Holding space for celebrations
A naming day and the start of my journey into celebrancy
A few weeks ago, I stood in front of a room full of family and friends and led a naming ceremony for my friends second child. It was one of those quiet, powerful moments that stay with you.
I have known them since they were very early in their pregnancy with their first child. We met at a PBY Cheshire Pudding club, one of the first ones. We were still finding our feet as PBY Cheshire and trying to work out what we wanted to be.
That night I met a couple who were early in in their pregnancy and trying to work out what they wanted birth and parenting to look like for them. We chatted a little and worked out they were booked on an upcoming NCT antenatal course I was facilitating later in the year.
Since that first meeting I realised how focused, considered and passionate they both are in their approach to not just birth and parenting but to life.
Following their antenatal course we have stayed in touch. They became firm fixtures at both PBY Cheshire events and the local homebirth group I support. Always offering insight, research and encouragement to other parents. Through this we became friends, and got to know each other better. Through that friendship they have supported me as much as I have supported them. We have grown closer and shared our family milestones with each other.
Soon came the news that they were expecting another baby. Along came their second little human and I have seen them navigate the path of parenting two children with the same consideration, care and focus as one. Always being there for their first whilst being there for their second. Their confidence in themselves as parents has grown, despite the challenges of parenting a baby and toddler combined.
It’s been pretty amazing to see and even play a small part in the journey they are on.
At the end of their antenatal course, I said what I always say: “If there is ever anything I can do let me know.”
And that saw me standing in front of a group of their family and friends leading them through a celebration of their second child.
They had decided not to go for a celebrant for the naming ceremony had planned to do things themselves, but as time went on for them this just didn’t feel right. They approached me to act as unofficial celebrant as we have known each other for a number of years and supported each other through many transitions.
What is a celebrant?
A celebrant is a person who officiates or leads ceremonies, such as naming days, weddings, vow renewals, and funerals. They specialise in creating highly personalised ceremonies tailored to the specific wishes, beliefs, and stories of the individuals or families they are working with.
Celebrants can be linked to a religion or faith, or independent and non-religious. A celebrant will focus on the narrative and stories behind the event and those included in it. Their services are not generally legally binding, but focused on intention and meaning.
Why would you choose one?
- Complete Personalisation: You get the opportunity to work with them to create a ceremony from scratch to tell your unique personal story.
- No Venue Restrictions: You can hold the ceremony anywhere, including beaches, forests, or private gardens.
- Flexible Timing: There are no strict time slots, allowing your ceremony to flow at a pace that works for you.
- Creative Freedom: You can include any music, unique rituals, or custom vows or promises you want.
- Mixed Beliefs: You can blend different elements together and include other in a way that feels right for you.
- Personal Connection: You and your celebrant can spend time getting to know each other before the day.
My role as a celebrant
On the day my role was to lead everyone through the purpose of the ceremony, share the names chosen and how they came to be, include and introduce readings, and tie the ceremony together.
My favourite moment was taking the family through their promises this wonderful little human. I had created some special promises for her big sister make, and it was a beautiful moment to lead her through them.
Honestly, it was such an honour to be asked. It is something that has always fluttered around as something I would like to explore, something that I felt drawn to. Kat my doula buddy and I have completed a training course on leading and celebrating mother blessings.
That training and the mother blessings we have facilitated has ignited something in me. I have always been fascinated by the transitions in life, the way we mark the paths of change and how that impacts relationships and those involved.
What next?
A couple of years ago I explored the idea of becoming a celebrant for more than just mother blessings. However, the time wasn’t quite right to do the training but now I am planning on how the make that training work.
I have realised that being there to support people through the transitions of life, through both beginnings and endings, feels like a natural extension of who I am and the work I am drawn to do. It means a great deal to witness these moments, to hold space for them, and to help shape ceremonies that reflect the people at their heart. Whether it is welcoming a new child into a family, marking a change in life, or honouring a farewell. These are the moments that matter deeply, and I feel grateful that I might get to play a small part in them.
My next task to move towards this is identifying some training that will allow me to build the skills and knowledge that will enable me to embrace my future supporting all the transitions of life.
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