A Humanist naming ceremony is a non-religious way to welcome a new child into your family and community. It’s a celebration of love, family, and identity, where parents and loved ones come together to mark this significant moment with promises and joyful celebration. Each ceremony is written specifically for the family by a highly trained Humanist Ceremonies celebrant, making it unique and full of meaning. Visit this page to learn more about humanist naming ceremonies.
Here are some quick tips to help you plan a relaxed and memorable summer naming ceremony.
1. Make the Most of the Outdoors
Humanist naming ceremonies can happen anywhere, and summer is the ideal season for an outdoor ceremony! Whether you choose a garden, park, woodland, or your own back garden – a natural backdrop is perfect for a humanist ceremony and creates a fun atmosphere.
While sunshine is wonderful, make sure guests stay safe and comfortable. Offer sun cream, hand fans, and choose a venue with some shade. Encourage guests to bring sun hats, and have extras on hand for little ones.
In the UK it’s also always a good idea to have a wet-weather plan just in case!
2. Choose a Humanist Celebrant You Connect With
Your humanist celebrant plays a key role in creating and leading the ceremony. All Humanist Ceremonies celebrants are highly trained and accredited by Humanists UK, and they’ll work closely with your family to create a personal and warm ceremony.
Summer naming ceremonies can be as joyful, relaxed, or as intimate as you wish and your celebrant will help bring your vision to life.
You can find a celebrant for a naming ceremony near you by visiting this map.
3. Create a Wishing Tree
A lovely interactive idea is to turn a real tree into a wishing tree. Provide tags, coloured paper, or ribbon so that guests can write their wishes or hopes for the child’s future. These can be read aloud during the ceremony or saved as a keepsake.
It’s a beautiful way to include your guests and makes for a meaningful moment, it also highlights nature at this beautiful time of year.
4. Celebrate with Picnic-Style Food
Keep catering simple and seasonal. A picnic-style spread or afternoon tea with finger foods, fresh fruit, slices of cake, and chilled drinks works well for all ages. Consider cool boxes, reusable plates and cups, and easy-to-eat options for young children.
You could set up picnic blankets embracing the summer style, or have picnic style food inside creating a relaxed, welcoming space for snacks.
5. Get Creative with Decoration
Let the beauty of the summer season guide your décor. Bunting, flowers, bubbles, and handmade rustic signs help create a playful and personal space.
You might choose a bright colourful theme, decorate a welcome table with baby photos and keepsakes, or have a guestbook for friends and family to sign.
6. Include Meaningful Moments
Your celebrant will help you shape a ceremony full of personal touches. You might want to include:
- Poems or readings from favourite books. Find some examples of poems for a naming ceremony here: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/namings/blog/poems-for-a-humanist-naming-ceremony/
- Planting a flower or tree to grow alongside your child
- Promises from parents or guideparent. Find out about guideparents and their role here: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/namings/blog/what-is-a-guide-parent-and-what-is-their-role/
- Involvement from siblings, grandparents, or close friends
These shared moments make the ceremony not only special and heartfelt, but truly yours.
7. Capture the Day
Consider hiring a photographer or asking a friend to take pictures so you can relax and enjoy the day. Outdoor light is perfect for natural, candid moments. You might also record the ceremony or create a memory box filled with wishes, readings, and photos.
Start Planning Your Summer Ceremony
A summer naming ceremony is a joyful celebration of new beginnings. Whether it’s a small gathering or a big family occasion, your Humanist Ceremonies celebrant will help you create something heartfelt, relaxed, and truly memorable.
