Humanist Baby Namings & Welcomings - Jane Blackman Celebrant

02/10/2024

💚 Elijah Stephen Stuart 💚

💚 A fabulous 1st birthday party on Sunday, combined with an action-packed naming ceremony!

💚 Asked by Elijah’s parents to involve all the guests in the ceremony, we included a coin gathering - and the collection was made in an E shaped money box, by big sister Evie (whose naming ceremony I did just over 3 years ago!)

💚 Coins were chosen by everybody in attendance - from all over the world - symbolising Elijah’s family’s hopes for a future for their little boy, full of: adventure, exploration, embracing difference and diversity, learning about other cultures and countries. We included a song which teaches children to say ‘hello’ in different languages 🌍

💚 Elijah’s very clever Nana created his amazing rainbow cake 🌈👌🏼💫

💚 Always so special to be invited back to create and conduct ceremonies for families I’ve worked with before 🥰

Humanist Ceremonies

18/06/2024

💗 Fleur Elizabeth Selini💗

💗 Named and welcomed 16.6.24

💗No pics of the little lady herself, at her parents request, but a few snaps here to give a flavour of her beautiful

💗 It was of course and so as well as celebrating Fleur’s arrival in the world, we also celebrated her dad becoming a new father!

💗 A picnic on the lawn, a love-filled with planting and seed scattering (using the cutest petal spoons, given as keepsakes to all the guests). Then on to cake-cutting and champagne - all in the sunshine!

💗 It was the perfect afternoon, sharing promises, support and so much gratitude for a hugely loved child who was all-smiles throughout!

🤍

12/06/2024

🩵 Winona Raini Grace 🩵

🩵 Named and welcomed 9.6.24

🩵 A super chilled gathering and celebration for this little one

🩵 At Spring Gardens Nursery surrounded by her loving family, friends and guideparents

🩵 Promises were made and wishes for her future were shared

🩵 Winnie’s parents so thoughtfully added their mum and dad promises, to their humanist wedding vow booklets, to read from during the ceremony

🩵 We added Winnie’s ribbon to their wedding knot with a family handfasting

🩵 Such a moving, tender occasion, full of care and fun

🩵 Another gorgeous, heartwarming occasion to play a part in

🩵 How very fortunate I am to witness these amazing moments!

30/04/2024

🌞 Naming ceremony planning in the sunshine today

🌞 At the cutest venue

🌞 Where I’ll be returning, in the summer

🌞 To lead the celebrations for a beautiful family - welcoming their beloved baby daughter into the world

🌞 What an amazing privilege my job is 🤍

Humanist Ceremonies

28/05/2023

👒Wearing my other hat today - in my role as accreditation observer

👒 Witnessing a wonderful, happy in a private garden in beautiful rural Hampshire

👒 The sun shone, loving promises were made and in that moment, everything felt just right with the world

👒

03/03/2023

What exactly is a humanist naming ceremony? It's a superb way of welcoming a new little person to your family! Find out more on our blog: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/namings/blog/what-is-a-humanist-naming-ceremony/

01/01/2023

❤️Photos of me at work here, leading joyful naming ceremonies! Thank you Humanist Ceremonies for this great FAQs guide

❤️If you like the idea of a non-religious alternative to a christening, then a naming celebration is likely to be the perfect option

❤️I’m now taking naming ceremony bookings for spring and summer 2023

❤️If you’re considering this for your little one, drop me an email - [email protected] - for further info

Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about humanist naming ceremonies. More and more people are choosing this alternative to a Christening, so we've tried to answer the common questions here. Got a question we haven't answered? Please ask away! https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/humanist-namings/faqs/

20/11/2021

🌈 Keep calm and expect the unexpected . . . something of a theme running through today’s Baby Naming celebration at the historic Dome Cinema in Worthing

🌈 Imagine my surprise when, upon arrival, I was stopped at the door by security . . . in the form of three Ghost Busters!! 👻

🌈Delighted to be invited, by little Asta’s mums, whose wedding ceremony I’ll be conducting next year (originally planned for 2020 but postponed to 2022) and whose delayed nuptials have resulted in the joy of parenthood (much sooner than anticipated)!

🌈 So happy to hear from them a few months ago, with such wonderful news - and very honoured to be asked to lead their daughter’s Naming celebration, as well as their wedding next June!

🌈Opting for a splendid venue - the whispering gallery and atrium - up high in the cinema’s iconic dome - complete with sea views . . . it was such a memorable afternoon

🌈Four lovely guide parents made emotional commitments; all the guests wrote heartfelt hopes and wishes for baby Asta (which were hung on the branches of fairy lit trees); with beautiful music played and readings shared, including the brilliant Todd Parr’s ‘It’s OK To Be Different’

🌈 There was huge love in the air for the star of the show and she was an absolute dream - smiling her way through the whole ceremony - adoring all the attention!

🌈Such a special occasion to share in - thoroughly enjoyed by all ❤️

17/10/2021

⭐️My little helper today - Florence - whose I did, over 5 years ago - on her first birthday!

⭐️She was a complete star this afternoon . . . assisting me with her baby sister’s naming - handing out cards and pens, and collecting them up in a box that she had made herself especially

⭐️She even shared aloud a beautiful poem (read out superbly I must add) - wishing Alice all good things for her life ahead

⭐️Florence is an amazing, helpful and kind big and a marvellous role-model for Alice

⭐️A very special privilege to have been asked to lead both daughters’ naming for such a lovely - and to meet Florence again after all this time - and to know what a bright, warm and good person she is growing into

⭐️And all in a perfect setting for an autumnal day; in a relaxed, cosy pub overlooking a pretty village green

⭐️Another , love-filled occasion, ticked off the 2021 schedule - how lucky I am to share in such and !

