Garland Ceremonies Monthly Newsletter: August 2026 by London Celebrant Mair Garland
My August
A final reflection on my summer ceremonies as we officially enter the ‘-ber’ months and the nights start drawing in... This month’s edition features sunflowers and my published letter in The Guardian by this London celebrant!
August Ceremonies: Sunflowers for beginnings and goodbyes
Earlier this year, I planted some sunflower seeds in my front garden and I’ve been so pleased to see them grow and to take a little time to admire them on my way out to ceremonies and home again. A couple of my sunflowers have been, radiated and gone, while I still have a few more that look like they’re coming into bud any day now.
Sunflowers have also been a common thread for some of my August ceremonies, which made me think of how much they offer delight, comfort and memories for all of life’s occasions.
First there was M’s naming ceremony in Berkshire, which followed the height of the August heatwaves. M’s family live in Germany and they first approached me about leading her bilingual French/English ceremony all the way back in January . It was so lovely to finally meet them in person at the AirBnB they’d hired to bring together all their family and friends to celebrate her. This is such a lovely option if you’re looking to host guests but don’t have the room yourself, or if you’re looking for a less formal and more private option than a traditional venue function room.
We had some beautiful promises from M’s parents and guideparents, and her Dad read an extract from the song ‘When I Grow Up’ from the musical Matilda:
"When I grow up, I will be tall enough to reach the branches that I need to climb the trees you get to climb when you're grown up." - Matilda, Tim Minchin
Their chosen ceremony spot was in the shade of a beautiful tree in the garden, which they adorned with sunflowers - with M happily picking off their petals one by one as we were talking about her.
Sunflowers also featured in D’s funeral in Beckenham Crematorium this month. D’s daughter shared a beautiful story about her Mum’s lifelong love of sunflowers in her eulogy, and they were the obvious choice for her floral tributes as well. As sunflowers are a symbol of joy, hope and resilience, they were the perfect choice to remember D.
"Their bright faces, which follow the sun, will listen, and all those rows of seeds - each one a new life!" - The Sunflowers, Mary Oliver
London Celebrant Garland Ceremonies in the Press
Last month I had a couple of very exciting press mentions, with a letter published in The Guardian (my first one ever!) and a Welsh-language radio interview about legalised humanist marriages.
Letter by Mair in The Guardian: Humanist weddings are deeply personal and meaningful
I wrote in to The Guardian in response to an article that was written about humanist wedding celebrants, which I felt was an unfair reflection of the work that we do, and to highlight the forthcoming plans to legalise humanist marriage. Thanks to everyone who took the time to tell me they enjoyed reading it!
And if you haven’t seen it yet, you can read my letter here.
Interview on BBC Radio Cymru: Legalised Humanist Marriages
It was great to speak on the flagship Welsh language radio channel BBC Radio Cymru about my thoughts on the UK Government’s plans to legalise humanist wedding ceremonies in both Wales and England, and I was joined by the family lawyer Esther Ifan. If you speak Cymraeg, you can listen to the programme here and I’ve also translated the interview over on my website blog here.
Preparing for Autumn Ceremonies
While I love the buzz of a summer ceremony, I also love the softness and coziness of an autumn or winter wedding or naming ceremony. I have some gorgeous ceremonies coming up in September, including at the Bromley Arts Centre and a naming ceremony at the Walthamstow Toy Library. I’m also busy putting the final touches (and organising my own logistics!) for A & I’s wedding in South-West France in early October - I can’t wait to see the Dordogne countryside draped in autumn leaves. If anyone has any recommendations for anywhere to visit around Sarlat, I’m all ears!
I’ve had a lovely flurry of ceremony enquiries for the rest of this year and beyond, and it’s been lovely talking to you about your plans. I’ll be increasing my prices on 1st October, but any enquiries booked before then will be honoured at my current prices, which are all on my ceremonies pages of my website.
And that marks the end of a wonderful summer of ceremonies! As ever, I’d love your feedback on the newsletter and if you’re still thinking of planning a ceremony later this year (I still have some availability in November especially!) or in 2027, I’d love to hear from you.
Hwyl am y tro (bye for now!)
Mair x
Mair Garland is an experienced London celebrant, leading weddings, baby naming ceremonies, funerals and celebration of life ceremonies in London, the South East and beyond. Mair specialises in bilingual ceremonies in Welsh and French.
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