Let’s face it, it’s been a really hard few months and it’s tricky to plan ahead for the weekend, never mind for a few weeks into the future! If you’re considering holding a naming ceremony to welcome your little one in the near future but you’re not sure of the best way to go about it right now…this post is for you.
Below are the three main choices if you’re thinking about holding a naming ceremony for your child in the near future:
1. Intimate In-Person Ceremonies (guidance correct as of 27/09/2020; England only)
As with weddings, funerals and other ‘major life’ events, it is still possible to hold in-person ceremonies with the following guidelines in mind:
My understanding is that you can have up to six guests at the moment (unfortunately babies and children are also included in the 'Rule of Six'). I'm conscious that this is a very small number and that it would be difficult for families to hold a ceremony of this size.
One option is for you to hold a ceremony at home (perhaps just as parents, the child and any siblings) and to stream it onto a platform such as Facebook Live for your friends and family to join in the celebrations with you.
Your celebrant would not count as one of your six guests.
This is my current understanding in terms of the numbers allowed and I will endeavour to update this blog as and when any further changes are introduced.
2. Virtual Ceremonies
You might have seen a few virtual weddings that have taken place since the start of lockdown, which have all been so heart-warming to witness. It’s also possible to hold virtual naming ceremonies on platforms such as Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts and are just as special.
Here are a few tips below to make your virtual ceremony a success:
· Do you have a tech savvy sister, uncle or friend? Nominate a Chair to look after the technical side of the ceremony (e.g. to check that everyone has logged on, keep an eye on any messages or take charge of any potential technical glitches) – this will give you one fewer thing to worry about and to concentrate on enjoying the ceremony!
· Allow 10 minutes before start of ceremony for your friends and family to join early and for your nominated Chair to explain how the tech will work and what’s expected of your guests.
· Why not send your guests some props in advance to use in the ceremony – for example, some bubbles and a mini bottle of prosecco for the all-important toast.
· I’d be very willing to hold a rehearsal ceremony for you so you’re comfortable with how the ceremony would run.
You can record your ceremony to be shared with those who couldn’t attend at a later date.
3. …Holding off until you feel the time is right
If you’re just not comfortable with holding a ceremony in the current climate and want to hold it in future as something positive for you and your family to look forward to, I completely understand.
You could tie it in with a special occasion, such as your child’s birthday – don’t worry about whether you think your baby would be ‘too old’ to have a ceremony by then, there’s no upper age limit. It’s never too early to think about what your ideal ceremony might include and I’m certainly taking enquiries for 2021.
Whichever option is right for you and your family – do get in touch, I’d love to hear about your plans!
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