Cook & Food Writer @GeorgieEats & James’s Engagement

Welcome to a heartwarming episode of the podcast, featuring a delightful international couple all the way from London: Georgie Mullin and James Marsh! They joined the show to share the intimate details of their relationship, their surprise proposal, and their incredibly exciting plans for a New Year’s Eve wedding.

Georgie, a talented seasonal focused cook, food writer, and trainee wine expert (you can find her vegetable-led recipes at @GeorgieEats and her debut cookbook, What to Cook and When to Cook It), and James, a market trader and avid Arsenal fan, prove that sometimes the best matches are made with a single swipe.

Their story is a testament to modern romance, beginning on Bumble about four and a half years ago. Their first date was a classic COVID-era adventure: a quick outdoor drink at a pub that promptly rang last orders at 6:30 PM, followed by another swift drink at a second pub.

This quick-moving start wasn’t just due to pub restrictions. James, then in the Navy, was about to leave for a four-month deployment. This looming deadline sped things up, creating an intense, heartfelt connection.

They used their brief time together to fall in love, navigated four months of long distance, and repeated the cycle. After James’s final deployment, they officially moved in together—Georgie even moved into James’s house just three days before he returned! Their relationship has been built on overcoming challenges, including multiple moves, a home renovation, and welcoming their dog, Poppy, into the mix, all before their big move to London.

Despite Georgie’s daily, playful hints about marriage, James managed to catch her completely off guard with a private, at-home proposal on a random Wednesday evening. His timing was impeccable: just days before his own 30th birthday party.

James, who had the ring for only a few hours, proposed in their London balcony garden while Georgie was dressed down in a tracksuit. The newly engaged pair then celebrated with champagne before heading out for a surprise dinner reservation.

The biggest surprise came that Saturday. The couple kept their secret until the birthday party, where, surrounded by all their closest family and friends, James delivered a speech and casually referred to Georgie as his “fiancée.” The shared shock, tears, and joy made it an unforgettable moment, effectively transforming James’s 30th into a surprise engagement party!

Georgie and James are now deep into planning their ideal New Year’s Eve wedding for next year. While they’ve wisely hired a wedding planner to manage the massive undertaking, they have some specific, non-negotiable requirements that are proving tricky for traditional UK venues:

They are currently reviewing a shortlist of venues that meet these needs, with three tours lined up for the coming weekend.

The couple’s aesthetic vision is pure winter romance and drama:

To make the most of the celebrations, they are planning to hold a small, intimate civil ceremony in London with close family a couple of weeks before New Year’s Eve, allowing the main event to be a massive wedding party and reception.

When it comes to the party itself, Georgie and James are focused on a few core priorities: good food, live music, and a late license.

Given Georgie’s expertise, the food has to be a major highlight. Instead of traditional standard wedding fare, they are incorporating a family New Year’s Eve tradition: Curry!

They plan to hire excellent South Asian caterers to serve the meal family-style on the tables, rather than a formal three-course dinner. This choice ensures a memorable, delicious experience for guests. Georgie, who tested all her cookbook recipes on James (nicknamed the “Chief Tasting Officer”!), even shared a favorite recipe from her book: a delicious, dry Cavalo Nero and paneer curry.

James and Georgie are proving that with a clear vision and a commitment to their non-negotiables, they’ll find the perfect setting to dance and celebrate with their 120-150 guests right into the New Year.