Naming ceremonies can be a great way to welcome new children into the family, whether they are babies or older, or step, foster or adopted children.

Such celebrations involve making a commitment to loving parenting of your child/ren with family and friends committing to support you.

You can make your own special promises to your child/ren in terms of your commitment, dedication, hopes and dreams for them. You may also want to more formally appoint others; guide parents or guardians, to help look after and support them.

Like all civil ceremonies, you can choose the venue, music, poems and readings in order to make a very personal and special occasion.

And you can incorporate other symbolic elements to suit you and your family best, such as presenting gifts, blowing bubbles, sand or water pouring, or releasing balloons, for example.

I also offer a nature-based baby, child or adult naming ceremony for those looking for something more spiritual and more Pagan-like. Perfect for an outdoor setting, these very special ceremonies involve guests in a really unique way. Incorporating the earth’s elements of air, fire, water and earth, they comprise readings/performances, a naming candle lighting and a water blessing.