Naming Day Ceremony Gold Coast, Brisbane or Byron

What is a naming day ceremony? A naming ceremony is a non-religious celebration of the arrival of a new child. It is a way of welcoming the child and officially introducing him/her to family and friends.

Naming ceremonies involve the important people in the child’s life – family and special friends. Parents have the opportunity to ask other adults to play a supportive role to their child through to adult life.

Poems, readings and quotes of personal significance can be used throughout the ceremony. Often a symbolic gesture is also made such as the lighting of a candle, planting of a tree etc. In addition, certificates are presented to parents and other special people as a record of the occasion.

Naming ceremonies are not a baptism or christening. While the ceremonies are non-religious, many parents with religious beliefs hold naming ceremonies to welcome their child. Doing so does not prevent the child from holding or participating in a religious ceremony at any stage of their life.

While the Naming Ceremony and accompanying documents don’t have any legal status, they are a wonderful way to welcome your child and celebrate them as they begin their journey through life.

Each naming day ceremony is unique and is tailored to suit your individual needs. A basic checklist of things to consider follows.

• Choose date and time for the ceremony
• Decide on venue
• Confirm celebrant
• Meet with celebrant to ensure you feel comfortable
• Pay deposit to celebrant
• Collate guest list
• Decide on invitations (optional)
• Send invitations (four weeks prior is a good guide)
• Select ceremony style and format
• Choose ‘special people’ to participate in the ceremony
• Choose symbolic gesture for ceremony (optional)
• Choose the music (optional)
• Choose poems, readings or quotes (optional)
• Write any special words, poems etc (optional)
• Choose a theme (optional)
• Choose decorations (optional)
• Decide what child will be wearing
• Decide on food and drink requirements
• Follow up guests who haven’t sent an RSVP (one week prior)
• Ask for volunteers to help on the day
• Book a photographer or nominate a friend to take photos

To organise your baby’s naming day ceremony Gold Coast, Brisbane or Byron contact our expert in naming day ceremonies, Jessica. Having a little one myself I know how important this day is to you and would love to help you plan a perfect naming ceremony for your baby.