Below is an example showing how different sections from each of the 3 scripts might be combined. The personal details are for a fictional family.
(Click HERE to see how this script looks without the personal details added.)
Welcome (Script 2)
“Welcome everyone, friends and family of both Sasha, Andrea and Paul, to this most wonderful occasion of Sasha’s Naming Ceremony. A ceremony such as ours, is an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of family and those who are united in our lives. For today we get to share in Andrea and Paul’s joy of Sasha, to officially present her into our lives, to express our best hopes for her future, and to make our own commitments to her as she grows throughout her life.”
Your Baby’s Story
Sasha came into Paul and Andrea’s life after many years of wanting to be a family. She is a much loved and longed for baby, and on 3rd December 2018 she entered the world.
Both of her parents and grandparents have been delighted at each milestone she’s achieved, from learning to sit up by herself, getting her first tooth, and even attempting to feed herself – although more of it ends up on her bib than in her mouth!
Andrea and Paul can’t ever imagine life without her in it. They never knew that they could love a little person as much as they love Sasha, and are so very happy to be a wonderful family together and feel so blessed that they’ll get to watch Sasha grow into a young woman and all the things she’ll do and achieve in her many years ahead.
Introducing Baby’s Name (Script 1)
“Paul and Andrea, what full name have you chosen for your daughter?
– Parents: “Sasha Jamie Hansen”
“Sasha Jamie Hansen, with your names chosen and given to you, may you grow into them, bringing your character and personality, ever more fully into this world and into your community of family and friends, to which you belong.”
Poem
Love you more by James Carter
Do we love you to the moon and back?
No we love you more than that
We love you to the desert sands
the mountains, stars, the planets and
We love you to the deepest sea
and deeper still through history
Before beyond we love you then
We love you now, we’ll love you when
The sun’s gone out, the moon’s gone home
and all the stars are fully grown
When we no longer say these words
we’ll give them to the wind, the birds
so that they will still be heard
We love you
Parent Wishes (Script 3)
“As parents you will have wishes for your daughter, some will be fulfilled, and some will take shape in another form. Having searched your hearts, please speak the wishes you have for Sasha”
– Parents: “We wish for her to have a love for learning through life. For her to have many good friends to explore with. For her to be happy and healthy, and that there will be people to help her overcome any difficulties in life. Most importantly for her to know that she is loved by us all.”
Parent Pledge (Script 1)
“Andrea and Paul, I now ask you to make a vow, that you pledge to keep for the rest of your days, by answering “We do” to this question.”
“Do you vow to love and nurture, support and encourage, protect and guide Sasha, into achieving all the things you wish for her and more, as she grows into adulthood and beyond?
– Parents: “We do”
Guide-Parent Introduction (Script 2)
“Please can Mandi and Scott come forward now.”
“Andrea and Paul have invited you to take a special interest in Sasha’s life and be her Guide-parents. In doing so you commit to help guide Sasha through her life, provide open arms to embrace her in difficult times, and add to the love and care that her parents bring.”
Guide-Parent Pledge (Script 2)
“Scott and Mandi please now make your promises as Guide-parents by repeating these words after me”
“As a Guide-parent to Sasha, I endeavour,
to be there for her when she needs me,
to encourage her to reach her goals,
And to love and care for her as she grows.”
“Please seal the promise you’ve just made to Sasha, by giving her a kiss on her head.”
Gathering Wishes (Script 3)
(Small blank cards and writing utensils will have been given out at the start of the ceremony)
“We know that children thrive from words of encouragement and knowing that those around them wish the best for them. However, words alone can be fleeting and easy to forget. So you’re all invited to capture your heartfelt wishes, greatest hopes or loving advice for Sasha on your cards. After today your cards will be placed somewhere special, so that in the many years to come Sasha can refer to your words, gaining strength, guidance and love as she travels along her path through life.”
“Please write on your cards now.” (Background music can be played at this point)
“Thank you for participating and at the end of the ceremony please place your cards in the special box which Sasha’s parents will take home with them.”
Closing Words (Script 2)
“To conclude our ceremony, Sasha’s parents have chosen this saying by Wess Stafford. It says, “Children are more than we think they are; they can do more than we think they can do. All they need is a vote of confidence from grownups.”
“In the months and years ahead, let us all remember those words, as we delight in the joy of this baby’s life. And let us share that joy now, by applauding in celebration of Sasha Jamie Hansen”
(Everyone applauds)
Below is an example showing how different sections from each of the 3 scripts might be combined. The personal details are for a fictional family.
