Ceremony Type: Naming
Our naming ceremony: Saskia, Greg and baby Bram
Parents Greg and Saskia welcomed baby Bram with a humanist naming ceremony held in their garden. Guide parents and their nearest and dearest joined to celebrate.
Real ceremony stories: Rosa and Rory’s naming ceremony
Parents Lisa and Doug held a joint humanist naming ceremony for their children, Rory (5 months old) and Rosa (4 years old) at their local dance studio in Stewarton.
Real ceremony stories: Paige’s naming ceremony
Parents Emma and Steven celebrated the arrival of daughter Paige with a joint first birthday and humanist naming ceremony celebration attended by friends and family in Greenock.
Our naming ceremony: Tracey, Craig and baby Leo
Tracey and Craig knew they wanted to celebrate the arrival of their baby boy Leo but initially didn’t know about humanist naming ceremonies. When a family member suggested this to them, they agreed it would be a special way to…
Our naming ceremony: Julie, Andrew and baby Sébastien
After marrying at Mansion House Edinburgh Zoo in 2018, parents Julie and Andrew returned for a humanist naming ceremony to welcome their baby son Sébastien.
Biodegradable stationery
Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to find stationery that’s printed on recycled paper or uses alternative materials, such as vegetable inks. Seed paper is a biodegradable material that sprouts into flowers when planted in a pot of soil. You could…
DIY decor
No matter how beautiful your venue is, you might want to decorate it to set the backdrop for your ceremony and reception. The most commonly used elements (besides flowers) are signs, centrepieces, mirrors, picture frames, and candles. Some venues might…
Fair food and drink
Ask your venue or your outside catering company to consider seasonal, local, organic and fairtrade ingredients. Also source any wine, beer and other drinks from suppliers that are as local to your venue as possible. The more local, the smaller…
Sustainable ceremonies
Thinking about how you can make your ceremony and celebration more sustainable and eco-friendly? As humanists, we believe that we have just this one life. We have a responsibility not only to our fellow human beings but also to other…
Guideparents and guardians
Like all Humanist Society Scotland ceremonies, our naming and welcoming ceremonies are inclusive and you can incorporate whoever you like, however you like. That includes the non-religious equivalent of a ‘godparent’ – often known as guideparents and guardians. They can…
The difference between a humanist and a celebrant
What’s the difference between a humanist and a celebrant? People often think humanists and celebrants are the same thing. A humanist is a person with humanist beliefs, and a humanist celebrant is a person that conducts humanist weddings, funerals, and…