A naming ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of your baby. It is an opportunity to formally welcome baby into your family, to introduce him or her to your friends, and to assign the name you have chosen. Naming ceremonies are also a time when you can publicly affirm your love and commitment to your child, recognise the important contribution of other family members such as grandparents, and choose people to be guide parents or mentors to provide an additional source of love and support for your child as he or she grows up. They are also, of course, a great excuse for a party!

Namings are not legal ceremonies, and so they can be held anywhere. It is common for them to take place at home, in a hotel, or in a favourite garden or park. Of course with the unpredictability of our English weather it is always good to have an under cover option available!

I would love to help you create a Naming ceremony that reflects your baby’s personality, your family circumstances, your values, and your hopes and aspirations for your child. To do this I will meet with you andyour baby, and based on what you tell me I will then write the script for your ceremony. I can advise you on content, including the wording of promises, choice of readings and music, and any symbolism such as candle lighting, tree planting etc.

On the day of your ceremony I will arrive in plenty of time to help with setting up and to make sure that everyone involved in the ceremony knows what they are doing! I realise that babies and young children don’t always conform to timetables, and am very happy to be flexible with start times. As a mum and grandma (and originally a primary school teacher) I am very used to young children. I love being with them, and I can usually make them smile!

At the end of your ceremony I will leave you with a keepsake script, and, if you choose to have one, a Naming certificate.

My fee, inclusive of travel within a 30 mile radius of my home, is £250.