A Bespoke Naming Ceremony is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community. It's also an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can, and for adult friends or relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child. It's a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child's future development.

This is entirely up to you, your occasion can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. We will send you a Bespoke Ceremony Pack containing a large number of choices, ideas and options. Pick out all the choices that appeal to you and we will use them to create a complete ceremony to meet your wishes.

• The Bespoke ceremony has an increased number of choices from which to select your ceremony content

• the option to include symbolic actions

• A Naming Ceremony Verse & Music booklet is included in the pack containing over 100 additional readings and poetry selections

• the option to include your own composed words

• the option to include religious content

This is your choice.

Delivered by a Celebrant

One of our fully trained professional Celebrants can carry out the ceremony for you according to the choices you make. They will meet with you beforehand to discuss the ceremony content and arrangements.

'Script only' option

You may prefer to arrange for someone you know to conduct the ceremony for you and occasionally, a parent chooses to lead the ceremony themselves. If this is something that you prefer, you can purchase your Bespoke Script from us directly.

Yes, a Naming Ceremony is not just for babies, children of any age can have a Naming Ceremony and you may wish to include your older children in the Ceremony as well as your new child.

Where are ceremonies held?

You can hold your ceremony almost anywhere you wish, including your own home. There is likely to be a suitable venue in a suitable location to meet your needs e.g. hotel, community hall or restaurant for example.

Can I hold my ceremony at home?

The answer to this is yes, but there are certain conditions that apply. Take a look at our 'Guidelines for Ceremonies at Home' policy, this will give you an idea of the sort of things we will check and you need to consider. There is an additional charge for this service.

You must allow 6 weeks for us to create a Bespoke Naming Ceremony but our standard Naming Ceremony service is available at short notice.

'Script Only' Option

Our Bespoke Naming Ceremony Service is available for £110 (inc vat), this cost is for supplying a Script and tailor-made certificate reflecting your ceremony content.

Delivered by a Celebrant

If you would like one of our Celebrants to conduct your ceremony the fee is £265 (inc vat), this includes the full bespoke script.

There is an additional charge of £30 (inc vat) if you are holding the ceremony at your home.

Note: If you are holding the ceremony at a venue such as a hall or hotel, ask the venue for their room hire/catering fees.

How to get the best from your Naming Ceremony

The ceremony has to feel right for you, and we hope that the suggestions offered in our Bespoke Naming Ceremony pack help to generate your own ideas and thoughts. Include those suggestions that particularly appeal to you, or you may even prefer to create something completely different, to express your sentiments.

about the promises you wish to make to your child. Try to choose promises that have a special meaning for you, and ask your Supporting Adults or Godparents to do the same.

your Supporting Adults or Godparents with care. Ideally, they should be people whom your child will see regularly and who will have a good and positive influence in the child's life. Being asked to be a supporting adult is an honour, but it's also a role that carries responsibilities, so choose the people you ask with care and talk to them about the promises they feel able to make.

grandparents if they would like to be involved. They are likely to be important people in your child's life. You may like to remember friends and family who are not able to join you for the occasion.

giving a special gift to your child. It doesn't have to be expensive, but choose something long lasting that your child can keep and treasure in years to come.

the ceremony suit your needs and feelings; this is one of the great pleasures of a Naming Ceremony. It is a wonderful opportunity to create an occasion unique to you and your child, expressed through the promises and readings you choose.

over the content with family and friends about what to include, and discuss your needs with our Bespoke Ceremony Specialist team who will offer you help and advice.

Yes you can, when you receive our Bespoke Ceremony Pack, do consider all the options and choices carefully and include your own additional words if you wish. Our Bespoke Ceremony Specialist Team will contact you to ensure the ceremony is exactly as you wish.

Yes, some families do include religious references and this is no problem, although if you require a fully religious ceremony, we would suggest that you contact your church or religious community.

Yes, a souvenir Certificate is provided that reflects your ceremony. If you would like additional certificates i.e. Supporting Adult Promises and Grandparents' Promises, they are available from the website, see Store for more details.

Any parent can make the arrangements to hold a Naming Ceremony. Likewise, anyone who has parental responsibility or legal guardianship of the child or children. Parents do not have to be married and can come from any cultural background, with any spiritual or religious beliefs or with none.

Naming Ceremony Invitations & Certificates

Naming Ceremony Invitations are available in packs of 10. There are also Certificates available for ‘Parents Promises’, ‘Grandparents Promises’ and ‘Supporting Adults Promises’, please click here to see samples and for more information.

Simply call us on 0845 0048 608 (calls charged at local call rate) or email us at info@civilceremonies.co.uk and we will explain the choices available and discuss arrangements.

   Click here to buy a selection of gifts & accessories for your Naming Ceremony online now