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Baby Naming

A naming ceremony is an ideal way of celebrating the birth of a new baby. Many couples feel that it is appropriate to have a special occasion to celebrate the birth of a baby that can be shared with their family and friends. They can also be used to celebrate adoptive children and step children becoming part of a new family.

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The event is a dignified and formal way to:
bullet icon Welcome the child into the family unit.
bullet icon Announce the names that have been chosen for the child (and possibly the reasons behind the choice of names).
bullet icon Make promises and commitments to nurture and support the child through to its adult life.
bullet icon Choose other adults and family members who are prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to the child.
Any parent can arrange a naming ceremony, whether they are married or not and irrespective of spiritual, religious or cultural backgrounds.
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The Ceremony
A baby girl in a blue and white dress and a white sun hat sitting outside This will include specially written ceremonies containing choices to make your naming ceremony unique - something that you and your family will remember. 

You will be able to choose promises to make to the child, promises to make to your partner. Supporting adults and other members of the family will also be able to make promises to the child.

You can also choose from a selection of poems and readings to personalize your ceremony and can choose to present your child with a special gift to mark the occasion.

A souvenir certificate of the ceremony will be signed and presented during the ceremony.

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It should be noted however that neither the naming ceremony nor any documents issued as part of the proceedings has any legal status.

You can hold your ceremony at any suitable venue. The venue does not have to be licensed in any way, nor does it have to be local to you. Perhaps you have a hotel in mind, or maybe a favourite restaurant or a village hall.

Of course, you might prefer to hold the ceremony at home, or at a friend or relative’s house. Ceremonies can be held outside but there will need to be an inside room available in case of bad weather.
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Basic Rules for Outside Ceremonies

It is lovely to hold the Ceremony outside, especially on a beautiful sunny day, but if you want the ceremony to be held in the Garden, there must also be a suitable room inside – a contingency plan - to hold the ceremony comfortably, if bad weather prevails and prevents this happening.

Insurance

No-one wants accidents to happen, but sometimes they do, so please ensure that your domestic insurance policy covers third party liability for any visitors to your home.

Health and Safety Issues

Sorry to preach this but in this day and age we have to be so careful.

All entrances and exits to and from the ceremony area should be clear and safe to use.

All constructions in gardens, such as marquees and gazebos should be well erected, safe and secure.

Any outside electrical equipment, e.g. lights or sound equipment must be safe and there should be no trailing wires or cables. Tape and purpose–made cable covers should be used and cables kept well away from walkway areas.

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