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.
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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At White Ink Calligraphy + Co, we believe wedding design is about more than beautiful details. It’s about creating a cohesive and memorable experience for guests that fully encapsulates our clients’ wedding vision. Kansas and Don’s wedding at Diamond Creek Farm in Nashville was filled with intentional, elegant, and meaningful design moments. As a full-service wedding design house, it was such a joy to bring their vision to life and create custom signage and details for their special day.
Kansas was a stunning bride. Her off-shoulder wedding dress featured long-sleeves and intricate lace details . What I loved even more though, was that the bride is a florist. I absolutely love working with fellow creatives, as they appreciate things like texture, composition, and detail on a deeper level. Kansas brought such thoughtful intention to every element, and together we created pieces that felt refined yet personal.
Custom Ceremony & Welcome Signage
Guests were greeted as they arrived at Diamond Creek Farm by a frosted glass welcome sign framed in gold and featuring soft white calligraphy. There’s something about frosted glass that feels elevated and romantic. The welcome sign was framed by soft florals that further elevated the entire installation.
Displayed at the ceremony was a custom sign reading “Pick a seat, not a side! You are loved by both the groom & Bride.” This simple phrase set such a warm tone and emphasized the value Kansas and Don place on unity and togetherness. We also designed a cloth wedding sign that made for a great photo background for the bride and groom.
The Seating Chart Installation
After a touching ceremony, guests could find their seating assignment from the white seating chart columns. I love the clean, architectural, and timeless design we were able to create with these. For this installation we collaborated with Blue Fish Event Rentals, which is always such a treat. They do amazing work and our partnership allows us to dream bigger and execute seamlessly. The crisp black calligraphy against the white columns felt modern yet classic, perfectly complementing the overall aesthetic of the day.
Elevated Reception Details
The reception design layered texture, color, and movement in thoughtful ways. We designed the acrylic bar signage in a plum color with white calligraphy.
At the tables, white place cards identified each guest’s seat and had ribbons attached in different colors to indicate meal selections-a functional and beautiful addition!
The custom menus we designed featured a black vellum overlay adorned with pink florals and secured by a gold pin that allowed guests to gently spin the overlay upward to reveal the menu beneath. Interactive details like this create a tactile experience, which are always my favorite.
Lastly, stone table numbers brought an organic, textural element to the already beautiful tablescape.
Handmade Paper with Personal Touches
A fun detail we created were the handmade paper displays that featured fun facts about Kansas and Don, which sat at the head table. It’s these unexpected, and fun details that guests remember and truly make the day yours.
Kansas and Don’s wedding is such a beautiful example of what happens when every detail is thoughtfully designed and intentionally placed. From custom signage and deatails to handmade paper goods, every piece worked together to tell a cohesive story and create a memorable experience for all those in attendance.
If you’re planning a wedding in Nashville, or anywhere in the world, we’d love to help you create meaningful, personalized stationery and event details that tell your story. We work with couples worldwide to design details you and your guests will remember forever.
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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From the very beginning, I knew Elizabeth and Ross’s wedding at Southall Farm & Inn was going to be something special. Not only because of the soft, dreamy design they envisioned, but because I had the honor of working with this family once before. I created wedding details for the groom’s sister years ago, and being invited back to work with a family again is truly one of the greatest compliments. Elizabeth and Ross live in New York City, and their wedding brought such a beautiful blend of thoughtful design, book-inspired wedding details, personal storytelling, and timeless elegance to Franklin, Tennessee.
Soft, Dreamy Color Palette & Custom Wedding Invitations
The invitation suite set the tone for the entire wedding weekend. The main invitation featured crisp white paper paired with pale peach calligraphy. It created the soft, romantic, and elegant feel that they wanted for their wedding. Anchoring the design was a custom sketch of Southall Farm & Inn, placed at the bottom of the main invitation as a subtle nod to the stunning Franklin, TN venue where their wedding would unfold.
