A Naming Ceremony is a non-religious way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community.

It is also ideally suited to welcome and celebrate an adoptive child into the family or to embrace stepchildren into a new family. A perfect way to bond a family unit.

The child or children can be any age. A Naming Ceremony is a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child's future development.

Ceremonies may be held at Sale Town Hall or at one of the other approved venues in Trafford.

The ceremony will be conducted by a celebrant from Trafford Register Office.

When you book the date for the ceremony the celebrant will show you a sample script and will guide you through the various choices that you may wish to add to enhance the ceremony.

As well as promises about the child's upbringing, made by the parents and the supporting adults, choices can include vows by the parents about their own relationship, promises by the grandparents, readings and music, and the presentation of a special gift to the child. You may also wish to include brothers and sisters in the ceremony.

Naming ceremonies tend to be fairly informal and other children are welcome to attend. You may even decide to mark the event by giving the younger children present a small gift to celebrate the occasion. We shall be pleased to advise you about this.

When you have decided when and where you wish to hold the ceremony, please telephone us on 0161 912 3026 to make an appointment to discuss the arrangements, to complete the paperwork and to pay the fee.

We will give you all the advice you need to make the occasion a special event in your baby's life. At the end of the ceremony you will be given a souvenir certificate to mark the occasion.

A Naming ceremony has no legal standing. If you wish to have a christening or other religious ceremony you should contact your local church.

Where can I hold a Naming Ceremony?

• Sale Town Hall
• Any of our Approved Premises
• Commercial Premises
• Private Houses

Please note that an inspection fee is payable for premises who do not already have a marriage/civil partnership licence.