Congratulations!
Welcome Ceremonies are a chance to celebrate new life into your family.
Welcome Ceremonies are a modern alternative to celebrate the inclusion of any new member of your family. Your ceremony may include religious blessings, or instead family or cultural traditions that are unique to you.
From a Naming Day Ceremony for the arrival of a new-born surrounded by the love of family and friends, where together you share your hopes and dreams for your bundle of joy. Or it might be the adoption of a child of any age, to the celebration of the new identity of a family member including gender affirmation ceremonies.
If you are combining two families together then a Blended Family Commitment is a wonderful way to demonstrate your love and commitment to each other and to celebrate two families becoming one. Decoupling Ceremonies acknowledge when a relationship ends and provide families and children with the opportunity to take part in the creation of a new future with the continued love and commitment of each partner.
Ceremonies can be held in most places, why not hold your ceremony in your home or garden, or at any location that has meaning for you and your family.
Let me guide you through the process
I pride myself on the authentic connection I form with my clients and am passionate and sincere about bringing your ceremony vision to life.
If the below steps sound great to you, head to the booking button below and send me an enquiry.
Let’s plan together
First things first let’s get together, in person or over Zoom (depending on your preference). You will get a sense of my style and approach and I will learn more about your ideas and plans. I’ll explain how everything works and you can bombard me with all your questions.
When you feel comfortable that I am a good fit for you and you are ready to lock me in – we’ll get started with a couple of forms and a Booking Fee to secure the date. That’s it, you can chill, I will guide you through every step. Then it’s over to me to write your fully personalised, relaxed, heartfelt, inclusive, fun and memorable ceremony.
As your celebrant I am privileged to help you choose your words, music, poetry, readings, promises and commitments for parents, grandparents and your chosen ‘guide-parents’ or mentors.
What happens at a Welcome Ceremony?
Welcome ceremonies can be tailored to your vision, and can include virtually anything your family wants. As a guide the below elements are often included:
It is usual to start the ceremony with the parents or guardians stating the name of the new member(s) of the family being welcomed
Parents, grandparents, Godparents, guide parents, mentors or supporting adults making promises to the new family member(s) about how they intend to nurture and support them.
Poems, or readings relating to parenting and family support. These can be part of your family tradition, they can be religious or lighthearted.
Music that has a special meaning for family. This can be performed by a professional or a family member or it can be a recorded and played via a sound system.
Family members signing a commemorative certificate as a lasting commitment of the promises they made to the new family member(s)
Presenting the new family member(s) with the commemorative certificate as a keepsake of the day.
The inclusion of a symbolic action such as a sand ceremony where you and your family blend sand from small glasses into a larger vessel to symbolise unity and the unbreakable commitment to each other. Alternatively there are other ideas including lighting a unity candle, planting of a tree, or a shared memory box that your guests can add to to be opened in years to come.
Let’s celebrate
Its the day of the ceremony. Get the champagne on ice, and the chocolate out ready for those little sticky hands!
On the day, I’ll arrive approximately 45 minutes prior to your ceremony, set up and test my equipment (if using a microphone/music system), talk with the venue and your photographer if you have one.
Once the ceremony is over you will receive your commemorative certificates and a little gift from me. I will then slip out the back door so you can continue to enjoy your day with your guests.
Welcome Ceremony Pricing
Package includes:
Initial consultation to get to know each other and decide if I am the right celebrant for you.
full support with the planning of your welcome or naming ceremony including unlimited email and telephone chats.
Use of my Bose PA system, including iPod connector for your music (if required)
Writing and editing a fully personalised, relaxed, heartfelt, inclusive, fun and memorable ceremony that reflects you and your day.
Support with choosing readings, poems and music for your celebration and entertainment ideas for the children
Coordination of the ceremony including supporting parents, grandparents, Godparents, guide parents, and any others involved in the ceremony.
Performance of the ceremony on the day (including liaison with your venue and other suppliers if required)
Performance of any one symbolic action as part of your ceremony
Commemorative ceremony script for you to keep
Commemorative certificate for the new member of the family
Commemorative certificates of the promises made by the parents and other participants taking part in the ceremony
Travel to and from your ceremony (within 20 miles)*
Pricing: Welcome Ceremony / Naming Ceremony £250*
*A 50% non-refundable booking fee will be required upon booking me and confirming the date, with the balance to be paid in full 60 days prior to the celebration day.
*If your ceremony is further than 20 miles from Leigh On Sea travel charges may apply.