Annette Jones - Baby Naming Celebrant

A baby naming ceremony is a distinctive way of celebrating baby's birth and welcoming the new arrival to family and friends. Annette Jones JP conducts personalised baby naming ceremonies in the Riverina region of New South Wales since 2003.

Annette Jones JP

Baby Naming Celebrant

I have been conducting baby naming ceremonies in the Riverina and South West Slopes Districts of New South Wales, Australia since 2003. I'm based at Wagga Wagga and travel within a radius of about 100 km to conduct these ceremonies.

My ceremonies are tailored to suit the wishes of the parents, the involvement of the other children, and the level of formality of the surroundings, including homes, gardens and parks.

A baby naming ceremony is a distinctive way of celebrating the birth of your baby and welcoming the new arrival into your circle of family and friends.

As an alternative to a religious christening or baptism, baby naming ceremonies are a fantastic opportunity - before family and friends - to promise your child you’ll be the best parents you could possibly be.

The ceremony is a chance to remind all concerned of the great responsibility involved in bringing up a child, and to recognise and appoint those who will have an important role in your child's development. During the ceremony parents are reminded and made more fully aware of their responsibilities, as are the godparents and grandparents.

The naming celebration of your child is a unique and special occasion for everyone to feel involved and to offer their love and support for your child's future.

Preparation
I meet with the parents before the festive day to ascertain their wishes about the content of the ceremony, the parts to be played by the grand-parents, godparents and brothers and sisters of the new arrival. I explain the content and modify it to suit family traditions and personal beliefs. Sometimes parents have chosen to name more than one child in the same ceremony.

A typical ceremony will include:
• An introduction by the celebrant
• Readings and poems (chosen by the parents if desired)
• Introduction of the grandparents
• Promises of the godparents
• The name giving
• The candle ceremony
• The strewing of the rose petals
• Closing words


The parents are presented with a personalised Certificate of Name Giving, and the godparents a Certificate of Appointment as Godparents.
The parents also receive a presentation copy of the ceremony, and the candle used in the candle ceremony.

This is your special day. I promise to make it special for you and your baby.