Naming Ceremony Elements

Ceremony elements can be included in your ceremony, but it’s important to say, a ceremony is just as beautiful with no elements.

A quick search on Pinterest will provide endless options! Here are some ideas to get started!

Time Capsule – Family members collect significant objects and place them in a time capsule to be opened on a set date. 

Scrapbook – Family and friends are invited to write a message in a scrapbook; to bring photos of the parents when they were young, or bring their favourite song or poem. 

Tree Planting – Soil is collected from the grandparents gardens and added to a sapling, then the guardians water the soil as a symbol of the commitment to support the child as they grow. The tree is then planted in your place of choice.

Letter Box – Parents, family and friends write a letter to the child and they are secured in a box to open at a later date. The box can be secured with ribbons of significant meaning. 

Sand Ceremony – Different colour sands are mixed to symbolise the parent and guardians values and hope for the child’s future values. It represents inclusion of the new child into the family.

Hand Prints on Canvas – The child’s name is written in vinyl letters and stuck to a large canvas.  Family and friends use different coloured paints to make a hand print on the canvas.  When dry, the letters are removed and the child name will appear surrounded by family and friends!

Earth, Air, Fire and Water – Stones or glass pebbles are placed in a clear glass bowl or vase, to represent the earth, and water is then included. Sitting on the stones is a candle to represent fire. All guests blow the child a kiss, to represent air. The celebrant explains the meaning behind the different elements.

Fire – Vigorousness, zeal, enthusiasm, courage, decisiveness, power of creativity, daring 

Air – Vigilance, care-freedom, kind-heartedness, trusting nature, clarity, lightness, independency, dexterity, optimism, diligence, acuity, joy, smiling

Water – Understanding, placidity, mildness, trusting nature, devotion, mercy,  forgiveness, modesty, compassion.

Earth – Consistency, conscientiousness, perseverance, punctuality, caution, resistance, responsibility, carefulness, firmness, reliability, sobriety, ambition, respectfulness, matter-of-factness.

Planning a Naming Ceremony

Planning a naming ceremony is a very special time, and preparations often begin before the baby is born or in the case of adoption, brought home.  Planning should be fun and stress free.  Here are some ideas to help you plan your special ceremony.

Keep a ceremony diary: If you come across a reading or poem that you would like at your child’s ceremony, jot it down or bookmark the link.  When friends or family have naming ceremonies or other religious rituals like a christenings, make a note of little touches that you felt were special or meaningful.

Choose a venue: The wonderful thing about a naming ceremony is you can celebrant in any location!  If you choose to have the naming ceremony soon after the baby is born, it can be in the comfort of your own home.  This also allows you to limit the guest list, if you so choose.  Most hotels have smaller event rooms that can provide the intimate space needed for a naming ceremony.  Incorporating a ceremony with a summer picnic is a great option if lots of children are attending.  Equally, holding a Christmas naming ceremony when family and friends may be home from abroad is another great option.

Choose the life mentors/god parents: It’s a big honour to be chosen as the guardian/godparent/life mentor of a child, and never underestimate how special someone will feel when you ask them to take on this special role. It’s a good idea to make a note in your ceremony diary of why you have chosen them.  This is not only helpful for the celebrant to include in your ceremony, but also for the guardian/god parent/life mentor themselves.  It lets them know why you feel they are the right person to be there for your child.  Usually there are two guardians/life mentors/godparent’s.  If a child is being christened and having a naming ceremony, two people might stand for the child at both ceremonies, or there might be two godparents and two life mentors, it is completely up to you. 

Ceremony Elements: A ceremony element is a another way to seal the bonds between family and friend attending the naming of your child.  There are so many different types to choose from.  A unity ceremony can include just the parents and child or all the guests!  Have a look at the ceremony menu page for some ideas.   Or spend some time on developing your own unique unity ceremony.  When you meet with your celebrant, bring your ceremony diary with you.  It will be a great help to ensure your ceremony is filled with personal choices and elements that have special meaning to you.

When you do start planning your child’s naming ceremony, please get in touch, as I would love to work with you to create your very special day.

hello@thecivilcelebrant.ie