The First Steps

If, having looked over my site, you think I am the person to conduct your ceremony, please send me an e mail with the date/s you have in mind, the location of the proposed venue and any other details you feel I should know; for example, if there is more than one child to be named, more than one family having a child named or if I will be naming, or welcoming, toddlers or older children.  I will then e mail you with my availability and to arrange a time for us to have a quick chat on the phone so you can decide if I feel like the right ‘fit’ for you and your family.

If you’d like to go ahead, then I will ask you to secure the booking with a £100 non-returnable deposit.

The Family Meeting

Next, we meet; preferably between eight and six weeks before the big day.  Usually, I will come to you and my visit will generally last one to two hours.  It’s a very informal, conversational visit and it’s where I find out all the little bits and pieces that go into the script that I write especially for your ceremony.  Topics for namings usually include: conception [don’t worry; I won’t need to hear about the birds and the bees, I promise!]; pregnancy; labour and delivery; coming home and the first few weeks; personality traits of the child and parental character traits that appear to have been inherited; anecdotes and stories; hopes and dreams.  It is entirely up to you what you share with me and I will send you a copy of the script to vet a couple of weeks before the ceremony.

With welcomings, our conversation will be a little more loosely structured as every story has a different beginning.

We will also discuss readings, blessings, symbolic acts, promises and significant contributors.

After the Meeting

I will then go away and write up my notes which I aim to send to you, for checking, within 48 hours.  As I write up my notes, I generally find that I’m beginning to script the ceremony which, has the added bonus of giving you an idea of what to expect from your ceremony.  You can cut, re-write or add to these notes as you please; I’m creating a ceremony for you, not me!  At this point, I also check that you are still happy to go ahead.  If you want to call a halt to proceedings, please don’t be shy to do so; I really will not be offended and I will be happy to suggest others celebrants to help you create your perfect ceremony.

When I have received my proof-read notes from you, I will write the script.  By this point, you may have chosen readings, promises and anything else I need to include; if not, I will add them in when you have.  I will send you the first draft to check.  Again, feel free to cut, re-write or add things as you feel the need.  About a week or so before the day, I will contact you just to ensure that there isn’t anything you want to add; children, particularly babies, change quickly! I will also ask you to pay the balance of my fee.

Then, all that’s left to do is enjoy the ceremony! If we’re outside, here’s hoping for sunshine!

My contact details are on the right.  I charge £250; there are no hidden extras.