A Joyful Celebration: Meghana & Tom’s Celebrant Ceremony at Larmer Tree Gardens
Some weddings stay with you long after the chairs have been packed away and the confetti swept up. Meghana and Tom’s Celebrant Ceremony at Larmer Tree Gardens is one of those days. Warm, thoughtful, full of meaning and laughter, and completely rooted in who they are as people.
From the moment guests began arriving from all over the world, it was clear that this was not just a wedding day, but an experience.
Nestled in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, Larmer Tree Gardens played host to their wedding weekend. A place already steeped in history, celebration and natural beauty became the perfect backdrop for a wedding that honoured tradition while doing things very much their own way.
A Place That Already Held Meaning
Larmer Tree Gardens is one of those venues that feels almost cinematic. Sweeping lawns, hidden paths, architectural follies and the unforgettable Roman Temple, all wrapped up in peacocks wandering as if they own the place.
For Tom, this venue carried personal significance. He had known Larmer Tree Gardens for years, not just as a wedding venue but as a place of music festivals, fun, and moments of freedom and joy. Bringing Meghana into that world, and creating new memories together here, felt incredibly fitting.
As a celebrant, I always love when a couple chooses a place that already means something to them. It adds another layer to the ceremony. On this June day, their love story quite literally became part of the ongoing story of Larmer Tree Gardens.
Setting the Scene for a Wedding Weekend
The celebrations began the night before with a pre-wedding gathering at the beautiful King John’s House on the Rushmore Estate. Guests gathered, many meeting for the first time, others reuniting after long journeys. It set the tone perfectly. Relaxed, generous, welcoming.
There was laughter, storytelling, and that wonderful feeling of anticipation that comes when everyone knows something special is about to happen.
The following day, guests gathered at the gorgeous Larmer Tree Gardens for a balmy outdoor wedding ceremony in front of the Roman Temple. The logistics were seamless, allowing everyone to simply enjoy the experience rather than think about the details and that’s all down to the incredible team who run Larmer Tree.
A Grand Arrival and Floral Magic
Tom and Meghana both made their entrances in the back of a beautiful Land Rover from Dorset Defender. Gorgeous florals were created by the fabulous Willow and Wisps who absolutely dazzled both the ceremony area and the reception in the pavilion. Everything felt considered and intentional, enhancing the natural beauty of the gardens.
The Significance of the Celebrant Ceremony
One of the most meaningful aspects of Meghana and Tom’s wedding ceremony was the way we blended Eastern and Western cultural elements into the ceremony. This wasn’t about ticking boxes or adding things for show. It was about honouring Meghana’s Hindu heritage and weaving it naturally into a celebrant-led ceremony that reflected them both.
We began with the exchange of garlands, a ritual that has been part of Hindu weddings for over 5,000 years. Traditionally known as Jaimala or Varmala, this act symbolises respect, love and the choosing of one another.
What made this moment particularly special was that it wasn’t just Meghana and Tom involved. Their parents joined them, exchanging the garlands on their behalf. It was a beautiful, symbolic way of acknowledging family, heritage, and the support that had brought them to this moment.
There were no spoken vows in this part of the ceremony, yet it said everything. I see you. I honour you. I choose you.
A Love Story
Meghana and Tom’s story is wonderfully modern. Meghana hails from the USA and Tom grew up in the Salisbury area. Both living on opposite sides of London at the time, they met online during the pandemic. Somewhere between Zoom calls, socially distanced walks and carefully planned first meetings, they found something real.
Their first date was easy, conversational and full of curiosity. They talked for hours without noticing the time pass.
As restrictions lifted, their lives intertwined more fully. Early morning pastry queues, art galleries, long walks, SoulCycle classes that pushed Tom well outside his comfort zone, and trips that expanded Meghana’s love of the outdoors.
They introduced each other to new worlds on both sides of the Atlantic. Music, hiking, quizzes, fantasy football, spreadsheets, history, spin bikes and very different interpretations of the English language.
What stood out most as I shared their story during the ceremony was how deeply they respect and cheer for one another. When one succeeds, the other celebrates just as loudly. There is quiet encouragement, genuine pride, and a shared belief that they are stronger together.
The Reading, Personal and Deeply Felt
One of the most touching moments of the ceremony came through a reading written especially for Meghana and Tom by Meghana’s close friend Laura.
Laura had travelled all the way from the USA with her children to be there for the weekend, a journey that perfectly reflected how loved Meghana and Tom are by the people in their lives.
