Georgia Parker and Mark Brumback first met at a charity event in Atlanta. Even though they both lived in New York at the time, the two happened to be in town celebrating the black-tie event. The following weekend, Georgia invited Mark to another event in the city, but this time, they accidentally ended up at the wrong venue! Serendipitously enough, the mishap led to dinner, wine, and conversation, marking the beginning of it all.
Mark proposed on The High Line in November of 2022. “On the day of our proposal, Mark tricked me into thinking we were going to an early morning brunch with his parents who live in New York,” Georgia remembers. “As we were walking on The High Line, he popped down one knee and proposed to me! It was such a wonderful surprise!” Both families met the newly engaged couple for brunch in the West Village alongside a surprise of 25 of their closest friends. “We celebrated all day—it was so much fun!”
“Before Mark proposed, we never really talked about where our dream wedding would be, but once he proposed, I knew exactly where I wanted to have it and it didn’t take much convincing for him to agree!” Georgia explains. The couple married in Georgia’s hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, at the same church where her parents wed 30 years prior. “For our reception, we chose Cape Fear Country Club, which is also where my parents had their reception! [It] is right down the street from where I grew up and is very beautiful, so really it was a no-brainer!” Mark’s family hosted the rehearsal dinner and welcome party at The Surf Club in Wrightsville Beach.
As for aesthetics, Georgia named the design her favorite part of the planning process with the help of her mother, planner A. Noble Events & Design, and florist Designs by Dillon. “I probably went on Over The Moon every day for inspiration,” she gushes. “This was one of my favorite parts of planning—getting to spend so much time with my mom, who is so creative and talented and has the best taste. What we ended up coming up with was a ‘Palm Beach Meets Garden Party Chic’ aesthetic. I wanted our aesthetic to have a colorful, fun, preppy, garden party vibe with rattan furniture and colorful flowers that looked like they could have been cut in someone’s garden the morning-of.” Once decided, guests received custom invitation suites by The Printery.
Following the whimsy of the ceremony and reception, the party festivities manicured a new feel. The scene? A New York City nightclub. “We wanted it to have a dark and clubby feel but also wanted to incorporate big palms to make you almost feel like you are in Tulum at Gitano,” Georgia says. “The ‘Party Tent’ was a big surprise factor that was so epic!”
Shortly after her engagement, Georgia made an appointment with Mark Ingram Atelier in search of the dress. “I fell in love with the second dress I tried on designed by Mark Ingram himself!” she says. “I knew it was the one as soon as I put it on. I fell head over heels for it and felt like the dress was meant for me!” From there, Mark and Georgia created a custom cathedral-length veil featuring lace floral details.
“For beauty, I wanted to look elegant, pretty and timeless and my makeup artist and hair stylist knew how to make that happen!” the bride says of her Alice Lawson Salon final look. And finally, she walked down the aisle in Alexandre Birman Clarita Block heels.
On September 9, 2023, Georgia and Mark wed before loved ones. An organist played throughout the ceremony, and after saying, “I do,” the newlyweds exited amidst a choir of cheers and falling flower petals. “As I walked down the aisle with my sweet dad, I saw Mark looking up at the ceiling trying to hold back his tears!” the bride exclaims. “It was so cute as Mark is not one to tear up. The ceremony was my favorite part of the day.”
Although the original plan was to have the reception outside on the club’s back terrace, the rain plan made for an even grander atmosphere. “We had two really beautiful lounge areas with green and white striped valances set up on either side of a smaller dance floor where Mark and I had our first dance,” Georgia notes. “Our band played throughout the reception and dinner in the ballroom and my dad gave a really sweet toast to Mark and me.”
Aperol Spritzes, sunset butterflies, and spicy margaritas made their way around guests mingled. After dinner, the newlyweds cut into their six-tier wedding cake courtesy of Hannah Didrick. Bartenders lit champagne-equipped sparklers and the celebrations took off. InfiniteSoul Band led everyone to the party tent where espresso martinis under disco balls awaited. Georgia concludes, “We jumped on stage and danced the night away with all our favorite people!”
