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.

Wedding Food Trends from the Catering World

From brunches to custom bars, this year’s wedding couples have set a few new trends for wedding cuisine. Here are some of the most commonly requested food trends from our brides and grooms during the past year:

Local Fare: Brides and grooms are asking for their wedding food to come exclusively from local sources. Here in Indiana, we’ve received requests for local meat and cheeses for the appetizers, farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, and local beer, wine and spirits. Globally-conscious couples are choosing locally grown, sourced or organic food, and choosing sustainable materials for their china, such as our bamboo place settings.

Locally-sourced meat has become a trend at Indianapolis-area weddings

Comfort Food: Perhaps giving a nod to nostalgia, many couples choose to serve comfort food to their guests at their receptions and rehearsal dinners. Some of our most recent Indianapolis wedding catered events have included foods such as pasta, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and pie for dessert. Couples are also choosing to serve these comfort foods family-style on long farmhouse tables. One couple even chose cookies and milk in lieu of a champagne toast.

Comfort food - Indianapolis wedding catering — *Comfort food like this grilled cheese with tomato soup is perhaps a nod to a bride or groom's favorite foods.*

Tapas (Small Plates): One modern trend is for brides and grooms to serve bite-sized portions of various entrées in place of one large main course. This allows guests to sample a wide variety of cuisine or keep to a specific wedding theme. We can serve virtually any style of food in this shareable style, so the options are only as small as your imagination.

Visit the Stations: Probably one of the largest trends of the year is serving foods in various stations throughout the room, rather than having a buffet or plated dinner. We’ve seen the traditional charcuterie (meats and cheeses) and crudité (fresh vegetables and dip) but also options such as a baked potato bar, taco bar, a coffee or hot chocolate bar along with various desserts and cocktails.

Entree station - Indianapolis wedding caterer — *This client chose an entrée station with Cedar Plank Salmon, salt selection and twice-baked potatoes*

Whether you’re looking to fit a theme (we’ve seen everything from Mardi Gras to ethnic-inspired themes), color scheme (gold/silver and purple/blush were a hit this year) or cuisine for your wedding catering, we can work with you to accommodate. Simply schedule a session with us to talk about your vision!