"What's in a name?" Well, Shakespeare,
names can mean everything.
Your name…
It's often the first thing you share with people, one of the first words you learn to write, part of the first sentences you hear others say to you. Your name tells a story about who you are, how you belong in the world, and how you want others to know you.
Your name holds a story
about who you are.
Naming ceremonies are for everybody.
Tiny humans, new families, trans+ folk, people reclaiming their names or starting afresh... naming ceremonies are for everyone.
Whether you're celebrating the arrival of new or adopted humans or pets, or a union of families, a naming ceremony is a way of honouring who you are and announcing your belonging to a family, a community.
Naming ceremonies are beautiful ways to mark a new chapter in your life, to tell people who you truly are or reintroduce yourself. The names we're given at birth don't always fit right, and the names we acquire from past relationships sometimes need to be released to begin afresh.
If you've ever felt pressure to change your name to fit in, and you'd like to reclaim and announce proudly who you are to those who matter to you, a naming ceremony can be a beautiful and healing act of self love.
Together, we'll create something wonderful.
I grew up with my name constantly misspelled, mispronounced, and sometimes mocked. My name made me feel different at a time when I wanted to be just like everyone else. In adulthood, I've learned to love my name and who I am. My lived experience has taught me about how significant names are.
As a trans-inclusive, culturally competent celebrant, I love honouring you for all that you are. I will always respect your name, pronouns, culture and story.
So, what's in a naming ceremony? The short answer is anything you like!
Your ceremony, your way
You might want to focus on the the meaning of your name, a symbolic element that personifies you, the chance to share your story, celebratory words and promises from people who love you (including appointed guardians, guide parents, or anyone else!), channel your hobbies and passions... the options are endless.
Together, we'll create something wonderful: your ceremony, your way.
“Who’s in a name?” ceremony package
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Writing and delivering a bespoke ceremony that joyfully reflects and celebrates you
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Taking the time to get to know you and your chosen loved ones for priceless ceremony creation research
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Support for you and your loved ones with your speech-writing, performing readings, including feedback and public speaking help, and how to participate confidently in symbolic elements.
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Regular check-ins and unlimited telephone support before the big day.
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A copy of your ceremony script to cherish forever.
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Travel within 40 miles of Crowthorne train station is included in this package. Travel beyond this distance is charged at £0.45 per mile.
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I will require overnight accommodation for travel more than 2.5-hours drive from my home.
Ceremony costs: Inclusion is priceless
My prices reflect the value and quality of my work and I give my best to everybody who works with me. That said, everybody deserves an inclusive and authentic ceremony, whatever their budget.
Allyship: £550 (standard price)
This is a fair financial reflection of the cost of my ceremonies and all the work that goes into them, and it is the option most people choose. This tier is for people that are able to pay their bills on time, save a little money, and treat themselves to small luxuries from time to time, such as meals out, trips to the theatre and holidays without experiencing financial hardship.
It doesn’t mean you have an unlimited ceremony budget, or that you don’t have any challenges in life, of course. It just means that you can afford to pay the monetary price of my work for a truly priceless, inclusive and authentic ceremony. This price helps to sustain my business.
Belonging: £450
This is the price my services have been for the past three years.
It is about 18% cheaper than my standard price (the allyship tier) to help address financial inequity you may be facing. For example, the disability pay gap according to Trades Union Congress data in November 2024, was an average of 17.2% and will undoubtedly have increased this year.
This tier is for people who receive a low income and/or benefits and have little to no financial help with their wedding/love celebration ceremony. It is for those who simply cannot afford the Allyship price.
There is no difference to what you receive from me – a truly inclusive and authentic ceremony – but hopefully with a significant reduction in financial stress for those who really need it.
The celebrant-client relationship is entirely dependent on being honest with each other so I can create a ceremony that really reflects and honours who you are. I’m bringing this spirit of trust and mutual respect into my pricing, too; if you need it, this price is open to you, no questions asked.
Radical love: £650
This price is for those who feel financially secure and who have the freedom and desire to make my ceremonies more accessible for people who need it by offsetting the Belonging price reduction.
Booking me at this price is a way for people to share their privilege with an act of radical love towards strangers equally deserving of celebration.
Please note that these prices all include 40 miles of travel each way. Additional travel will be charged at the standard rate of £0.45 per mile. If your venue is more than 2.5 hours’ drive from me, I will require overnight accommodation.
Aliya is a complete natural at celebrancy - her storytelling is top quality, and she has the
most engaging and warm style. I love her focus on inclusivity and diversity within the wedding industry, and her storytelling and delivery really reflects this.
Roxy Hotten, Celebrant mentor
A complete natural