Naming Ceremonies

"You are born of two hearts. You are grace. You are beauty. You are love beyond measure. And gift without price." , Anon

Naming ceremonies are the perfect way to welcome a child of any age into a family. It helps to confirm their identity, whether new-borns, adopted children or step children. Single parents also find that such a ceremony is a wonderful way to affirm their commitment to their child, while publicly acknowledging the adults whom they have chosen to help and support them in the raising of their child through its formative years.

While faith-based ceremonies, such as Christenings, have long-established traditional scripts, choosing the right words for a more personal ceremony can be difficult.

As part of the ceremony planning process Diana likes to meet each family personally to get to know the baby or child. She takes time to create a script that meets her high standards as well as fulfilling the parents' dreams, while encapsulating the child’s personality and character. She brings along her valuable resource material and helps you choose or write your own promises and select readings and music. She also makes suggestions for additional content to ensure that each ceremony is personalised and embraces the family and guests.

The child being named, and each godparent/guide parent, receives a personalised parchment certificate to remind them of their promises and duties.

As a mother herself, Diana knows that it takes a lot of trust for parents to literally place their baby into her hands; but by putting their faith in her they can rest assured, comfortable in the knowledge that this will result in the perfect naming ceremony for their child.

"Diana; as always you pulled out all the stops to make it a beautiful and sincere ceremony taking on board all the things we discussed so it was everything we wanted it to be, and the song you recommended was spot on! Everything was just perfect and you gave us a naming ceremony we could only ever dreamed of having."

Becks and Dave

Independent celebrant Diana Saxby of Grace The Day helps you design your own bespoke celebration, encouraging family members to include their own words as they pledge their love for, and devotion to, the child. There is complete freedom to choose the content which feels right to you – whether of a religious, non-religious or spiritual nature.

Naming ceremonies can be held indoors or outdoors at a location of your choice. Balloons, doves or butterflies can be released at the close of the ceremony. Babies and children receive a Certificate of Naming listing their Godparents or Guiding Adults, who also receive commemorative certificates.

Double Naming Day Ceremony for Evie and Sebastian at Beach Weddings Bournemouth - 29th April 2012. Video kindly supplied by Toby Thomas

"Thank you Diana. That is amazing work! If we ever have another child, how on earth are we going to top that?!?!"

Michael and Louise