Naming Ceremonies
Welcome a new life, celebrate a fresh beginning, or mark a significant milestone with a ceremony that's filled with love, warmth, and meaning.
What Is a Naming Ceremony?
A naming ceremony is your chance to publicly welcome and celebrate someone—usually a baby or young child, but not always—in a way that feels right for your family. It's the secular, inclusive alternative to a traditional christening, and it offers complete freedom to create something uniquely yours.
You might choose a naming ceremony to:
- Welcome a new baby with family and friends
- Celebrate an adoption
- Mark a change of name
- Include older children in a blended family
- Create new traditions that reflect your values
No religious requirements, no rigid structure—just a meaningful celebration of the people you love.
My Approach
I believe naming ceremonies should be joyful. Yes, they're significant—you're making promises about this person's future, appointing special people to support them, welcoming them into your community. But they should also be warm, relaxed, and full of the happiness that a new beginning brings.
Whether you envision something elegant and formal or relaxed and intimate, we'll create a ceremony that suits your family's style. And if you're not entirely sure what you want? That's fine too. I'll guide you through the options and help you build something that feels just right.
What's Included
From £375
Every naming ceremony includes:
Personal Consultation
- Initial meeting to understand your family and what matters to you
- Detailed planning guide to help you make decisions
- Questionnaire to capture your hopes for your child's future
- Unlimited email support
Bespoke Ceremony Creation
- Completely personalised script celebrating your child and your family
- Opportunity to involve grandparents, siblings, or special friends
- Guide supporters (godparents/mentors) ceremony and promises
- Symbolic rituals if desired (hand/footprint, time capsule, tree planting)
- Readings and music of your choice
On the Day
- Professional delivery of your ceremony
- Warm, engaging presence that makes everyone feel included
- Coordination with your venue if needed
- Presentation certificate (optional)
Keepsakes
- Printed copy of your ceremony script
- Digital copies of all materials
- Suggested readings and music recommendations
The Process
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Initial Conversation
We'll start with a chat about your hopes for the ceremony. Who are you celebrating? What values are important to you? Who do you want to involve?
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Ceremony Planning
I'll send you materials to help you think through decisions—guide supporters, symbolic elements, readings. You fill these out at your own pace.
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Script Creation
Based on everything you've shared, I'll create a ceremony that tells your story and expresses your hopes for this person's future. You'll review it and we'll refine it together.
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The Celebration
On the day, I'll arrive early to coordinate with your venue and ensure everything's ready. Then we'll create a ceremony that's filled with love, laughter, and happy tears.
Who Can Be Included?
Guide Supporters (Sometimes Called Guideparents) These are the special people you choose to play an important role in your child's life—similar to godparents but without religious requirements. They make promises to support, guide, and be there for your child.
Family Members Grandparents, siblings, or other relatives can participate through readings, symbolic actions, or words of welcome.
Friends Close friends can share their wishes for your child or participate in rituals.
Making It Personal
Here are some ways families personalise their naming ceremonies:
Symbolic Elements
- Hand or footprint ceremony creating a keepsake
- Planting a tree that grows as your child grows
- Time capsule filled with wishes and memories
- Rose or flower ceremony with each supporter
- Sand ceremony creating artwork
- Candle lighting ceremony
Meaningful Moments
- Readings from favourite books or poems
- Music that means something to your family
- Letters to your child read aloud
- Wishes from all guests
- Promises from guide supporters
- Special blessings from grandparents
Creative Touches
- Themed decorations
- Memory books for guests to sign
- Photo displays
- Special outfits or family heirlooms
- Cultural or family traditions
Beyond Baby Naming
Naming ceremonies aren't just for babies. They're perfect for:
Adoptions Welcome an adopted child into your family with a ceremony that celebrates your journey to becoming a family.
Blended Families When families come together, a naming ceremony can symbolise unity and new beginnings for all children involved.
Name Changes Whether someone is transitioning, reclaiming their identity, or marking a new chapter, a naming ceremony can honour this significant change.
Older Children If you missed the chance for a ceremony when your child was born, it's never too late to celebrate them now.
Locations
Naming ceremonies work beautifully in:
- Your home (often the loveliest option for intimacy)
- Gardens (yours or a hired venue)
- Community halls
- Hotels or restaurants
- Parks or outdoor spaces
- Family-friendly venues
I'm based around Liverpool and the Wirral but happy to travel throughout the North West and beyond.
Why Choose Me
Genuine Warmth I love the joy of these celebrations. Your happiness and your child's future genuinely matter to me.
Family-Friendly Experience Having been a teacher, I'm completely comfortable with children of all ages being part of the ceremony.
Inclusive Approach All families are welcome—whatever your structure, background, or story.
Stress-Free Process I handle the ceremony details so you can focus on enjoying your celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anytime that works for you! Some families prefer when the baby is a few months old, others wait until toddlerhood, or even later. There's no right or wrong time.