Have you ever wondered what a Naming Ceremony is? Often referred to as a Baby Naming. These ceremonies are a delightful way to celebrate and welcome a newborn baby, children or older children into your family. In this blog, I will answer your questions and curiosity about Naming Ceremonies.
What is a Naming Ceremony?
What is the difference between a Naming Ceremony and a Christening?
Why have a Naming Ceremony?
What does a Celebrant do in a Naming Ceremony?
What is a Naming Ceremony?
A Naming Ceremony is a beautiful alternative to a Christening. Basically, a Naming Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the children in your life, a perfect expression of the significance and power of the name you have chosen to give them. To celebrate their individuality, providing a sense of identity, a name which defines them, a chance to recognise the child and offer them lifelong love and support. Your child/children can be any age to have a Naming Ceremony. Personalisation is used to reflect your values and beliefs and commitment, welcoming children into your life and the lives of you’re extended family. Naming ceremonies are tailor-made to fit with your family’s unique style, your ideas, creativity and inspiration make for a perfect celebration.
What is the difference between a Naming Ceremony and a Christening?
You may want a Christening but do not belong to a church or aren’t religious. Some couples choose to have a Naming as part of there Wedding Day. A Naming Ceremony can be held anywhere in your home, garden, park or special place that holds significance to your family. All your VIPs are present, and a blended celebration can be unique and poignant.
A Christening service is primarily a service focused on making a commitment to teaching the child about the faith you have, making promises to bring them up according to that faith and religion. Whereas a Naming Ceremony focuses on the child reflecting the family’s wishes, hopes and dreams, this is carried out in a formal or non-formal way, ensuring that the Naming Ceremony is personalised your way. You can incorporate elements of your faith, beliefs and values. A treasured item like a Christening gown, handed down through the generations, can still be used, and the history and legacy of family members honoured whichever way you choose.
Why have a Naming Ceremony?
A Naming Ceremony is a beautiful way to officially acknowledge and welcome a child into a family. At a Christening, Godparents are chosen, and participants are usually active confirmed church members. They make promises and commitments to bring up the child in their faith. Whereas, during a Naming Ceremony, you may wish to invite all those nearest and dearest to make promises and commitments, regardless of age or religion. Often called guardians, teachers or guides, individuals are asked to accept their role in the child’s life. Focusing on the child and their parents, expressing the parent’s hopes and dreams, offering long term support.
A celebrant-led Naming Ceremony is full of imaginative ideas and suggestions with a formal or relaxed celebration of your precious additions to the family when it comes to creative expression.
What does a Celebrant do in a Naming Ceremony?
Once you are decided on a naming ceremony for your newborn baby, child, toddler, older or adopted children. You will need to find a confident celebrant, a great listener who writes bespoke ceremonies from their heart. Someone who brings to life your vision and dreams for you’re Naming Ceremony. They guide you, inspire you and involve you every step of the way. You’re naming Ceremony is written focusing on you and your child, encouraging all your nearest and dearest to be involved. Personalising the Ceremony especially for you, incorporating your style, using your beliefs, including any religious or non-religious elements using some symbolic moments, for example, planting trees, finger and handprint pictures, hand tying, sand ceremonies, message books, readings, promises or time capsules all create treasured memories.
There you have it, so many reasons to have a Naming Ceremony for your child/children. I am so excited to work with you, creating and celebrating a Naming Ceremony with you and your precious family and friends.