Naming Ceremonies

There are all kinds of ceremonies called namings: the Naming of a new child, the Naming of a Blended Family, or a Transgender Naming Ceremony, plus a bunch more. This gives you the chance to come together as a family or community, and promise to support your child, friend or relation through their lives.

They are beautiful events, full of compassion and love.

Your super happy baby at their naming ceremony

"It’s very clear how passionate Marcus is about his job. He made us feel very at ease and talked us through everything for our service in great detail. He listened to what we wanted and came up with ideas how to accomplish our vision. Thank you Marcus."

Lesley Warden

What's in a name?

Below are a few definitions for types of ceremony I offer, but you may have an idea that is not represented here. If so, give me a call and we can figure something out!

There are no legal ties with any kind of naming ceremony, so you have nothing to worry about there. It's just you, and the meaning you want to convey.

Ceremony Types
Ceremonies from £400

Naming Ceremony

This is what most people think of, the welcoming of a new child to a community.
This ceremony is all about the parents and supporting adults making promises in public to support and care for the child. The idea is that all those gathered hear and heed these promises, and also promise to help the parents and supporting adults keep them.
There are lots of ways of doing this, and every ceremony is as different as the child at its centre.

Perhaps you would like to read from the child's favourite book, or you'd like your parents to present the child with a special gift to mark the day. There are so many ways that this ceremony can occur, and it all begins with your story and your wishes.

Welcoming Ceremony

The adoption of a child of any age is a cause for celebration, and through a welcoming ceremony you can make them feel truely part of the family.
Much like a naming ceremony, this is a chance for you to make promises to the child to care for them and love them no matter what. You can involve supporting adults as well to make similar promises and help bring them into the family and commuity.
This can a be a lovely way to solidify your bond with the new member of the family, and this can be done in many ways. Gifts given can be a lovely welcome, and perhaps readings and promises could be used to help formaise the event.
Whatever you choose, I will help you craft something in a sensitive way that brings the family together.

Blending Ceremony

When two people with existing families come together, it is important that everyone within this new family feel safe and at home within it.

This ceremony is a lovely way of doing just that.
This ceremony is all about welcoming one another into a new whole,

and making promises to support all within it.

And there are many ways that this can occur, perhaps you would like to physically stand apart and come together through the course of the ceremony, perhaps you would like to write promises to one another and read them before your guests.

Or maybe something more low key.
Whatever you chose, you begin as two families, and by the end of the ceremony you leave as one.

Transgender Naming Ceremony

You have become the person you were always supposed to be.
This ceremony gives you the chance to say goodbye to who you used to be and embrace the person you are becoming. It is a chance to introduce yourself officially to the world as your correct identity, in the company of your chosen people.
This can happen in many ways. We can literally begin with you as one person and have you leave as another, we can symbolically give away elements associated with your previous life to show you beginning a new, and we can introduce you formally to the world for the very first time.
This is your day, and your ceremony. You lead the way, and I will make it happen.