If we had to sum up this New Orleans wedding in three words, they’d be: elevated, eclectic, and unforgettable. Held at the iconic Race and Religious venue in New Orleans, Louisiana Katie and Derek’s wedding was one for the books. Everything from the fashion to the florals, and of course, the incredible wedding details we had the honor of creating for our couple was just out of this world amazing.
As a Nashville-based wedding photographer herself, the beautiful bride, Katie, knew what she wanted when it came to her wedding aesthetic. We were beyond flattered when she chose White Ink Calligraphy to design her custom invitation suite and day-of details. She brought such a fun, bold energy to the planning process, and her vibe translated beautifully into every design choice.
Bold and Fun Custom Wedding Invitation Suite
I’m just going to say it: this was our favorite invitation suite of the entire year! Every piece told a story, starting with the main invitation in bright, fun yellow that featured an illustration of an olive, which was an adorable nod to the bride’s sweet pup whose name is Olive. Personal touches like this are what take wedding paper goods to the next level, and this suite had plenty of them.
The RSVP card doubled as a vintage hotel key, complete with a sketch of the venue on one side and a QR code on the other for guests to easily reply. A blue card cut in the exact shape of the pool at Race and Religious was another favorite element of ours from this custom invitation suite. Each piece of the suite featured a different bright and bold color that had a tropical feel.
The final component was a green envelope with palm tree liner. Before ever opening the invitation, guests got a glimpse of what was to come with an illustration of alligator on the front, and stamps that provided subtle hints to the wedding’s Louisiana location. The entire suite was thoughtfully curated and unapologetically fun, just like the bride herself. It’s also such a wonderful example of setting the tone for a wedding and providing fun surprises for guests.
Bold Day-of Details with a New Orleans Twist
We kept the personality going strong with equally creative and unexpected day-of details. When you hear New Orleans, you think of Mardi Gras, and we wanted to lean into that a bit. To incorporate a little Mardi Gras flair, we used Mardi Gras beads for the seating chart. Guests found their tables by locating Mardi Gras beads hanging on the venue’s iron gate, with their name and table number attached to each strand. So NOLA. So FUN. This was such a hit and everyone wore their Mardi Gras beads all night!
NOLA Wedding Ceremony and Reception
This wedding was a tropical dream! After a stunning ceremony by a pool surrounded in florals and palm trees, guests gathered on the patio for cocktails. A fabric bar sign listed the different drinks available adding texture and movement to the space, which we love! This one tied the whole cocktail setup together with gorgeous florals sitting on top of the bar framing the fabric sign.
The tablescapes at the venue were just beautiful. The florals were stunning with pops of bright pink and orange. At each place setting were the playful menus we designed shaped like palm trees. Oyster Place Cards were also at each seat as a nod to local flavor and southern charm, adding an elegance to the setting.
From the smallest element to the biggest moments, every detail celebrated the vibrant spirit of New Orleans while staying true to the couple’s personal style.
At White Ink Calligraphy, we believe your wedding should reflect you. This wedding was a perfect example of what happens when a couple fully leans into their style and vision by choosing details that are both meaningful and fun. Bringing this wedding day to life in the vibrant city of New Orleans was such an honor and so much fun. We’re still not over it! Katie and Derek’s wedding is definitely one we will always remember!
If you’re looking to add custom, thoughtful touches to your wedding or event, we would love to help make your vision a reality. Reach out today to learn more about our full-service design offerings—we can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
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At White Ink Calligraphy, we love when couples and planners trust us to have fun with design! This Saint Elle wedding in Nashville was no exception! The incredible Sarah Oakland worked her magic, and gave us the creative freedom to incorporate fun, bold colors. In addition to the bright colors, the personal touches and mix of trendy and traditional wedding details made this wedding truly one-of-a-kind.
As we were setting up in the morning, we overheard the father of the bride introduce himself to a vendor by saying, “I’m the father of the bride—last name Swift, like Taylor Swift, but not related.” It was such a cute and memorable moment that perfectly captured the joy and excitement of the day. The bride and groom were brimming with happiness, as were all the guests who shared this special day with them.
