Real Weddings
Local Couples Tie the Knot at Area Venues
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The Hunter Museum of American Art
Katherine & Marko Mandić
Photos by Molly Smith Photography
High school sweethearts Katherine and Marko Mandić parted ways after graduating from Baylor School, but fate would bring them back together at a five-year school reunion. After discovering they both were living in New York City, they soon began dating again, and on April 13, 2024, were married at the Hunter Museum of American Art.
“Since Marko and I met and went to school together in Chattanooga, we knew we wanted to get married there. After attending a few weddings at the Hunter, we fell in love with how its indoor and outdoor spaces showcase the beautiful views of the river, mountains, and city. With so many out-of-town guests who had never been to Chattanooga, we knew it was the perfect place to give them a memorable first impression of the city,” shares Katherine.
Both the ceremony and reception were held on the museum’s River Terrace, while a cocktail hour took place inside the museum and gave the Hunter’s team time to transform the terrace. “It was incredible to see how fast they turned it around!” says Katherine.
During the reception, the terrace housed a stage and dance floor surrounded by dining and cocktail tables and lounge seating. On either side of the venue, bars managed by the Hunter served up drinks while a local coffee cart fueled the fun with espresso.
When it came to décor, vibrant spring flowers took center stage and made the venue “feel like a lush spring garden.” Large floral arrangements hung from the ceiling while more flowers lined the aisle, and later, the stage at the reception. Keeping with the garden theme, white and green drapery bordered the venue and romantic string lights twinkled above.
Dinner was served buffet style at a variety of food stations, including Italian cuisine in honor of Katherine’s heritage and signature Serbian dishes from Marko’s home country. For dessert, guests enjoyed tiered cakes – wedding cake for the bride and chocolate for the groom. After dancing the night away to a live band, the couple made their getaway at midnight with a sparkler exit in front of the museum.
How He Proposed: “Marko and I went to Serbia to visit his family during the summer of 2023. We took a weekend trip to Montenegro, and for dinner one night, he took me to a restaurant up in the mountains with an amazing view of the bay. We had dinner and he proposed during sunset.”
