ABOUT US
Welcome to Copper Top Acres!
We’re here to help you celebrate life’s most special moments.
As a family-owned and operated establishment, our mission is to provide a unique venue and community space for weddings and special events that embodies the values of family and community. From the moment you step onto our property, you'll experience the warmth and charm that can only come from a family-owned business.
Covering 30 acres, Copper Top Acres is a place we’ve designed to help you celebrate your most cherished memories with ease. We don’t believe in stress before your big day, and we’re here to make things as easy as possible for you every step of the way.
Whether it be weddings, showers, birthdays, holiday markets, pumpkin picking, sweet corn picking, or just to stop in…we hope it’s the place you want to keep coming back to!
Our family is excited to meet yours and host you for all of life's most special events!
From our family to yours, welcome to Copper Top Acres.
OUR STORY
Copper Top Acres is located just 8 minutes west of their home farm, in Phlox, IN. When the Gunnings inquired about this farm in late 2022, they knew this was a right choice for their family to invest in their children’s futures + to chase their dreams.
After a tornado and planting season, they finally signed the papers to purchase in May of 2023.
Before the Gunning siblings bought the property that Copper Top Acres sits on today, the farm sat empty for as long as they could remember. While others saw an old, dusty barn, they saw a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, a place that just needed a little cleaning and some TLC to revive its historic and enchanting atmosphere.
For Abbey, owning an event space has been a long time dream of hers. When the Gunning family heard there was a possibility of buying this property, the two brothers saw a chance to believe and invest in their sister’s dream and they haven’t looked back since.
The Gunning family is a fourth-generation row crop farming family, located in Point Isabel, IN, where their father's great-great-great-grandparents settled in 1871. To this day, their parents continue to live in the house that their great-great-great-grandparents built for their homestead and farm all those years ago.
As a farming family, the Gunnings wanted to jump into something that had a little bit of everything for the family.
Derek is a full time farmer, Wesley is a project manager, and Abbey is a wedding planner and coordinator. Copper Top Acres allows all of the siblings to enjoy what they do best and build a future for the 6 children they have.
“Our family has so many hopes and dreams for this farm. We hope you enjoy coming along this journey with us!”
-Abbey Gunning
OUR CORE VALUES
Family
At Copper Top Acres, family is at the heart of everything we do. As a family-owned business, we prioritize creating lasting memories and building strong connections. From our founders to our team, we treat everyone like family, ensuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.
Community
Community is at the heart of Copper Top Acres. Our goal is to create a space where people can gather, connect, and make memories. We are proud to be a part of the Phlox, Indiana community and contribute to its growth and vitality.
Hospitality
Exceptional customer service and genuine hospitality are fundamental at Copper Top Acres. From the moment you arrive, you'll experience our warm and attentive approach. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized attention and ensuring every detail of your event is handled with care.
WHAT WE OFFER
MEET ABBEY
My name is Abbey and I am the youngest Gunning sibling. This is my sweet, daredevil, loving 5-year-old son, Bentley, beside me.
Bentley just started kindergarten! If you know this ray of sunshine, you know he has a bubbly personality and is never at a loss for words. He loves all things farming, enjoys racing his dirt bike, and loves working with his cousins' sheep and pigs. He is so excited to soon show livestock on his own.
Copper Top Acres essentially began due to my, what some people might call, CRAZY dreams. I am a 2021 IU Kokomo graduate with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management and a business minor. Since college, I've worked in the hospitality industry and as an aide at our local school. I've also kept my foot in the wedding industry by planning and coordinating a few weddings for fun.
In the past few years, I've developed a whole new love for the wedding and event planning industry. So much so that I have somehow convinced my two amazing brothers to join me in the "owning a venue" venture. And that brings us here!
When I say I am elated to bring you all on this journey with us and to share these events, it doesn't even begin to describe it. Thank you all for being here - it means the world.
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS
Meet Our Team
MEET WESLEY
I'm Wesley, the middle sibling in the Gunning family. My wife, Allison, and I live in Fairmount, IN with our amazing daughter, Eva (3), and our lovable dog, Bella.
Back in 2015, I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Construction Management. These days, I work as a Project Manager and spend my free time helping out on our family farm alongside my brother and dad.
Allison, on the other hand, graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2015 with a degree in Elementary Education and Mild Intervention Special Education. She's a superstar at balancing part-time work with taking care of Eva.
Speaking of Eva, she's a bundle of energy! At 3 years old, she's absolutely obsessed with Paw Patrol and Moana. We keep her busy with swim lessons and gymnastics, which she absolutely loves. Summertime is her favorite season because we get to go on boat rides and swim at the lake.
Right now, we're in the process of building our own homestead near our family farm. It's an exciting journey as we put down our roots and create a place to call our own. We couldn't be happier to be back home with our loved ones.
MEET DEREK
Hi, I’m Derek, the oldest of the Gunning siblings!
Let me introduce you to my wife, Dana, and our blended family of six.
I have been a farmer since 2013, dedicating my entire life to the farm. I have a deep connection to the land and unwavering dedication, which has transformed our family farm into a thriving agricultural haven. In addition, I have a degree in Graphic Design and possess an artistic side.
Meanwhile, Dana is originally from New York but was raised in the vibrant state of California. She brings a unique perspective to our family, with her background in workforce management. Dana ensures that our family's schedules are harmonized, allowing each member to pursue their passions while maintaining a strong work-life balance.
Our family is completed by our four children, who embody the spirit of diversity and share common passions. Activities such as basketball, 4-H, football, cheerleading, and gymnastics ignite their enthusiasm and bring us all together. Through these sports and extracurricular pursuits, our children learn important values such as discipline, teamwork, and determination.
Our four children are named Mady, Tate, Ari, and Dominic.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We would love to hear from you! At Copper Top Acres, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and personalized attention to each and every one of our clients. Whether you're ready to book your event or just have questions about our venue, we're here to help.
You can reach us by phone at [insert phone number here] or by email at [insert email address here]. We're also happy to schedule a tour of our beautiful, historic barn venue in the heart of Phlox, Indiana.
Join our family and celebrate your special moments at Copper Top Acres. We can't wait to hear from you!