Welcoming a new child into your family is a momentous occasion, filled with joy and love. A Humanist naming ceremony offers a personal and non-religious way to honour this significant milestone.
It is an opportunity to gather your loved ones, share your hopes for your child’s future, and introduce them to your community.
As you start planning this special event during the summer months, take advantage of the season’s warm days, and natural beauty to create a joyful experience.
Here are some top tips to help you plan a delightful summer humanist naming ceremony.
1. Choose a lovely outdoor venue – but be prepared
With flowers in bloom and the warmer evenings, summer is the ideal time to host your naming ceremony outdoors. Look for a venue that offers beautiful natural scenery, such as a garden, park, or beach. Ensure there is plenty of shade and provide essentials like suncream, water, and sun hats for the little ones.
Of course, as we know in the UK, the sunshine is not guaranteed! Have a contingency plan in case of rain, such as a nearby indoor location or a marquee.
2. Personalise the Ceremony
A Humanist naming ceremony is all about personalisation. Work with a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant to create a script for your ceremony that reflects your family’s values and hopes for your child’s future. Incorporate readings, poems, and music that have special meaning to you and your family – you could even choose readings or poems which references summer or nature to fit in with the season.
3. Celebrate with a Summer Feast
Serve seasonal foods and refreshing beverages. Consider a summer-themed picnic with a variety of light options, salads, and fruit or perhaps a BBQ – and don’t forget to include a celebratory cake or dessert. As well as fun fruity drinks do make sure there is plenty of water to go around, especially if it’s a hot day.
4. Decorate with Nature in Mind
Enhance the natural beauty of your outdoor venue with simple pastel decorations. Use flowers and natural materials to create a fun and inviting atmosphere. Fairy lights and lanterns can add a magical touch as the sun sets into a warm evening.
5. Bubbles
Blowing bubbles is a fun and environmentally-friendly alternative to a balloon release. Children love making, chasing, and catching bubbles, which is fun for everyone at your event. Plus, blowing bubbles outside leads to much less mess than bubbles inside! An added bonus is that the bubbles shimmering in the sunshine make for wonderful photo opportunities.
6. Relax and Enjoy the Day
Remember that the day is about celebrating your child and the joy they bring to your family. Try not to stress about the small details. Having a celebrant lead the day allows you to take the time to enjoy the ceremony and the company of your loved ones. A humanist celebrant will work with you to create a personalised script and will lead the ceremony on the day, leaving you a chance to enjoy this wonderful summer naming ceremony!
If you would like a personalised, bespoke naming ceremony, you can use the Humanist Ceremonies celebrant directory on our ‘Find a celebrant’ map page to see trained and accredited naming celebrants in your area. Your local celebrant will be happy to talk with you about your ideas and the possibilities for the celebration you are planning.
Read more about humanist naming ceremonies
If you’re thinking about having a naming ceremony to welcome a child or young person to your family, find a celebrant here.
