Naming Ceremony

[Lewiesmum]

Could people out there give me some ideas for alternatives to a Christening. I have heard of a naming ceremony but have never been to one and don't know anyone who has. If you have done or been to one can you describe what it entailed please. Thanks!

[bubhub]

HiWe had a 'naming ceremony' for both of our kids. They were conducted by the celebrant who married us in our back yard with loads of family and friends.

I think you can find celebrants through the yellow pages. Most celebrants will do naming ceremonies and have a choice of 'standard' naming ceremonies for you to choose from - or you can mix and match to make up your own ceremony. Ours involved a couple of readings by our chosen 'godparents' and a number of readings by the celebrant. It lasted about 20 minutes.

[SophieD]

Hi

We held a naming ceremony for our daughter and we invited family & friends and held it around our pool area. Basically you can personalise the ceremony to your liking. You don't even need to hire a celebrant, we asked one of our close friends to conduct the ceremony. I just looked up the internet and found an example of the main areas you need to cover in the ceremony, and then my husband and I added what we wanted, asked grandparents to say something, my husband wrote a song for our daughter and we planted a tree in her name. We then just had a buffet lunch afterwards and enjoyed the rest of the day.

HOpe this helps.
Sophie!

[Kelly]

Hi - we had a celebrant for our baby's Naming Day. She was great - Lesley Kerl , her webpage with LOTS of info is www.babynamings.com.au I know she goes all over Sydney and other areas as well, Central Coast etc. It was a beautifull ceremony, just what we wanted. She also does a Baby blessing or Home Christening which is similar to a Baby Naming but with a light religious fee. I felt it was better to have a celebrant.

[Laura&Emilys'Mum]

I suggest you research your celebrants first. Find out costs as this varies. I had a ceremony for my first child that was nice however the celebrant was not the best cracking silly jokes. He seemed nice when we went for an interview with him. I vowed I would not have one for my next daughter. However she turned one last week and the week before I was feeling a little guilty I had not organised anything so I found a celebrant in our yellow pages. She sounded lovely on the phone and told me it was $150. Well I kid you not she was here all of 15 minutes total and the ceremony was over in less than 10 minutes. She said we did not need to see her prior to the ceremony. Now I wish I had to discuss what was to be said. My husband and I are not terribly religious and there was a lot of reference to god in the ceremony. I was very disappointed for the money. Think I might become a celebrant when I get older and earn $10 a minute too. So research hard and meet the celebrant first. I have a friend who paid $80 each for her kids ceremonies.
Melissa

[Kelly]

I really suggest you contact Lesley Kerl Celebrant - she specialises in Baby Namings and can email you sample ceremonies (Baby Naming - no religion at all or a Baby Blessing or Home Christening with a light religious feel) see www.babynamings.com.au

[H&B'sMum]

We are having a naming ceremony for Harry in a couple of months. We are having a celebrant do it and he is letting us personalise it to suit our family. We are able to include any readings we want as well as invloving not only Harry's Godparents but his Grandparents as well. We are having it at a local beach.
I rang three celebrants and they ranged in price from $150 to $80. The Celebrant who was charging $150 wouldn't let us personalise the service and wouldn't meet with us before hand. We are meeting with our celebrant in a couple of weeks and go through the service with him.
My advice research your celebrants and kinda know what you want in the service.
Good luck