Naming ceremonies
A civil 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 an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can, and for adult friends or relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child.
The ceremony is also an ideal way of creating family bonding for adopted or stepchildren, and of welcoming them into their new extended family.
All naming ceremonies have six essential sections:
- Introduction and welcome
- Reading(s)
- Naming of the child (or children)
- Parents' promises
- Promises by supporting adults
- Closing words
You can choose to add any of the following additional sections:
- Reasons for the names
- Hopes for the child's future
- Parents' vows to each other
- Grandparents' promises
- Absent guests
- Further readings
- Presentation of a gift to the child
Fees, charges and venues
You can hold your ceremony either at Penallta House or at a number of approved venues across the county borough. Fees and charges vary depending on when and where you wish to hold the ceremony.
For further information about naming ceremonies, please contact us.