Naming ceremonies

Welcome and Introduction

Good morning/afternoon everyone and a warm welcome to (insert venue name).

My name is (celebrant’s name) and on behalf of (parents’ names and other children if required) may I welcome you all here today to this naming ceremony.

(Housekeeping points here).

The tradition of welcoming a new life into a community, by joining together with family and friends in celebration, began in ancient times.

In all cultures, throughout the world, the uniqueness of each new life is marked by the giving of a name.

It is one of the most important gifts we can give our children. It establishes their individuality, their place in the family, in the community and in society in general.

First choice of reading to be inserted here. 

Naming of the child: 

During the long months of waiting for the birth of a child, one of the things that may occupy our time is the name he or she will be given. The decision may be an easy one to make, the name may have deep significance or there may have been much discussion and changing of minds. 

However, the decision has been made and can I now ask (parents’ names) to bring their child forward. 

Please confirm to me the name you have given to this child.

(Parents to say child’s name with the option to explain why this particular name was chosen if they wish)

(Child’s name) you are welcomed today by your family and friends gathered in your honour. As you begin your journey through life, we hope that the love and support expressed here today will give you the strength and confidence to achieve your goals. 

May the love you experience as you grow to adulthood teach you to show love and compassion in return and to lead a fulfilled and contented life.

Parents promises:

(Parents’ names) have chosen to make promises to (child’s names) so I am now going to ask them to make those promises.

The celebrant will say each promise and parents will answer “we promise” together after each one. 

Do you promise that you will always love (insert name of child) without condition and to the best of your ability?

Do you promise to do your best to create a loving, secure home where (insert name of child)’s development can be nurtured?

Do you promise to teach by example so that he/she will learn truth, honesty, moral values, tolerance and generosity of spirit? 

Thank you.

Please confirm these promises by signing the certificate at the end of the ceremony.

Parents promises to each other:

(Optional section)

(Parents’ names) have also chosen to mark this special occasion by making promises to each other

The celebrant will say each promise and parents will answer “we promise” together after each one.

As you both begin the happy task of raising (child’s name), do you promise to share together the joys and challenges of parenthood that lie in the years ahead?

In front of everyone here today do you both promise that you will continue to love and support each other as you learn to be parents to (child’s name) together? 

Thank you and please return to your seats.

Grandparents Promises: (Optional section) 

A family is one of the strongest social units we can be part of. It provides a place of refuge, of security, of comfort and love.

(Child’s name)’s grandparents will play a very important part in his/her life.

May I ask (child’s name)’s grandparents to stand so that they can now make their promises.

The celebrant will say each promise and grandparents will answer “we promise” together after each one

Do you promise that you will give the same love and support to (child’s name) as you have to your own children?

Do you promise to use your own experience of life and wisdom to enhance (child’s name)’s development? 

Thank you – please take your seats.

Supporting Adults: 

An old African saying states, ’It takes a whole village to raise a child’. The bond between parents and their children is very strong but the support and encouragement of others is vital for the development of a child.

(Insert names of the supporting adults) have been asked to help and support in the raising of (child’s name) so I am now going to ask them to stand to make their promises.

The celebrant will say each promise and the supporting adults will answer “we promise” together after each one 

Will you promise to support this family and provide a shoulder to lean on if needed?

Do you promise to teach (child’s name) that he/she can learn from both success and setback and remind him/her that joy can be found everywhere?

Do you promise that (child’s name) will be able to trust you with his/her thoughts, his/her dreams and his/her hopes?

Do you promise to find time for (child’s name,) to be non-judgmental and supportive, and to love him/her? 

Do you promise to help him/her to be true to himself/herself, to act with his/her head but also to listen to his/her heart? 

The role of supporting adult is one of great honour and responsibility, a role which will greatly enrich your lives. 

Thank you and please confirm these promises by signing the certificate at the end. Please be seated. 

Second choice of reading to be inserted here.

Presentation of gifts to Child and/or Supporting adults (optional)

Signing of the certificate 

Before we move to the close of today’s ceremony, may I ask both parents and the supporting adults to come forward to sign the certificate which will be a lasting reminder of today’s ceremony.

