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Swan Ball 2025: Nashville brings glamorous gowns and gussied-up guests, see our best photos
It was with great anticipation that guests for the 63rd Annual Swan Ball arrived at Edwin Warner Park to enjoy an evening benefiting the Friends of Warner Parks, and they were not disappointed.
Co-chairs Melanie Baker and Laura Niewold, working with Dori Thornton Waller of The Social Office, left no detail unattended.
The doors to a stunning glass Atrium were opened by members of the Swan Ball Dance Committee as ladies in gowns and gentlemen in white tie and tailcoat suits were offered champagne or a favorite cocktail along with passed appetizers from Kristen Winston Catering.
Guests perused the eclectic jewelry from Swan Ball Jeweler Sidney Garber, where the first Swan Award, presented to Swan Ball founder Jane Anderson Dudley in 1970, was on display. (I admit here that I was unaware of the significance of the extraordinary award and actually commented that the gold swan with emerald eyes was my favorite piece…who knew!)
The park, visible through the glass tent, provided a perfect backdrop as the evening began to blossom.
As the dinner bell rang, guests moved into the dining room, centered by a magnificent tree laden with various shades of pink cherry blossoms.
The tables were adorned with pink and white linens and anchored in the center with elegant pink florals from Jim Knestrick/Knestrick by Design, bringing oohs and aahs.
It was, well, just breathtaking!Guests were seated to a summer cheese plate of Delice de Bourgogne, strawberry preserves, berries, buttered pecans, butter lettuce, and greens served with a vinaigrette and toasted baguette.
Swan Ball Initiative, Inc. co-chairs Kathryn Carell Brown and Elizabeth Litterer Nichols welcomed guests and presented the 2025 Swan Award to philanthropist, jewelry designer, and art patron Brooke Garber Neidich.
Brown and Nichols also thanked co-chairs Melanie Baker and Laura Niewold for their dedication to the ball, presenting them with a gift of appreciation.
The evening continued with a dinner of filet of beef with French fingerlings and corn sauté, asparagus, and sugar snaps in maître d'hôtel butter.
Lawrence Wine Estates provided the wine pairings, a 2019 Burgess Burnside Road Chardonnay and a 2018 Burgess Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon.
Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate brandy sauce completed the meal.
After dinner, guests headed to the dance floor as they awaited Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle, and at age 81, she still has that golden voice.
I must add here that I had the opportunity to see LaBelle, as they say, back in the day (circa 1983) when she was at the top of the Disco Charts.
My friends, she still has it and did not disappoint!
Following LaBelle's performance, Blue Rhythm took the stage, energizing the crowd as guests continued to dance into the early morning hours.
The 63rd Annual Swan Ball, A Legacy Blossoms, brought Nashville's Spring Social Season to a close, with all the grandeur and elegance ball guests have enjoyed since 1962.
While the venue and the beneficiary of the Swan Ball have changed, the Swan Ball remains the Grand Dame of Nashville's social scene.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Swan Ball in Nashville: See photos of Friends of Warner Parks benefit