The wedding details card inverted the color palette of the main invitation making it stand out. The light peach card with white calligraphy added visual interest and dimension to the suite, while still feeling cohesive and refined. The invitations felt airy, romantic, and perfectly aligned with the wedding day vision.
A Book-Inspired Seating Chart
Elizabeth is a book editor, and with the couple calling NYC home, we knew it was important to incorporate literary details. The result was a seating chart that has quickly become one of my all-time favorites!
A wooden bookshelf displayed books wrapped in covers of soft pinks and light oranges. Each spine featured guest names and table assignments hand-lettered in white calligraphy. At the center of the display, a sign read:
“Our story couldn’t be written without your chapter.”
It was creative, personal, and such a beautiful nod to Elizabeth’s career and love of books. Watching guests linger, search for their names, and smile as they took it all in was incredibly special.
More Book-Inspired Wedding Details
The literary theme continued into the reception space, where books were also used as table numbers. Each light-colored book featured a white number on the front, tying seamlessly back to the seating chart design.
At each place setting, guests found custom menus printed on white paper with soft pink calligraphy. The menus sat beautifully atop the elegant tablescapes, adding another layer of softness and cohesion to the overall design.
Guests gathered under the clear tented reception and enjoyed an unforgettable evening, celebrating Elizabeth and Ross while taking in views of the water, the thoughtful details, and the joy of being together.
It was truly an honor to create the invitations and wedding day details for this New York City couple here in Franklin, Tennessee. Being trusted once again by a family I’ve worked with before made this experience even more meaningful.
If you’re planning a wedding in Nashville, or anywhere in the world, we’d love to help you create meaningful, personalized stationery and event details that tell your story. We work with couples worldwide to design details you and your guests will remember forever.
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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The intentional wedding details from Ella and Connor’s Southall Farm & Inn wedding in Franklin, TN was the definition of thoughtful design. Every element was created with purpose. It wasn’t just to look pretty, but to create moments their guests would remember long after the wedding ended. I love that they valued and were all about intentionality. Everything they dreamed up, from a custom bar and dance floor, to bespoke details like interactive guest menus, we were able to create. The best part was that these moments and details felt true to them AND were unforgettable to their guests.
This celebration proved that intentional design truly elevates the wedding experience. If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times, details matter. And this wedding was filled with them. The experience began with the invitations that set the tone. Everything else that followed tied the theme and their vision together.
An Invitation Suite That Set the Tone
First, let’s have a moment for these invitations. With a blind letterpress venue illustration of Southall Farm & Inn at the bottom of the main invite, these became more than just pieces of paper. They created a moment where guests could envision what was to come. We paired the suite with a vellum gatefold, a custom floral envelope liner, and a gold wax seal, creating a layered, tactile experience that felt elevated from the moment it was opened.
Since many guests were staying on property, we also designed custom welcome bags for their arrival. Delivering them turned into one of those behind-the-scenes moments we love most, as I ran into the groom while dropping them off and finally got to meet him in person for the first time.
A Seating Chart With Meaning
The custom seating chart was more than functional; it told a story. The sage green seating chart wall featured gold hooks with tags, tassels and a vintage key. The double-sided tag featured guests table assignment on one side and on the other, was a note to the guest to join the newlyweds for a private after party at a speakeasy. The key on the tag was a subtle nod to the location.
Cocktail Hour Details
For cocktail hour, we designed custom cocktail napkins in a fun tweed print. A fabric bar sign anchored the space, softening the bar design while reinforcing the refined, organic feel of the reception.
Fabric details continued to make a statement throughout the space, including FABRIC TABLE NUMBERS. This was our first time doing these and we are obsessed with how they turned out on the table. The tablescape was already stunning, and these fabric table numbers fit in beautiful with the already natural, elevated setting.
Menus + Place Cards That Stole the Show
If menus set the vibe, calligraphed place cards just elevate everything.