A Vibrant Seating Chart with a Personal Touch
One of our favorite elements of this wedding was the seating chart wall, which featured envelopes in a striking “Sour Apple” green shade. The bright pop of color added energy to the event and drew people in as they walked by. It was also the perfect complement to the varying shades of green woven throughout the wedding design.
However, there was one personal touch that made this seating chart extra special. Inside each green envelope, where guests could find their table number, there was also a handwritten note from the bride and groom. This incredibly thoughtful detail left a lasting impression and made every attendee feel extra appreciated. These are the details that make a huge impact on your day, and when they are seamlessly incorporated with your overall design like this, it is pure perfection.
Mixing Modern Trends with Timeless Elegance
We always love finding ways to balance current trends with classic design, and this wedding was the perfect opportunity to do just that. The seating chart wall featured a sophisticated custom wallpaper, bringing in a timeless element, while the guest cards and table numbers had a modern, red squiggle border design that felt fresh and playful. The contrast of these styles created a look that was both elegant and fun.
Wedding Signage and Details
As guests arrived at Saint Elle, they were greeted by a beautiful mirror welcome sign with white calligraphy, setting the tone for the celebration to come. White Ink Calligraphy also created the green bar sign with white lettering, similar to that of the envelopes on the seating chart. The soft, muted florals found in the wedding party bouquets and arrangements at the reception balanced the brighter green wedding details and the pop of red on the table numbers and guest cards.
We were honored to be a part of this gorgeous Saint Elle wedding. From the vibrant green seating chart to the personal touches and stylish design elements, this wedding was a great example of how to mix modern and classic elements to create a beautifully designed event.
If you’re looking to add custom, thoughtful touches to your wedding or event, we would love to help make your vision a reality. Reach out today to learn more about our full-service design offerings—we can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
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This stunning, elegant Hermitage Hotel wedding was our first wedding to kickstart 2025, and this was definitely one for the books. What a great way to start our year off. Every detail was elegant, classic, and just overall perfection, especially when paired with the amazing venue and the florals of the day. The fabulous vendor team we had the privilege of working with also elevated this entire wedding experience. The talented Joanna Lewis of Siena & Co. planned this beautiful wedding, executing everything to perfection. Kéra Photography did the honor of capturing all our detail shots. They are stunning and I’m so excited to showcase all the different details that went into this wedding!
Elegant Wedding Details: The Invitation Suite
We produced all of the stationer items for this day-everything from wedding invitations to the day of details. The wedding invitation suite was a masterclass in effortless elegance. We kept it classic and in line with the vision of the wedding using black letterpress calligraphy. The custom envelope liner included a nod to The Hermitage Hotel’s stunning ceiling, which was such a fun and unique detail that tied everything together. The bold black envelope added just the right amount of drama and was a preview to the timeless black accents that were to come. Of course, we made a beautiful, thread-it-all-together moment when the spot calligraphy carried through to the wedding day signage.
Bold, Black Ribbon Details
I was onsite working this wedding from the start of the day until ceremony start time. I wanted to ensure the seating chart was flawless and the bows on each table place setting were perfect. The black ribbon bows were incorporated into various moments throughout the day. At the ceremony under the beautiful ceiling that served as inspiration for the envelope liners, reserved chairs for the bride and groom’s family and bridal party were identified by black ribbons with a white tag that had each guest name in calligraphy.
More classic, black ribbons were used as place cards and tied to the custom menus at each place setting. Hand lettered hot foiled calligraphy in gold stood out on each bow with each guests’ name, which coordinated with the custom seating chart. I absolutely love the end result! Let’s make this a trend for 2025!
An Elegant Seating Chart
The seating chart was a masterpiece! The gold vintage framed mirrors in different styles and sizes hung on a display wall. This served as a functional focal point for guests to locate their table number and seat. Each guest’s name was written on the mirrors in white calligraphy and the entire display was accented with gorgeous florals that carried on throughout the reception.
