitatingly set up her Saturday wedding reception at Finley Creek for one hundred guests.

Nothing very special about that. Except -- that Finley Creek Vineyards has some pretty fabulous exterior and interior expanses to it’s name, which came in pretty handy when planning an event in May. Nice to know you can easily head inside to a gorgeously appointed party barn, or be outside – enjoying natural floral, almost pastoral acreage.

Turns out, Katherine’s day required both. Her wedding ceremony was outside – ending with brief light rainshowers – but preparations had been made, and umbrellas were on hand for all guests.

Once the “I dos” were said, everyone headed into the party barn for cocktail hour, followed by a tasty sit-down dinner, and then a reception lasting well into the evening hours.

Here is Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering menu for Katherine's special day :

BUTLERED HORS D'OEUVRES

Thai Chicken Cigars with Sweet Dipping Sauce
Macaroni and Cheese in Parmesan Cups
Mushrooms Stuffed with Prosciutto and Parmesan

SALAD

Mixed Organic Field Greens with Pecans, Cranberries, Goat Cheese and Champagne or Balsamic Dressing

ENTREE

Tuscan Roasted Beef Strip Loin with Sundried Tomatoes, Fresh Thyme and Roasted Zucchini Gremolata
Balsamic Chicken with Lemon Butter and Goat Cheese Garlic and Chive Mashed Potato Indiana Farmed Vegetables (Seasonal) Rolls with Butter

And for the vegetarian guests, a Traditional Roasted Ratatouille Lasagna with Basil Pesto and Ricotta.

Katherine’s perfect day succeeded without a hitch – despite the light rain – and created a wonderful memory for all in attendance.

Finley Creek Vineyards springs a lovely wedding reception

Mary Ann Harrison and Jared Owen tapped early Spring on the shoulder ...and asked it to reserve a sunny Saturday in mid-March for her wedding reception at Finley Creek Vineyards.

The pre-Spring weather cooperated, and the event space was perfect for the kind of relaxed late afternoon reception the couple had in mind.

The Harrison-Owen reception began at 4:00 PM by welcoming family and friends to Finley Creek's rustic splendor. With an open bar and generous appetizers inside the beautifully decorated Finley Creek barn, guests dipped into sumptuous appetizers:

Three Layer Pesto Torte with crackers, butler-served Mushrooms Stuffed with Spinach and Parmesan Cheese, and an assortment of Mini Quiches.

After everyone had a chance to mingle, a spring buffet dinner was served:

House Salad with Mixed Greens, Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots, Tomatoes and Bacon Bits, topped with Jacquie’s own Champagne vinaigrette
Chef Carved Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream
Chef Carved Pork Loin with Apricot Glaze Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
Assorted Roasted Indiana-grown Vegetables with Olive Oil, Lemon and Fresh Marjoram

There were a few children in attendance, and they were not forgotten. Easy to eat Chicken Fingers, Carrot Sticks, and Fruit Cups were quickly gobbled down.

After a lovely dinner, the bar was re-opened and the celebrating went on into the night as any fun reception should (hello dancing and music in the wide open rustic-chic barn!) The group paused to cut the cake (by Classic Cakes of Carmel) and toast to the new couple. Then back to dancing and a fantastic selection of desserts!

Congratulations to Mary Anne and Jared, and the Harrison-Owen families!

Spring & summer wedding reception ideas

At Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, we love to plan spring and summer wedding receptions. The world is in bloom, warm and in love… such a lavish and bountiful time to get married!

There are also so many, many different ideas and themes to choose from when you are planning a wedding reception in the warm months. We enjoy working with the bride and groom to create the right feel, theme and the vibe for the event – and the ideal food and drink, too.

Here are Jacquie’s spring and summer wedding reception tips on how to bring the lovely color and warmth of the season into your big day:

Have your wedding outside under our gazebo at Finley Creek Vineyards. There will be plenty of flowers all around in our lovely spring and summer gardens. Bonus: You won’t need as many bouquets and flower arrangements. Nature will provide quite a few on its own.
Take your color cues from nature with bright reds, brilliant pinks, and vivid lavender, purples, greens and yellows. Don’t limit your color choices to the wedding tuxes and gowns. Extend the colors to invitations, lighting, bridal bouquets, table centerpieces, and especially, food and drinks!
Foods can be bold or subtle, outrageously spicy or refined. Maybe a little of both. If you want formal, we can go with the classics like standing rib roast, brisket or lamb chops. Or make things bright and off-beat with easy to eat sliders or Szechuan pork barbeque. We can do whatever you want.
The biggest dinner trendwe're seeing right now? Interactive stations. Couples are moving away from a sit-down multiple- course dinner where the food is served by wait staff. Instead, we’re seeing couples add longer cocktail hours and include multiple self-serve food stations. Not only can this be less expensive, but it encourages interaction among your guests. Some station and small plate foods we like? Sliders, chili bars, beef brisket sandwiches, pork tenderloins, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and steak/chicken/veggie fajitas bars.
Get creative and fun with what you wear. Have the bridal group slip into sequined tennis shoes under their gowns -- and high tops under their tuxes.
Evenings get still be cool in early spring. Add heaters along the path to the reception facility. You could also drape comfy blankets over the back of chairs or have a fire pit for later in the evening.
Dessert bars? Everyone’s favorite. Merengues are colorful and yummy. Individual sized cheesecakes, tiramisu, even ice cream cones… be as fun as you want.
Bring the outdoors, in with brilliant spring flowers in centerpieces. Lots of greenery keeps things grounded and fresh. Consider plants in flower pots as giveaways.
How about a specialty coffee bar to go with your wedding cake? Have serve-yourself specialty liquor toppings, fresh whipped cream, and lovely fresh peppermint sprigs as garnishes.
Wedding signature cocktails are fun. Name “his” and “hers” drinks… after your best man, or your college mascot, or your dog’s nickname. Have fun with it. Your guests will love it.

No matter what you choose for your spring/summer wedding reception, let’s meet to get things booked and begin getting a feel for your ideas early. Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering can bring your wedding ideas to life in all kinds of ways, keeping foods fresh and organic, sustainably and locally raised, and always… delicious.

Republic Airlines landed at Finely Creek Vineyards for their holiday luncheon

. The event was festive and fun, with great food and lovely surroundings. Just the thing for Republican Airlines personnel after a bustling holiday travel season!

The Buffet Lunch by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, included a choice of select entrees, two sides, salad and holiday desserts.

The high flying lunch took flight with Spinach and Pear Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette.

From there, guests chose Beef Wellington or Chicken Stuffed with Brie. The Tenderloin of Beef was first class, including Mushroom Duxelle Wrapped in Puff Pastry.

For those choosing chicken, it was a savory marvel -- Chicken Stuffed with Brie, Wrapped with Proscuitto and Rosemary.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes rounded out each entrée, pairing well with Seasoned Farm-to-Table Indiana Vegetables and Rolls.

The fitting end of the meal? The sky was the limit, and calories no problem with Butter Chocolate Mousse Torte. Delicious!

Guests remarked at how lovely the Finley Creek Vineyards barn was for a winter holiday party. Lovely, warm, and bursting with rustic charm! And of course, every party Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering does is perfection from start to finish. Guests enjoyed a “soft landing” at the bar, taking in lots of holiday spirits and camaraderie.