Derby at the Dock | WIPA Nashville Kentucky Derby Inspired Event at Cherokee Dock

by ClaireWhite | May 28, 2025 | bar, Signage, Welcome Signs

This past spring, WIPA Nashville, short for Wedding Industry Professionals Association, hosted an amazing event for WIPA members. These quarterly events allow us fellow wedding professionals to celebrate each other, learn more about boosting our businesses, and make lasting connections. This spring networking event took place at the beautiful Cherokee Dock, bringing together some of the most talented wedding and event pros in the region! The theme was a Kentucky Derby-inspired event, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! WIPA Nashville’s Derby at the Dock was one for the books! I was honored to attend alongside my incredible team, Townley and Emily, and even more thrilled to contribute some fun, standout details to help bring this event and the Derby theme to life.

WIPA event at Cherokee Dock in Nashville

Welcoming Guests in Style

We wanted our fellow vendors to experience the fun interactions that our clients are loving right now, so we kicked things off with a cocktail pass-through wall. As guests arrived, they were greeted with a refreshing welcome drink handed through the wall, which is such a fun way to start an event! Everyone enjoyed this interactive installation and understands why they are so popular. I I have no doubt we will continue to see these at our future events!

Champagne installation | Welcoming drink pass through from Kentucky Derby Inspired Event

hand passes out champagne through a hole on wall

Kentucky Derby Inspired Event from WIPA Nashville

The Bar Signage

We contributed the custom bar signage, created with a mix of layered dark and light blue paper mounted on a soft blue, Southern-inspired floral pattern. My favorite detail was the bold 3D lettering that spelled out “THE BAR” running up the side. This fun, yet elegant detail is exactly the kind of thing we love dreaming up for weddings and events!

southern blue bar sign by Nashville calligraphy and stationery studio

WIPA Nashville Quarter two event at Cherokee Dock

Horseshoes & Hospitality

We kept the Derby theme going strong with horseshoe food signage that highlighted the event’s delicious menu in a unique and thematic way. These signs served a functional purpose while also adding a nod to that classic Derby vibe at each food station.

food signage featuring horseshoes at Kentucky Derby Inspired Event

Derby at the Docks Nashville event for WIPA

There were so many other details that made this event standout, from the horse vase centerpieces holding beautiful spring blooms, to the elevated Southern fashion worn by attendees, the entire event was so thoughtfully designed. It was a joy to create a few of the special touches that helped weave the story together and spark inspiration for our fellow creatives and planners.

Kentucky Derby Inspired Event with horse vases as centerpieces

spring event at Cherokee Docks, Derby at the Dock

Kentucky Derby Inspired Event in Nashville

Events like this don’t come together without a powerhouse team of vendors, and it was truly an honor to work alongside some of Nashville’s finest. Not to mention all the connections made throughout the evening. A big thank you to Let’s Do This Events for the incredible planning and design, and to WIPA Nashville for putting together such a meaningful gathering for our community. I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing and inviting group of professionals that are really more like family.