Naming ceremonies

Part of: Celebration ceremonies

Contents

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. 

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.

How the ceremony is conducted

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 want to add to enhance the ceremony.

Choices can include:

  • promises about the child's upbringing, made by the parents and the supporting adults
  • vows by the parents about their own relationship
  • promises by the grandparents
  • readings and music
  • the presentation of a special gift to the child
  • brothers and sisters in the ceremony

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

How to book a baby naming ceremony

When you have decided when and where you want to hold the ceremony, call us on 0161 912 3026 to make an appointment. We will discuss the arrangements, the paperwork that needs to be completed and the fees to pay.

We will give you all the advice you need to make the occasion a special event in your child'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 want to have a christening or other religious ceremony you should contact your local church or place of worship.

Where you can hold a naming ceremony

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

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