Life is blooming here at Finley Creek!

The grounds of Finley Creek Vineyards is every bit as glorious and charming as the interior of our Wedding Barn. That is especially wonderful to consider if you are looking for a place to hold your late spring or summer wedding reception.

Because Finley Creek Vineyards is just outside of Northwest Indy in lovely Zionsville, our property is private and lush, well away from the hubbub of suburban and city life.

We are always looking for new ways to add to the ambience of our beautiful grounds. Last year, we added two beehives way in the back – away from our buildings – to help keep our planned flower and vegetable gardens fertilized, healthy and thriving.

This spring, we are planting hosta, astilbe, anemone, hellebores, foam flower, coral bell, and stargazer lilies around our stately oak trees.

Not only will the flowers smell amazing during outdoor events and receptions, but they will look stunning, too. We chose flower varieties with flower timing in mind, so there will always be something in bloom no matter what early spring or late summer month you choose for your gathering.

Finley Creek Vineyards will have a grape arbor, too. Those plantings will go in soon, as will new vegetable gardens. The bees will be happy …and busy. Soon, we’ll be harvesting honey from the flowers’ nectar as well!

Also new this year at Finley Creek – a lovely outdoor stone fireplace – perfect for intimate gatherings around evening bonfires.

There’s a lot to like at Finley Creek, both inside and outside. We invite you to come visit this exclusive Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering venue. Whether you plan your event for inside or out -- or both -- we know you are going to have a delicious and memorable time!

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!

10 tips on what to know before you set your spring/summer event

It’s tempting to consider choosing an event location you love and then, wrap the menu around all your favorite foods. But – party planning experts say when you truly consider your guests’ preferences over your own, your event will be more successful.

At Finley Creek Vineyards, we have a list of questions we ask event planners, family planners and brides as we begin to plan each event.

Here’s what to consider from the event experts at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, the owner/managers of Finley Creek:

Is your group more casual or more formal? Family or corporate?
How far would attendees be comfortable traveling from home or office?
Is your event going to be outside or inside – or both?
What is your budget?
How important is the vibe (upscale, folksy, urban contemporary, trendy, barn chic, etc.)?
What type of food would appeal to most you are inviting? Consider vegetarian and child-friendly options.
Is this going to be a seated formal meal, or serve-yourself with lots of options?
Do you want an open bar, beer and/or wine, or “special occasion” drinks?

Some of these are more obvious, but others are questions you may not have considered yet. It’s important to gain some perspective on your guests so they will feel comfortable at your event. Once you have established the main-frame objectives, you can begin to move on to the fun – impressing your guests.

The most memorable events at Finley Creek all did the following:

The event location was right for the crowd. Venue size is key – not too big or too crowded.
Had a contingency plan in case it rains.
Set up bar and food table traffic flow in advance. Nobody wants to stand waiting for a drink for 15 minutes.
Arranged for convenient and adequate parking.
Set a theme – from color to food choices to décor.
Added a few unexpected touches to delight guests get talked about.
Never run out of food. This is a cardinal rule at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.
Made sure food was delicious, looked fantastic, and was served at the ideal temperature.

At Finley Creek, Jacquie's Gourmet Catering strives to iron out as many details as possible ahead of time. It’s never too early to start planning your next event! Let's talk.

Specialty holiday cocktail? Great idea!

At Finely Creek Vineyards, we love creating themed signature holiday cocktails – and boy, do we ever have some great ideas for your next holiday event!

Specialty or signature cocktails are a great way to kick off a corporate holiday party or fun wedding reception. And Jacquie's Gourmet Catering can make an original drink that expresses something about your event, the culture of the organization or the nature of the couple in the wedding.

Sometimes we theme the drinks these around a color (such as your logo colors) and sometimes around the personalities of the couple being honored. (And yes, we are always happy to make alcohol-free versions for your guests who don’t drink.)

For the holidays, we have no shortage of ideas! Give us your theme, and we’ll come up with all kinds of ideas. You choose the ones you prefer. Or let us know your favorite liquor, and we can build it around that.

Jacquie's Gourmet Catering team is amazingly creative when it comes to preparing drinks in with artful added edible garnishes – from flowers to herbs, stacks of fruits or veggies, cinnamon stirrers to edible swizzler sticks.

For wedding receptions, we can name a drink for the family of the bride, the groom’s nickname, a nod to how they met, the name of their dog, an inside joke – even their honeymoon destination. It’s just as fun to name the drink as it is to create it!

Here’s the bonus: You won’t need to pay for an open bar if you offer a signature cocktail or two, plus wine and beer. You have the feel of an open bar without the cost. Great (and painless) cost-cutter!

Let Jacquie’s team help make your next event one to remember with fantastic fresh organic edibles – and a fabulous signature cocktail or two. Cheers!!