Rather than choosing a traditional reading, Laura wrote something deeply personal, weaving together literary references, shared memories and reflections on marriage as an adventure. It spoke about travel, about rolling with life’s unexpected moments, and about choosing each other again and again, especially when things don’t go perfectly to plan.
It was intimate, thoughtful and a beautiful reminder of the friendships that surround and support this marriage.
The Seven Vows and a Circle of Witnesses
Another deeply meaningful part of the ceremony was the inclusion of the Saptapadi, the Seven Vows from Hindu tradition. Led beautifully by Meghana’s mum, Varsha, these vows spoke of nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, responsibility, shared seasons and friendship.
In traditional Hindu weddings these vows are made while circling a sacred fire. On this day, surrounded by friends and family, the gathered guests became the witnesses. It was a powerful reminder that marriage doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community.
The final vow, to be best friends and true companions, landed especially strongly. The cornerstone of a marriage, and something Meghana and Tom already embody.
Personal Vows, Laughter and Lyrics
After the traditional vows, Meghana and Tom shared personal vows they had written for each other. Equal parts heartfelt and hilarious, they reflected their personalities perfectly.
Tom spoke about choosing each other, navigating wedding planning together, and the joy he feels when he makes Meghana smile. Meghana’s vows were woven with music references, humour and deep love, promising partnership, respect and unwavering support.
There was laughter. There were tears. There was that beautiful stillness that falls over a crowd when everyone feels part of something honest and real.
After the rings were exchanged and the final words shared, we took a moment to acknowledge what everyone had just witnessed. Two people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences choosing one another, not in spite of those differences, but because of them.
With a few final words about laughter, adventure and staying grounded in who they are, Tom and Meghana were invited to seal it all with their first kiss as a married couple. The moment was joyful, relaxed and full of applause, before they were ready to walk back up the asile straight from ceremony into celebration.
Celebrations in the Gardens
After the ceremony, guests were treated to drinks and delicious canapes from the Forking Out team and lawn games in the garden before making their way to the beautifully decorated pavillion for a meal, speeches and evening entertainment.
There was a relaxed joy to the afternoon. Sunglasses, laughter drifting across the lawns, glasses clinking and conversations flowing.
The pavilion later came alive with speeches that balanced wit and warmth, followed by evening entertainment that kept the energy high and the dance floor full.
A Truly Personal Celebrant Ceremony
What made Meghana and Tom’s wedding so special was how clearly it reflected who they are. Thoughtful, curious, warm, playful and deeply connected to their people.
Every element, from the cultural rituals to the music references, from the venue choice to the way guests were welcomed, told their story. This was a wedding designed for connection.
An absolutely incredible day which surprised and delighted their guests from near and far.
The Importance of a Celebrant Ceremony
As a celebrant, days like this are exactly why I do what I do. A celebrant ceremony allows couples to honour tradition without being constrained by it. To tell their story in their own words. To create moments that feel authentic and inclusive.
For Meghana and Tom, this meant blending Eastern and Western traditions seamlessly, involving family in meaningful ways, and creating a ceremony that felt both sacred and joyful.
A Final Thought
Standing with Meghana and Tom in front of the Roman Temple, surrounded by peacocks, parents, friends and a whole lot of love, it was impossible not to feel moved. Their marriage is built on curiosity, humour, respect and deep care for one another.
As they move forward into married life, splitting time between countries, careers, adventures, they do so with a foundation that is solid and joyful.
Larmer Tree Gardens has seen many celebrations over the years. This one will always stand out.
If you’re keen to learn more about what Larmer Tree Gardens can offer you for your wedding celebrations, then join me at their Wedding Showcase on 25th January!
Feedback
We hired Miranda for our wedding ceremony in the summer of 2025 and we’re blown away by her sheer professionalism and know how. It was such a weight of our minds to have Miranda every step of the way. In an area neither of us would have had much of an idea about previously, Miranda not only helped us write the vows but also became a fountain of knowledge on all things on the subject. We never doubted that the ceremony she planned would be anything less than fantastic, and it was even better than that. We could not recommend Miranda enough.
– Tom + Meghana
Photography Gemma Vaughan Photography
Celebrant @mirandathecelebrant
Venue @larmertree
Flowers @willowandwisps
Styling @laurenalexanderblooms
Land Rover @dorset.defender
Catering @forkingout
Stationery @blissandbone
Entertainment @stillmovingdjs
Bride Dress @houseofsavin
Hair + Make Up @amazing_facedorset
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