Oscar Wilde said it best in The Importance of Being Earnest: “Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.” We are social creatures, and we yearn to be invited. I’ve often said the party doesn’t start when the guests arrive. The party starts the moment the invitation graces the mailbox. 

Being a fourth-generation stationer, marrying fine papers and beautiful fonts is in my blood. Smart invitation sets are my weakness. Thick cotton card stock tucked into a perfectly lined envelope dressed with elegant calligraphy speaks an old-school language that never goes out of fashion.

In 2023, patrons of Nashville’s social scene experienced special moments throughout the year, as postal carriers delivered an array of exquisite presents with stamps as their bows. 

Swan Ball

Cheekwood’s invitation to the Swan Ball arrived as a breath of fresh air in the spring. Co-chair Ashley Rosen worked in collaboration with her daughter Kate Rosen and Anna Peebles of You’re Invited Gifts & Paper to craft a stately vision of powder-green card stock and gold calligraphy by Valorie Ward Cole. The set was wrapped in a delicate laser-cut representation of Cheekwood’s entrance gates, refined by Ashley Cole. While you're Invited did the majority of the invitations, the stunning Patrons Party design was done by Tenn Hens Design.

Heritage Ball

September brought the exciting arrival of the Heritage Ball invitation. Event coordinator Amos Gott worked with Ink Nashville to create a stunning clover wrap, crafted from lightweight vellum and adorned with a custom acrylic HF monogram. The gold-foiled invitation held within was a truly special celebration of the 50th anniversary of Franklin’s longest-running black-tie gala.

Symphony Ball

As late fall approached, the Nashville Symphony heralded the Symphony Ball with an invitation set of fine Italian deckled-edge paper ensconced in a custom cranberry pochette sealed with wax bearing an embossed trumpet logo. Production was a team effort between the co-chairs of the event, event planner Bruce Pittman, and Joyner and Hogan Printers. Valorie Ward Cole designed the entire invitation text with custom calligraphy.