(Optional playing of music while this is happening and guests are invited to take some photographs) 

Presentation of the certificate 

I would like to present this certificate as a record of this special ceremony here today, along with a copy of all that has been said and the promises that have been made, as a memento for you all for the future.

Closing Words

The joy we all experience in the birth of a child draws us closer together as a family and friends. Today’s ceremony has reinforced that bond between you and cemented the relationships which will surround (child’s name) as he/she grows. 

Children learn by example. If a child receives love, then they will give love, if a child experiences praise, then they will learn to appreciate. 

Everyone of us has a responsibility towards the next generation, to guide and protect them and to give them the confidence to grow and flourish. 

(Parents’ names) you have been entrusted with your child’s life so love him/her and watch over him/her and enjoy him/her. 

Thank you all for sharing in this ceremony. 

I wish you a very happy celebration and as you go through to the garden for more photographs, can we please end with a round of applause for (child’s name). 

Music played while guests leave for photos in the garden

Welcome and Introduction

Good morning/afternoon everyone and a warm welcome to (insert venue name). 

My name is (celebrant’s name) and on behalf of (parents’ names and other children if required) may I welcome you all here today to this naming ceremony. 

(Housekeeping points here).

For thousands of years, across the world, people have celebrated a new life and welcomed children into their family. 

We have all gathered here, from our many different walks of life, for this very special ceremony so that we can welcome this new arrival into (parents’ names) family. 

An ancient African proverb tells us “It takes a whole village to raise a child” and so here is a new little person ready to join the world and looking to you all for the love and care that he/she will need to fulfil his/her role in it. 

First choice of reading to be inserted here. 

Naming of the child: 

Now I am going to ask (parents’ names) to bring their child forward to be named. 

(Parents’ names) which name(s) have you chosen for your son/daughter? 

(Parents to say child’s name with the option to explain why this particular name was chosen if they to do wish) 

(Child’s name), this/these names now given will always be associated with (child’s name) face, his/her smile, his/her walk, his/her laugh and all the countless other little characteristics that make him/her unique. 

His/her name will be spoken, whispered, shouted, cried, sung and written thousands of times over by the many people who will touch his/her life. 

We hope that (child’s name) will be able to grow in the love and protection of those around him/her; that he/she will develop the self-confidence that comes with being cherished; that he/she will be loved in the future as he/she learns to love from those who love him/her now.

Parents promises:

(Parents’ names) have chosen to make promises to (child’s names) so I am now going to ask them to make those promises. 

The celebrant will say each promise and the parents will answer “we promise” together after each one.

Do you promise to work hard to provide a loving, cheerful and comfortable home for (insert name of child)?

Do you promise to raise (insert name of child) to be independent and to respect his/her right to be independent?

Do you promise to do your best to teach (insert name of child) honesty, generosity, tolerance and to be responsible for himself/herself, as well as to others and to the world in which we live?

Do you promise always to encourage without pressure, to listen without judgement and to support without condition?

Thank you. 

Please confirm these promises by signing the certificate at the end of the ceremony. 

Parents promises to each other:

(Optional section)

(Parents’ names) have also chosen to mark this special occasion by making promises to each other

The celebrant will say each promise and parents will answer “we promise” together after each one.

As you both begin the happy task of raising (child’s name), do you promise to share together the joys and challenges of parenthood that lie in the years ahead?

In front of everyone here today do you both promise that you will continue to love and support each other as you learn to be parents to (child’s name) together?

Thank you and please return to your seats. 

Grandparents Promises: (Optional section) 

Of course there are others that will also be important adults in (child’s name)’s family life. 

He/she has adoring grandparents as well as the love and support of other family members. 

I would now like to ask (child’s name)’s grandparents to come forward to make their promises. 

The celebrant will say each promise and grandparents will answer “we promise” together after each one.

Do you promise that you will give the same love and support to (child’s name) as you have to your own children?

Do you promise to use your own experience of life and wisdom to enhance (child’s name)’s development?

Thank you – please return to your seats.

Supporting Adults: 

In addition to the members of their families, (insert names of the supporting adults) have been chosen to have a special role in (child’s name) life and to support and encourage him/her in loving, learning and growing.

May I ask you all to stand please to make your promises.

