Naming ceremony
Celebrate the arrival of your baby
Naming ceremonies are a unique and personal way of welcoming a child into the family and wider community for those who prefer a secular (non-religious) ceremony.
The Ceremony is designed to meet your individual needs and provide a formal opportunity to:
- Celebrate the arrival of a baby
- Welcome your child (children) into the family
- Announce the name(s) you have chosen and if appropriate explain the reasons behind the choice
- Make promises of commitment and support to your child
- Choose other adults to pledge their commitment to support your child
The venue
Your Naming ceremony can take place at any of our Ceremony venues in Wakefield.
Once you have chosen and reserved your venue you need to book a ceremony date and time using your online booking form. If you have chosen a ceremony room in Wakefield or Pontefract Town Halls, our online booking form will reserve this room for you. Any other venue, please liaise with them directly.
Book your ceremony or reschedule
Once you have chosen your venue. You’ll need to reserve a date and time for your ceremony. Our online form isn’t connected to our online diary, so we’ll need to confirm availability before finalising your booking.
Bookings must be made online, not over the telephone. You’ll receive confirmation within 5 days. Please note, ceremonies must be arranged at least 8 weeks in advance.
You can also use this form to reschedule an existing booking.
The ceremony
When you have booked a celebrant we will provide you with our Naming Ceremony Guide which outlines the choices you need to make in advance of the ceremony.
If you wish to change the date, time or location of your ceremony you must request this in writing and pay a ceremony amendment fee.
Your booking is confirmed when you have made final payment and returned your ceremony arrangement form 8 weeks prior to the ceremony.
Fees for our Celebrate Services
Find out more information about fees for our Celebrate Services.