Connor and Ella’s interactive guest menus opened like a gatefold. Then, wrapped around each menu was a calligraphed place card, featuring both the guest’s name and their meal selection, creating a MOMENT for each guest as they sat down. It is these types of personal and intentional details that make an impact on your wedding day. I love that Ella and Connor not only understood that, but made it a major part of their vision.
Congratulations to this amazing couple and thank you for allowing us to create these meaningful details for your beautiful wedding!
Planning Ahead for 2026 Weddings
To all the spring brides, fall brides, and 2026 couples: if you’re dreaming up a tablescape that feels personal and polished, now’s the time to get on our calendar so you’re not rushing in the new year! Intentional design takes time, and the most thoughtful details are never rushed.
Connor and Ella’s Southall Farm & Inn wedding is a beautiful reminder that when design is rooted in intention, the result isn’t just stunning, it’s unforgettable.
If you’re planning a wedding in Nashville, or anywhere in the world, we’d love to help you create meaningful, personalized stationery and event details that tell your story. We work with couples worldwide to design details you and your guests will remember forever.
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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Every wedding we work on is such a different experience and always such a treat to see everything come together. For Anna and Ross’s wedding we had the joy of not only creating their wedding day paper goods and day of details, but also had a hand in designing items for their rehearsal dinner too! I love when we have the opportunity to design items for an entire wedding weekend as it really allows for an immersive experience as details are intentionally woven throughout the events.
Rehearsal Dinner Details
The rehearsal dinner took place at Noelle Hotel Nashville, which is a gorgeous boutique hotel in downtown. A clear welcome sign with a gold frame greeted guests that read “Welcome to the Night Before”. Light blue ribbons tied at the top corners of the sign gave a subtle hint to the colors that would be seen throughout the evening. We also created the seating chart that mimicked the clear welcome sign with a gold frame and blue ribbons. This was a lovely touch and a foreshadowing of the details to come on their wedding day.
As guests sat down to the rehearsal dinner, the tables were decorated with fresh flowers, greenery, and flickering candle light, which made the light blue and white table numbers and place cards we created stand out beautifully. The entire evening unfolded seamlessly and was a perfect prelude to the wedding day ahead.
Elegant Letter-Pressed Wedding Invitations
Their classic, letter-pressed wedding invitations set the tone for an elegant evening. The custom monogram on their Save The Dates and Wedding Programs would also make an appearance on other wedding details we created, creating a cohesive design that we just love!
Their wedding took place at the stunning Richland Country Club in Nashville, TN, which is a beautiful venue with a breathtaking property.
Mirrored Wedding Seating Chart
Their wedding reception featured a three-piece mirrored seating chart. The arched mirrors with gold frames were lettered by hand. A fresh flower display of white, cream, and various pink flowers sat at the base of the seating chart making it an eye-catching display.
Table Numbers
Colorful flower centerpieces decorated the center of each table. The table numbers we designed elegantly completed the tablescape. The white cards with numbers in a dusty blue color were displayed in gold holders tying the look together.
Custom Wedding Favors
Anna and Ross decided on custom drink koozies and matches for their wedding favors. To make them stand out, we put their custom monogram as seen on the invitations and programs on one side of the koozie and match box, and the other side featured their new shared name, The Stitts.
Engraved Cake Serving Set
One of my favorite items from this wedding was the hand-engraved cake serving set, which was a gift from the Mother of the Bride to the couple. The knife was engraved with their names and wedding date, while the cake server was hand engraved with a custom monogram.
Tying all the details together for this wedding weekend was so fun. At White Ink Calligraphy, we love creating experiences for our couples and their guests by artfully weaving threads of the design throughout the weddding day to create a cohesive look.
Congratulations, Anna and Ross, and thank you for trusting us with your wedding invitations and day of details for both your wedding day and the night before!
If you’re planning a wedding in Nashville, or anywhere in the world, we’d love to help you create meaningful, personalized stationery and event details that tell your story. We work with couples worldwide to design details you and your guests will remember forever.
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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