The celebrant will say each promise and the supporting adults will answer “we promise” together after each one 

Will you offer (child’s name) guidance, encouragement and support without judgement

Do you promise to help protect him/her until he grows into adulthood and to be someone he/she can turn to for advice?

Do you promise that (child’s name) will be able to turn to you with his/her hopes and dreams, for a shoulder to cry on, someone to confide in and a hand to hold?

Do you promise to reinforce the values that his/her family will have taught him? 

The role of supporting adult is one of great honour and responsibility, a role which will greatly enrich your lives. 

Thank you and please confirm your promises by signing the certificate at the end. Please be seated.

Second choice of reading to be inserted here.

Presentation of gifts to child and/or supporting adults (optional).

Signing of the certificate

Before we move to the close of today’s ceremony, may I ask both parents and the supporting adults to come forward to sign the certificate which will be a lasting reminder of today’s ceremony.

(Optional playing of music while this is happening and guests are invited to take some photographs) 

Presentation of the certificate

I would like to present this certificate as a record of this special ceremony today, along with a copy of all that has been said and the promises that have been made, as a memento for you all for the future.

Closing Words

(Child’s name) you are too young now to be aware of what has been said here today, but one day in the future you will hear of the special welcome you have been given and the promises made to you today. You will know the joy, love and delight, simply by being here, that you have brought to the family and friends that surround you. 

Thank you all for sharing in this ceremony and I wish you a very happy celebration. As you go through to the garden for more photographs, can we please end with a round of applause for (child’s name). 

Music played while guests leave for photos in the garden.

Amendments

In the event that you need to make any changes to your ceremony a £30 administration fee will be payable.

Cancellations

In the event that you need to cancel a ceremony for which you have already paid, you will need to put your cancellation in writing. You can email us at peterboroughregisteroffice@peterborough.gov.uk.

Cancellations are subject to the following conditions, depending on how long before the ceremony date we receive the cancellation request:

• Six months or more before the ceremony date - full refund (less a £30 administration fee)
• Three to six months before the ceremony date - 50% refund (less a £30 administration fee)
• Less than three months before the ceremony date, or failure to request a cancellation - no refund

Please contact us on 01733 864 646 or at peterboroughregisteroffice@peterborough.gov.uk if you need to discuss a cancellation. Our phone line is open Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm.

• Ceremony rooms are located on the ground floor and have double doors to enter
• Disabled toilet available
• One disabled parking space
• Assistance dogs welcome (but no other animals)

If anyone attending your ceremony has any other requirements, please let us know.

Please note that we have limited parking available at Peterborough Register Office. The car park is used by other visitors to the building and spaces cannot be guaranteed, particularly on weekdays. We do not charge for parking.

At busy times, you may need to consider parking elsewhere.

Visit our car park locations page for more information about parking in the city.

This information applies to naming ceremonies held at the Register Office.

You are welcome to bring a professional photographer or videographer to capture your ceremony. They do not as one of your 30 guests. 

They can take photos or videos of the ceremony inside the Register Office and outside in the garden by the old stone archway afterwards. We have fitted the gardens with lighting to enhance photographs on winter afternoons or darker days.

We prefer the photographer / videographer to remain at the front of the room while the ceremony takes place. If they are seated during the ceremony, they will count as a guest.

Please note, if one of your guests acts as your photographer or videographer on the day, they will still count towards your guest amount.

Our staff may be able to take a few photos using your own device if you choose not to have a photographer.

Please note the music you choose for your ceremony must be appropriate to the occasion. It must not be religious in any way.

We suggest you choose between three to five songs for entry, exit and certificate presentation.

Naming ceremonies at the Register Office

You can either provide a CD or link to our system via Bluetooth.

Our staff can help with playing the music.

Naming ceremonies at other licensed venues

Please speak to the venue directly to enquire about options for music chosen for your ceremony.

To keep to the timings of our ceremonies throughout the day, we cannot provide the opportunity for you to decorate the ceremony room at the Register Office.

However, we do have floral displays in our ceremony rooms that we change seasonally.

If you opt to have your naming ceremony at a licensed ceremony venue, please contact them directly about options for decorating.

We do not allow food and drink inside the Register Office or in the garden.

If you opt to use a licensed ceremony venue, please contact them directly about food and drink options.

If you are running late for your appointment, please let us know by calling 01733 864646 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).