When it comes to designing for industry events, there’s an added layer of intention. Every detail matters, every texture is noticed, and every moment is an opportunity to inspire. At its heart, the evening was about inspiring creativity and making space for vendors to connect, collaborate, and celebrate one another. Needless to say, it was a true honor to plan and design elevated event details for the 2nd Annual Wipa Nashville Gala at 1 Hotel Nashville.
This luxury hotel was the perfect location to hold this epic event. The design brought bold color into the organic environment the hotel is known for, creating an atmosphere that felt both vibrant and welcoming. The theme, Lush Hues and Lavish Views, set the tone for a vibrant, layered, and immersive design experience. At White Ink Calligraphy + Co, we had the honor of bringing that vision to life through the details we created.
Invitations with a City View
The invitation suite introduced guests to the evening before they ever stepped foot inside the space. This is always our goal when creating custom paper invitations for weddings. In fact one of my favorite parts of my job is hearing our clients tell us all the amazing feedback they got from their guests after receiving an unexpected invitation that WOWS. We wanted our industry friends to experience that same dopamine hit wedding guests get when receiving beautiful invitations in the mail.
Let me just say: Goal accomplished! This is why paper is so important. This is why the invitation sets the tone for the event day. Sometimes, you just have to experience it, to get it.
For this event invite, a rich purple backdrop with a delicate white sketch of the Nashville skyline added a refined, architectural element. The event title, Lush Hues and Lavish Views, was written in shimmering silver calligraphy, catching the light in a way that felt both celebratory and elevated. It was the perfect balance of color and fine detail, a preview of what was to come.
The custom cityscape of the Nashville skyline that was central to the event design was included on the invitation, the seating chart installation, and the die cut pocket on the menus. As always, all the artwork was done by hand – not shortcuts here. It was such an honor to bring this theme to life and carry it throughout this event celebrating fellow Nashville wedding professionals.
Menus with a Personalized Touch
At each place setting, guests found menus that doubled as place cards, featuring their names handwritten in calligraphy at the top and tucked into a custom die-cut pocket featuring a sketch of the cityscape of Nashville. These kinds of details invite guests to slow down, look closer, and truly experience the design. These purple menus looked amazing at each place setting.
The tablescapes were a work of art. With stunning floral arrangements, intentional linens, purple glassware, and the royal purple table numbers we created in a fun material, it was a sight to behold.
Fig Shaped Escort Cards and Interactive Seating Chart
One of the most playful and visually striking installations of the evening was the escort card display. Each guest experienced the seating chart installation, walking up the steps to find their escort card amongst the trees. Each escort card was die cut in the shape of a fig, with the guest name and table number in calligraphy. The organic movement of the cards, paired with their unexpected shape, created a moment that felt immersive and artful. The trees framed a large arch display of the Nashville Skyline, which mimicked the design of the bar signage we also created.
Statement Bar Signage
The bar signage featured semi-circle acrylic designs in custom colors that tied seamlessly into the event palette. Each piece incorporated a stylized Nashville cityscape, reinforcing the visual story throughout the space. The curved shapes softened the overall look while still feeling modern and bold, a perfect complement to the venue’s aesthetic.
While guests grabbed a drink at the bar, they could also grab one of the cocktail napkins or matchbooks we designed. For the cocktail napkins, we had two designs. One in a bright green hue that featured the event theme, Lush Hues and Lavish Views, on it, adding a vibrant pop of color. The second napkin design was a soft lavender color that showcased a delicate line sketch of the Nashville skyline, tying back to the invitation suite.
Next to the napkins in a bowl, were the light purple matchbooks that carried the event branding, offering guests a stylish and functional keepsake from the evening. Each element worked together to create a layered, cohesive design story that felt intentional from start to finish.
Custom Onsite Engraving Experience
To make the evening even more memorable, we brought in a live engraving station, which is one of our favorite ways to elevate a guest experience.
Attendees received compact mirrors engraved on-site, creating a personalized keepsake they could take home. Watching the engraving process unfold added an interactive element to the event, while the finished pieces felt thoughtful, elevated, and truly one-of-a-kind.
Immersive Design Experience
The WIPA Nashville Gala at 1 Hotel was a celebration of creativity, community, and elevated design. The Lush Hues & Lavish Views brought in creative design elements that were thoughtfully woven through the day creating an immersive experience for all in attendance. Seeing the joy on everyone’s face as they witnessed the various day-of event details was a highlight. It was truly an honor to be a part of such an amazing event for such a wonderful group of professionals. The wedding industry in the Southeast is filled with incredibly talented people, and I’m so grateful to be part of a community that continues to inspire me every day.
WIPA Nashville Gala Vendors:
Event: WIPA Nashville Gala
Venue: 1 Hotel Nashville
Planning and Design: Becky’s Brides
Gala Photography: Eric and Jamie Photography
Portrait Photography: Tiff Kennedy Photo
Videography: Summer Films
Floral Design: CB Designs
Rentals: White Door Events
Custom Dance Floor Wrap: Southern Event Wraps
Linens: BBJ La Tavola
Table Top: TableMade
Drapery Design: Quest Events
Lighting Design: Encore
Headlining Band: Lovestruck via East Coast Entertainment
Peripheral Entertainment: DBE Artists
Stationery Design and Day of Event Details : White Ink Calligraphy
Skyline Artwork: Mia Bibler
Stationery Printer: Midtown Printing
Fabrication: Butler Scenic Co.
Content Creator: Champagne Social
Hair and Makeup Sponsor: Canvas + Coif
Wine Sponsor: Cool Springs Wine & Spirits
If you’re planning a wedding or event in Nashville, or anywhere in the world, we’d love to help you create meaningful, personalized stationery and event details that tell your story.
Reach out today to learn more about our full-service wedding and event design offerings! We can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
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