Other Ceremonies

A Moments in Time Ceremony adds something special to almost any life event celebration be it a significant birthday or anniversary, the arrival of someone new or renewing vows  - even a graduation or start of a significant adventure. 

If you have a ceremony in mind please contact me for a free, no obligation meeting, face to face (preferable) Zoom or FaceTime, so we can chat about creating your wonderful Moment in Time.

Two of the most popular types of ceremony are:-

There can be no greater cause for celebration than the arrival of a new member into the family.  At one time the only way to mark this momentous occasion was a Christening in Church but this is now not appropriate for many people.  Why not hold a Celebrant led naming ceremony to welcome the new little person or persons and invite family and friends to share in the joy?  

The ceremony is designed round the parents’ wishes, it may contain some religion if they wish but most importantly it is the parents proudly introducing their new baby to family and friends.  It allows the parents, grandparents and supporting adults (or called godparents if that is your wish) to express their love and commitment to the new addition and also make personal promises to them. 

A typical structure may be:

• First step a welcome by the celebrant including the purpose of the ceremony – the celebration of a new addition to the family. 
• A reading, prayer or poem possibly by parent, supporting adult or grandparent 
• Celebrant leads the formal announcement of the baby's name, stated by the parents
• The parents make their promises to the child 
• Celebrant introduces the role of supporting adults
• The supporting adults make their promises to care for and support the child
• Optional – the Grandparents make their promises to the child
• Second reading or poem possibly by parent, supporting adult or grandparent
• Close by the celebrant including presenting parents with commemorative certificate.

But as with all celebrant led ceremonies the emphasis is on choice and it is entirely up to you how to mark this great occasion. Naming ceremonies can be held in any location and with any content. 

Various enhancements can be included such as the Rose Petal ceremony where different coloured rose petals are showered on the baby’s head while the celebrant recites the meaning of each colour.

Namings are not just for babies – older children can have their day as well – it is also a wonderful way of welcoming an adopted child into the family.  A lovely and very poignant enhancement is a variation of the Sand Ceremony used in weddings.  In a naming both parents and child or children each have a glass or tube of different coloured sand and together pour them into a larger clear container.   As they do the colours mix together and are from then on inseparable, representing the inseparable nature of the new family unit; but some parts of the original colours will still be visible in the large container indicating that although inseparably joined, each person retains their individual identity.

The fee for a naming within 30 minutes travel of North Hampshire is £250.  I also conduct ceremonies nationally and internationally subject to modest additional expenses.

The following services are included in the fee:-

• Unlimited communication, phone calls, meetings (skype or facetime), email etc. to discuss and plan the ceremony in detail.
• Your date secured for you alone. 
• Advice on vows, readings, etc.
• Advice on ceremony logistics.
• Advice on ceremony options, including, Rose Petal and Sand ceremony
• Unlimited drafts of your ceremony wording until it is exactly as required; unique and special reflecting your values and wishes for your child / children
• Help, support and encouragement throughout the journey
• Attending on the day well before the ceremony start time 
• Officiating at the ceremony – the only one I will do that day.
• A naming certificate (not a legal document) and copy of the ceremony in a keepsake folder.

It would be a pleasure to help you create the most wonderful naming ceremony. Please contact me to discuss ideas for your perfect Moment in Time.

A Renewal of Vows is a wonderful way to celebrate a marriage or civil partnership after a milestone or event significant to the couple. Perhaps after a specific number of years or it could be a way to celebrate a marriage conducted abroad once back in the home country. It is a beautiful way to reaffirm the love and commitment you have for each other and also celebrate and remember your adventure together.

The ceremony can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Many of the enhancements applicable to a wedding can be used in a renewal –  handfasting, the Loving Cup and Unity candle are very appropriate (see enhancements on wedding page)

The ceremony will be created around your wishes and desires, you can write and say your own words to each other and include any children or grandchildren if you wish - all options are open to you. 

A typical structure may be:

• First a welcome by the celebrant, introducing the purpose of the ceremony. 
• A prayer, reading or poem often by a family member or friend.
• Celebrant gives the couple’s love story and reason for renewal of vows and background on how the couple reached this point – if they wish it. 
• Personal words by the Groom to the Bride, partner 1 to partner 2 - if they wish
• Personal words by the Bride to the Groom, partner 2 to partner 1 - if they wish
• Celebrant leads the reaffirmation of your vows either spoken by couple or by celebrant with response of ‘I will’
• Exchange of One or two rings 
• Ceremony enhancement(s) - tying the knot, loving cup or others. 
• Suitable, warm remarks by celebrant
• Second reading or poem often by family member or friend
• Signing of commemorative certificate 
• Celebrant presents couple to the guests

But as with all celebrant led ceremonies the emphasis is on choice and it is entirely up to you how to mark the occasion. A Renewal of Vows ceremony can be held in any location and with any content. 

The fee for a Renewal of Vows depends on the complexity of the ceremony and location, within an hour’s travel of north Hampshire the range is £400 to £600.  I also conduct ceremonies nationally and internationally subject to modest additional expenses.

The following services are included in the fee:-
 

• Unlimited communication, phone calls, meetings (skype or facetime), email etc. to discuss and plan the ceremony in detail.
• Your date secured for you alone. 
• Advice on vows, readings, music etc.
• Advice on ceremony logistics, 
• Advice on ceremony options, including tying the knot, loving cup, Unity candle, 
• Writing your love story from your personal reflections. 
• Unlimited drafts of your ceremony wording until it is exactly as required; unique and special reflecting your values and wishes. 
• Help, support and encouragement throughout the journey
• Attending on the day well before the ceremony start time 
• Officiating at the ceremony – the only one I will do that day.
• Commemorative Renewal of Vows certificate (not a legal document) and copy of the ceremony in a keepsake folder.

It would be a pleasure to help you create the most wonderful Renewal of Vows ceremony. Please contact me to discuss ideas for your perfect Moment in Time