From the custom bar sign, a welcome sign that cohesively tied in the seating chart, custom napkins, table number signs and all the stationery in between, this wedding was so much fun to work on. I love the classic, elegant aesthetic of this wedding, as well as the talented Nashville vendors I had the joy of working alongside! If this is how 2025 started, I can’t wait to see what is to come!
If you’re looking to add custom, thoughtful touches to your wedding or event, we would love to help make your vision a reality. Reach out today to learn more about our full-service design offerings—we can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
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To close out an incredible year, White Ink Calligraphy + Co. attended the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) Gala in Nashville. This exciting annual event brings together local wedding professionals to celebrate, connect, and reflect on another successful season. WIPA hosts events throughout the year that encourage learning, networking, and growth. However, the gala is all about celebrating—and we were thrilled to be part of it!
Nashville WIPA Gala: A Night to Remember
The gala took place at the stunning Virgin Hotel Nashville on December 8th, right after our last event for the year, which meant we were excited to celebrate the end of the year! As active members of WIPA, it was an honor for my team and I to attend the gala as guests but also to contribute to the event’s details. Townley, White Ink’s stationer, and I enjoyed a well-deserved night out, surrounded by familiar faces and fellow wedding industry creatives.
Everyone arrived dressed to impress, and the red carpet entrance set the tone for a glamorous evening. Photographers captured guests as they arrived, framed by a striking red draping and exquisite florals designed by the incredibly talented Rosemary & Finch—a perfect backdrop for portraits.
Our Red Carpet Looks
Townley and I made sure to embrace the occasion with stylish outfits from The Showroom Nashville, owned by one of our past brides, Kristen Geyser. Townley’s dress, adorned with golden stars, was a nod to the Tennessee flag, while I chose a sparkling ensemble. We even treated ourselves to hair and makeup by the amazing Katie-Laine Thornton, making the night feel extra special!
The heART of Nashville: A Celebration of Artistry
The theme of this year’s gala, “The heART of Nashville,” with an emphasis on Nashville ART, to celebrate the city’s rich artistic culture. We had the honor of crafting custom stationery pieces that reflected this theme in a creative and meaningful way.
The Seating Chart
We elevated the seating chart design by incorporating handmade paper for calligraphed guest names, all mounted on a backdrop lined with leather, creating a sophisticated and tactile experience. Next to each piece of paper were Silhouettes of different Nashville artists that served as another table identifier.
Place Cards + Menus
Leather was also used for the place cards. Our signature white ink calligraphy was elegantly displayed on leather place cards resting atop each menu. Inspired by the classic Hatch Print style, our menus added a touch of vintage Nashville charm to each place setting.
Unique Table Numbers
Lastly, the table numbers came from Tennessee limestone and featured silhouettes of Nashville artists, tying in beautifully with the seating chart design, where coordinating silhouettes were placed next to the handmade paper list.
A Perfect End to 2024
From the delicious food and cocktails to the lively dancing and wonderful company, the WIPA Gala was truly a night to remember. It was the perfect way to reflect on another successful year. We are so grateful for the wedding community in Nashville and beyond, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2025 brings!
If you’re looking for custom, one-of-a-kind stationery and calligraphy details for your wedding or special event, we’d love to bring your vision to life. Reach out today to learn more about our full-service design offerings—we can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
This year we started off a busy fall wedding season with White Ink Couple, Ashley and Austin, at the iconic Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. This unforgettable, art nouveau-inspired wedding did not hold back when utilizing details, pulling in colors, and interlacing style and texture throughout the entire event. White Ink was there for ALL of it!
We rolled up our creative sleeves and worked to help bring Ashley and Austin’s elegant vision into focus. We wove together poignant characteristics from The Hermitage Hotel’s architecture along with the flowing geometric styles and muted colors of the booming art nouveau movement were incorporated into all the important details of the day.
This was an unforgettable experience for the our team and we are delighted to finally get to share this day with you!
Art Nouveau- Did you know?
