One page for the service and the party
A christening has a church and a time, then a house or a hall and a different time. A naming ceremony has a venue and a celebrant, then lunch. Both go on one page with a map for each, so nobody arrives at the pub for the service. Guests who are only coming to the party see the party; the family who are coming to both see both. A bar or bat mitzvah works the same way, with the service and the party on one page.
What goes on a christening invitation
- The baby's name, as you say it, and the parents.
- The church or venue, the date and the time of the service.
- The godparents or guideparents, if you want to name them.
- The party after: where, when it starts, roughly when it ends.
- Who is welcome: siblings, the whole family, "children very welcome".
- Gifts, if you have a view; "no gifts" or "a book for the shelf".
- A reply-by date and how many.
Our guide to naming ceremony invitation wording has fourteen examples for a civil naming, a humanist naming day and a christening.
Replies that tell you numbers
The reply form asks for a yes or no, how many are coming and any dietary needs, and you can add a question of your own: "the service, the party or both?" is the one most families add. Each household can have its own link with their names on it, so grandparents see "Dear Nana and Grandad" and a reply form for two. You see who has not replied a week before the caterer calls.
Designs that suit a christening
Minimal with a photograph of the baby is the usual choice. Classic suits a church service and a traditional card. Editorial works for a naming day with a longer note about the guideparents. Every design has a gallery for the photographs afterwards.
The first birthday is the same page
Change the date and the wording, send the link again. The first birthday invitation wording guide has the lines for a year on.
What it costs
£40 one-off, VAT included, for any number of guests, live for a year. That is the launch offer; the usual price is £59. Nothing to pay until you send it.
Good questions
- Can we invite some people to the service and everyone to the party?
- Yes. Every household can have its own link with its own note at the top, and the reply form can ask which parts they are coming to.
- Do guests need an account?
- No. They open the link from a text message and reply from their phone or computer.
- Can we add the godparents and a photograph?
- Yes. Name the godparents or guideparents in the story section and add photographs to the gallery.
- Does it work for a baptism or a dedication?
- Yes. The headings are yours to change, so a baptism, a dedication or a naming day read as they should.
Make yours this evening.
Preview it on your phone. Pay once when it’s right.