15/10/2021

💫Me in action 👇🏼 leading a memorable, joy-filled - and one of my blog posts, giving some Namings insight (in case you’ve never been to a Naming before and want to find out what might happen and why!)

💫Thank you Humanist Ceremonies for the shout out and to Firefly Photographic Wedding & Event Photography and Videography for the lovely images🌟

By holding a naming ceremony, you are not only introducing a new person by name, you’re also expressing gratitude for their presence, marking your commitment to their welfare and happiness, and welcoming them as a precious, significant person in your life and the lives of your family and friends.

25/07/2021

😊Little Miss Sunshine AKA baby Evelyn, filled everyone with warmth and love, with her gorgeous smiles, at her naming ceremony today

😴Whilst she slept soundly in her proud dad’s arms for part of the celebrations, she was awake and curious, and keen to know what all the fuss was about, for the rest of the time!

😊Her cake was very fittingly, Little Miss and Mr Men themed, and it made a fabulous bright and bold centre-piece for the party space

😊Three honoured Guide Parents made heartfelt and truly beautiful commitments, and a feather gathering, which all the guests took part in, symbolised the support and affection genuinely felt for this longed-for little lady

😊The music playlist included, ‘You’ll Be In My Heart’ from Tarzan and ‘The Bare Necessities’ from The Jungle Book, which had some of the other children up and dancing!

😊A life affirming occasion - and despite having to be inside (plan B due to rain!) it really could not have been lovelier 💛

20/07/2021

💗To receive thanks is always much appreciated, though certainly never expected . . . but to be thanked by biscuit, chocolates and sugared almonds, is just amazing!!

💗Currently munching on one of these delicious works of art for my coffee break 😋😋😋

💗Such a beautiful, very kind gesture from Sunday’s naming family - how lucky I am to meet and work with such thoughtful, totally splendid humans 🥰

19/07/2021

🎉A birthday celebration and Naming Day combined yesterday (a whole year later than originally planned) for little Anna

🎉One of her grandmothers - who she was named after - was finally able to travel from Greece 🇬🇷 to attend

🎉Such an emotional, uplifting, buzzy gathering of family and friends, united in happiness and relief at being able to all be together at last

🎉A very memorable day, thoroughly enjoyed, beginning with the ceremony, which got the party well and truly started!

🎉The Guide Parents committed their pledges and Anna’s mum and dad made their promises💗

🎉There were beautiful pieces of music played, readings shared, a gift giving presentation included and a witnessed signing - all interspersed with stories, laughter and a few tears along the way - particularly from the proud grandmothers and parents

🎉The decorations were so pretty including this floral arch with gorgeous peonies, dahlias (my summer fave) and roses, expertly created by Liv and her team from Handpicked & Gathered 👌🏼🌸

🎉Wishing Anna (who especially enjoyed receiving her gifts!) and her loving family, all good things for the future . . .

11/07/2021

🐯🌿A really WILD naming ceremony, outside in the Sunday sunshine this morning

🐯🌿A fun-filled jungle-themed rip-roaring celebration (long awaited and very belated - for obvious reasons) for little Max, who clapped, cheered and happily growled (right on cue!) his way through the ceremony!

🐯🌿One of his favourite stories - the classic children’s tale, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, was included. Had to be done since the main character’s name is also Max!

🐯🌿A sand blending, which beautifully resembled tiger stripes, was created by Max, his brother, and their parents, to symbolise their togetherness and everlasting bond

🐯🌿A happy, lively, lovely gathering of family members and friends, united in their care and pride for the youngest member of their community

🐯🌿The music playlist was perfect, with everyone swaying and bopping along to: ‘The Circle Of Life’, ‘Hey Tiger’ and ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’

🐯🌿A complete joy and a pleasure . . .

22/05/2021

Humanist naming celebrant Stephanie Forster explains how she conducted a safe, socially distanced, outdoor naming ceremony for Ranjana and Adam's daughter Raaya, which was symbolic, meaningful, and unique to them.

23/04/2021

👶🏼Baby bookings are rolling in just now and I’m delighted to have been asked to create bespoke for such heartwarming, joyful occasions

👶🏼Several families have been in touch over the past fortnight, to arrange special days for their little ones - as they begin to plan long-awaited gatherings of their family members and precious friends

👶🏼A is a wonderful occasion, where we come together to celebrate and - and share for loved ones and our communities. We look ahead with and excitement for the future and make personal commitments and promises to the baby or young child

👶🏼We acknowledge and share stories of their arrival in the world and their journey so far

👶🏼They are very memorable days that are always a huge treat to be a part of and I’m so looking forward to getting back to doing them this summer!

10/04/2021

🌱💚So looking forward to leading Naming celebrations this summer! The perfect excuse to gather together all those you’ve missed this past year - to affirm life and love and share gratitude in a very personalised way, for all that your little ones bring to your world.💚🌱

Humanist naming celebrant Stephanie Forster explains how she conducted a safe, socially distanced, outdoor naming ceremony for Ranjana and Adam's daughter Raaya, which was symbolic, meaningful, and unique to them.