For absolutely fabulous Naming Day Ceremonies conducted by Lynne Stapleton in Toowoomba, Brisbane and surrounding cities in the country or on the coast of South-East Queensland ...

Naming Day Ceremonies can be conducted anywhere, anytime, but I consider the best time and place for a Naming Day Ceremony is 11.00am on a Sunday morning, in your own home or back yard if possible.  You have all your facilities, food and drinks handy and everyone is feeling relaxed.  I will conduct the Ceremony, and then you can fire up the barbeque for your invited guests.  It's absolutely fabulous in every way, yet simple and meaningful.

"Lynne was very professional, and did a lot of research and preparation which made it a memorable day.  The Ceremony was beautiful.  Lynne included all family members which brought a tear to my eye.  Lynne was like an old friend.  We will treasure  this day for a very long time because you did such a wonderful job. A joyful time was had by all, so I can't thank you enough."  (Simone and Jason) 

A Naming Day Ceremony (sometimes called a Name Giving Ceremony) welcomes a precious child to the family circle. I consider it a privilege to be invited to share in your family’s special, unique and joyous occasion.

Each child brings a new level to the experience of being parents, with consequent effects upon our lives. It is a completion of the birthing process, and the start of the next level of development.

Your little one's Naming Day Ceremony can include religious readings and rituals if you wish, but you are not restricted in choosing the venue for your family's special celebration.  Leanne and Andrew welcome Jacob to the world.  

For younger couples, such a ceremony may be recognition of their transition into parenthood. In today’s multicultural society, Naming Day Ceremonies may be held for infants, young children, adolescents or adults who did not have their celebration earlier, or who may be changing their names for whatever reason.

The giving of a name is an important rite in any society.

Throughout our journey in life, the name we carry enriches and strengthens our personal power, and implicit within that power are our personal qualities and characteristics. As human beings, we create images of ourselves in the world and our actions are guided by those images.

A personalised Naming Day Ceremony provides images for the child being validated and welcomed, as well as for the parents and the community. The rituals performed are an extrinsic expression of the human need to belong – to be part of something larger than ourselves – and provide the opportunity to express in a meaningful and joyous way the good wishes and blessings being extended to the child.

The gorgeous little Miss Zoe-Jane and her parents, Melanie and Cole.


The ceremony simultaneously celebrates the birth (or adoption or fostering) of a child and designates the new roles of parents, Grandparents and Godparents (sometimes called Guardians or Mentors). Sometimes, newly blended families wish to formalise the new names of the children with a Naming Day. Not only is the ceremony a joyous expression of welcome to the family circle and the wider community, it is also a reminder of the great responsibility involved in raising a child, and a formal mechanism to recognise and appoint the Godparents and other significant adults, such as Grandparents, who will have important roles in the nurturing the child and supporting the child's development.

Naming Day Ceremonies may include religious elements from any faith, if the parents so desire. However, it is equally important to note that in this time of increasing multiculturalism, a personalised Naming Day Ceremony may exclude any mention of religion. This does not preclude a religious Christening or Baptism at a later date when children mature and choose their own spiritual path and values. Specific prayers or religious readings may be included if requested.

Alternatively, beautifully crafted poems, lyrics to relevant songs or literary readings may be selected. The design of a civil Naming Day Ceremony and its inclusions are choices for the parents to make, confident in the knowledge that their chosen celebrant will be totally supportive.

In preparing for your Naming Day, I shall spend time getting to know your family to ensure that I create a ceremony that perfectly reflects your needs, your beliefs, your values and the unique qualities of your child and your child’s heritage. I shall ensure that my ceremony includes Grandparents, Godparents (Guardians or Mentors), siblings of the child and any special family members or friends that you wish to be actively involved or receive a special mention.

Often it is very important to give special recognition to absent loved ones too.

A Naming Day Ceremony may be held shortly after the birth of the child, or later during the child’s first year. It may also be held as part of the celebrations on the child’s first birthday, but there are no age limits. Sometimes brothers and sisters are named at the same celebration because they did not have such a ceremony when they were younger. The Naming Day Ceremony may be held at home or any other place of your choice.

Personalised pledges made by the parents and the Godparents and read aloud in front of those present may form part of the ceremony, or such pledges may be simplified by the celebrant asking the questions and the parents and Godparents giving a simple response of agreement.

Creative inclusions in the ceremony may include symbols such as items of family significance or cultural heritage, candles, or flowers. A highly recommended inclusion is the Treasure Trove of Wishes (or Blessings). This is a small and beautiful box containing cards on which all guests are invited to write their special wishes for the child’s future. These wishes (or blessings) may then be read aloud within the Ceremony (either by the individuals or by the Celebrant).

Personalised certificates can be designed and presented to your child and to the Godparents if desired. The presentation of the certificates is highly recommended as the appropriate timing for photographs to be taken to commemorate the special occasion. In addition, a Naming Day cake often follows the Ceremony and this could also be included in family photographs.

I look forward to designing your personalised Naming Day Ceremony. 

Remember our first meeting is totally free of charge and obligation free too. 

Call me any time on 0439 714 485 or email me with any enquiries:  abfabweddings@bigpond.com