Naming Ceremonies
Independent Celebrant Warwickshire
CELEBRATING LIFE
Naming Ceremonies are a perfect way to have a completely personalised celebration for your new or growing family.
We will work together to write a beautiful welcome for your child, including readings, blessings, and promises for the future together.
YOUR Questions Answered!
Here are just some of the questions I am regularly asked about naming ceremonies – if you would like to understand more please get in touch.
What is a naming ceremony?
Traditionally, a Christening or Baptism would be performed to welcome a baby or child into a community.
If you are not religious a naming ceremony provides a personalised alternative for people who do want to do something special to celebrate the arrival of their baby or child in a more meaningful touching way.
A naming ceremony with a Celebrant is a fabulous way to welcome your child into your wider family, and formally name them.
As with all Celebrant ceremonies you can hold your ceremony in your own home, maybe in the garden, a village or town hall or a social club or another venue to suit you.
Why would you have a naming ceremony?
Many of my couples have this type of ceremony to welcome their child into their family and circle of friends.
They have sometimes had issues conceiving and had to go down the IVF route, which makes the arrival of the new addition to their family even more special.
It can also be a great way of celebrating the addition of an older child into a family, for example after an adoption.
What happens during a naming ceremony?
As with all my ceremonies I welcome and introduce the ceremony, telling everyone why we are gathered on this special day.
I then explain what is going to happen and there is usually some audience participation where I ask your family and friends to support and guide you and your child throughout their life.
I can speak about your child, why they are so special to you, their personality and all your hopes and dreams for their future, I also ask the parents to make promises to their child, if they wish to do so.
Within the ceremony we take a moment to speak about the child’s name and the reasons why it has been chosen, and then we formally name your child. Instead of having ‘Godparents’, you can appoint ‘Guide-parents’ to make pledges of support during the ceremony.
The guide parents sometimes write their own promises, read a poem or a favourite book. Many couples like to sign a a certificate as a beautiful momento of the day, it also provides a wonderful photo opportunity and I always create a design to match your theme!!
As with any ceremony we can include a ritual as a wonderful keepsake of your day, maybe a blended sand ceremony, so as older children can feel involved, a tree planting, we can plant seeds or bulbs, light candles, create a wish tree or sign a guest book, the options are endless with a Celebrant ceremony and will all be based around your family beliefs and wishes.