(Click HERE to see how this script looks without the personal details added.)
Welcome (Script 2)
“Welcome everyone, friends and family of both Sasha, Andrea and Paul, to this most wonderful occasion of Sasha’s Naming Ceremony. A ceremony such as ours, is an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of family and those who are united in our lives. For today we get to share in Andrea and Paul’s joy of Sasha, to officially present her into our lives, to express our best hopes for her future, and to make our own commitments to her as she grows throughout her life.”
Your Baby’s Story
Sasha came into Paul and Andrea’s life after many years of wanting to be a family. She is a much loved and longed for baby, and on 3rd December 2018 she entered the world.
Both of her parents and grandparents have been delighted at each milestone she’s achieved, from learning to sit up by herself, getting her first tooth, and even attempting to feed herself – although more of it ends up on her bib than in her mouth!
Andrea and Paul can’t ever imagine life without her in it. They never knew that they could love a little person as much as they love Sasha, and are so very happy to be a wonderful family together and feel so blessed that they’ll get to watch Sasha grow into a young woman and all the things she’ll do and achieve in her many years ahead.
Introducing Baby’s Name (Script 1)
“Paul and Andrea, what full name have you chosen for your daughter?
– Parents: “Sasha Jamie Hansen”
“Sasha Jamie Hansen, with your names chosen and given to you, may you grow into them, bringing your character and personality, ever more fully into this world and into your community of family and friends, to which you belong.”
Poem
Love you more by James Carter
Do we love you to the moon and back?
No we love you more than that
We love you to the desert sands
the mountains, stars, the planets and
We love you to the deepest sea
and deeper still through history
Before beyond we love you then
We love you now, we’ll love you when
The sun’s gone out, the moon’s gone home
and all the stars are fully grown
When we no longer say these words
we’ll give them to the wind, the birds
so that they will still be heard
We love you
Parent Wishes (Script 3)
“As parents you will have wishes for your daughter, some will be fulfilled, and some will take shape in another form. Having searched your hearts, please speak the wishes you have for Sasha”
– Parents: “We wish for her to have a love for learning through life. For her to have many good friends to explore with. For her to be happy and healthy, and that there will be people to help her overcome any difficulties in life. Most importantly for her to know that she is loved by us all.”
Parent Pledge (Script 1)
“Andrea and Paul, I now ask you to make a vow, that you pledge to keep for the rest of your days, by answering “We do” to this question.”
“Do you vow to love and nurture, support and encourage, protect and guide Sasha, into achieving all the things you wish for her and more, as she grows into adulthood and beyond?
– Parents: “We do”
Guide-Parent Introduction (Script 2)
“Please can Mandi and Scott come forward now.”
“Andrea and Paul have invited you to take a special interest in Sasha’s life and be her Guide-parents. In doing so you commit to help guide Sasha through her life, provide open arms to embrace her in difficult times, and add to the love and care that her parents bring.”
Guide-Parent Pledge (Script 2)
“Scott and Mandi please now make your promises as Guide-parents by repeating these words after me”
“As a Guide-parent to Sasha, I endeavour,
to be there for her when she needs me,
to encourage her to reach her goals,
And to love and care for her as she grows.”
“Please seal the promise you’ve just made to Sasha, by giving her a kiss on her head.”
Gathering Wishes (Script 3)
(Small blank cards and writing utensils will have been given out at the start of the ceremony)
“We know that children thrive from words of encouragement and knowing that those around them wish the best for them. However, words alone can be fleeting and easy to forget. So you’re all invited to capture your heartfelt wishes, greatest hopes or loving advice for Sasha on your cards. After today your cards will be placed somewhere special, so that in the many years to come Sasha can refer to your words, gaining strength, guidance and love as she travels along her path through life.”
“Please write on your cards now.” (Background music can be played at this point)
“Thank you for participating and at the end of the ceremony please place your cards in the special box which Sasha’s parents will take home with them.”
Closing Words (Script 2)
“To conclude our ceremony, Sasha’s parents have chosen this saying by Wess Stafford. It says, “Children are more than we think they are; they can do more than we think they can do. All they need is a vote of confidence from grownups.”
“In the months and years ahead, let us all remember those words, as we delight in the joy of this baby’s life. And let us share that joy now, by applauding in celebration of Sasha Jamie Hansen”
(Everyone applauds)