Art Nouveau or “new art” was a movement that gained popularity from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. According to the The Art Story’s website, “Art Nouveau was aimed at modernizing design, seeking to escape the eclectic historical styles that had previously been popular. Artists drew inspiration from both organic and geometric forms, evolving elegant designs that united flowing, natural forms resembling the stems and blossoms of plants. The emphasis on linear contours took precedence over color, which was usually represented with hues such as muted greens, browns, yellows, and blues.” www.theartstory.org
This invitation suite was designed to reflect the timeless details of the wedding venue. We custom-designed the envelope liner to include that classic, art nouveau look. Muted greens and yellows rested perfectly together with a focus on the natural beauty of white birds and the liners’ harmonious shapes and lines.
One notable detail within The Hermitage Hotel is a hand-painted bird theme throughout the guestrooms and suites. The idea to include birds in the custom envelope liner was a purposeful and beautiful way to connect the invites to the venue.
The ornament framing around the rsvp and details cards was meant to mimic the ornate frames and trim work throughout the hotel. This invitation suite was truly the ultimate ‘sneak peek’ for Ashley and Austin’s guests of what was to come!
A wedding welcome sign is multifunctional, especially if it is mirrored. Event signage, in general, is a seamless way to provide guidance for your guests as they enter the venue space. It adds to the tone of the space without stealing the show. It’s also a fantastic way to showcase the theme of your big day.
Ashley and Austin chose to use our floor-length, Bourdeaux, gold-framed mirror with minimal ornamentation. It was the perfect sign to bring just enough attention. Even in a vintage, art nouveau-themed wedding, small details can go a long way. Giving guests a quick opportunity to check their reflection is a welcomed added bonus!
Our couples often use seating charts and escort wall displays as an opportunity to showcase their wedding day theme in a big way, and I am HERE for it!
Ashley and Austin trusted White Ink to create a custom wallpaper to serve as the backdrop for this one-of-a-kind escort wall display. We kept with the art nouveau theme by focusing on natural elements, like leaves and flowers with a soft brown and white. The oval escort cards were individually hooked to the display and boasted a thick yellow tassel to replicate a vintage hotel key. How cute are these?
This stunning muted blue frame with gold ornamented trim was the perfect addition to our custom bar sign. It fit in with theme so seamlessly. The cocktail hour bar sign was a beautifully subtle addition to help carry the art nouveau theme by pulling in those soft hues and bold fonts.
Details like these are so much more than signs and menus, they provide a pivotal role in a carefully designed event. These little details leave a lasting impression and are something guests appreciate.
I could stare at these custom die-cut menus and place cards for hours. Guests enjoyed many day-of details that these little guys boasted. Much of the day’s style, colors, florals, and designs can be found right here in the artfully designed paper details.
A place card sat atop each menu, connected together with a soft, vintage, yellow chiffon ribbon. The same yellow ribbon could also be found on their invitation suite. I especially appreciated the functionality of the color-coded blooms on the place cards, which served as the meal indicator. Absolute perfection.
White Ink carried the vintage frame design from the invitation suite, rsvp, and detail cards to create Ashley and Austin’s table numbers. Table numbers don’t have to steal the spotlight in order to be a memorable part of a stunning tablescape.
The best way to tie in wedding theme details throughout the day is by pulling in designs just like this. Our couple also decided to use the vintage, wreath table number base from our extensive wedding rental collection. As you can see, it was the perfect choice!
Ashley and Austin came to White Ink with an elegant, vintage, art nouveau-inspired wedding vision. It was an honor to take on the task of bringing their vision to life. Taking in the approving whispers and smiles of the bridal party and guests is an unforgettable feeling. It is at the heart of why we do what we do. We love seeing the faces of our couples and their loved ones light up when they see their wedding dreams become a reality. We can’t wait to do it for you!
If you’re looking to add custom, thoughtful touches to your wedding or event, we would love to help make your vision a reality. Reach out today to learn more about our full-service design offerings—we can’t wait to create something unforgettable for you!
