Swan Ball 2022, a benefit for Cheekwood, is a night to remember
As guests arrived Saturday at Cheekwood Mansion for the 60th anniversary of the Swan Ball, expectations were high. But those expectations were met with a spectacular experience that will certainly be remembered as an enchanted evening filled with surprises.
The white-tie ball, which attracted more than 650 attendees, raises money for Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. The 2020 and 2021 balls were canceled because of the pandemic, so excitement among the society set this year was running extra high.
Arriving through the floral-draped entrance into the grand foyer, guests were greeted by Bailey Mae Anderson in a larger-than-life layered tulle gown trimmed in vibrant florals designed by Johnathan Kayne. The stunning gown was an instant hit, and this was the first of many photo opportunities for ball guests.
See past installments: Swan Ball through the years
Characters and dancers in fantastical costumes appeared throughout the evening, adding a whimsical charm to the cocktail hour as guests mingled throughout the loggia admiring the exquisite floral designs of Alex Vaughn and FLWR, accented with bold floral panel backdrops setting the tone for what awaited guests in the magnificent dining tent on the Swan Lawn.
Under the tent, Ken Fulk, designer of experiences, and his team of “Magic Makers” had conceived of a Swan Ball that would carry the traditions of the glamorous ball into a vivid Technicolor dream. Guests were transported into an outdoor garden bursting with pops of color from floor to ceiling. It was truly a celebration of flowers from the floral paneled walkway leading to the dance floor, to the stunning floral displays centered on tables covered in mossy green custom-made Busatti linens paired with a delicate shade of lavender napkins. Stunning canvas floral panels covered the tent walls while a vivid kaleidoscope of rotating floral images projected onto the ceiling. Completing the ethereal atmosphere at every unlikely turn were eye-catching chandeliers covered in sculptural wisteria, created by Gary Musick Productions.
As guests were seated for dinner, Cheekwood President and CEO Jane McLeod welcomed guests and recognized this year's ball Chairs Mary Catherine McClellan and Elizabeth McDonald, as well as Anne Maradik, Jane Anne Pilkinton and Janette Smith, chairs of the canceled 2020 and 2021 Swan Balls. Mish Tworkowski was recognized with the 2022 Swan Award by McClellan and McDonald.
The scrumptious dinner from Kristen Winston Catering was paired with wines from Lipman Brothers. It began with a salad of tricolored baby beets and fresh mozzarella, arugula, citrus, pistachios, balsamic and edible flowers, paired with Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2020. This was followed by a palette-pleasing filet of beef with herb compound butter, atop fresh corn grits served with haricots verts, portobello mushrooms, zucchini and cherry tomatoes, paired with Napa Smith Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. A frozen key lime mousse with graham crumble and fresh berries was the perfect dessert, light and refreshing.
After dinner, country singer Darius Rucker provided an energetic performance that had guests singing along as they were drawn to the dance floor. After Rucker’s performance, the Simply Irresistible Band provided tunes to dance to until 2 a.m.
Yes, Swan Ball 2022 was a truly enchanted evening that will long be remembered by Nashville’s society set.
Rusty Terry is a native Nashvillian and freelance writer who covers Nashville's social scene. Reach him at rusty.terry79@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Swan Ball returns for 60th anniversary at Cheekwood Mansion
