CAST Academy · For clients
Planning a christening and reception
A christening is two events in one: the baptism at church and the celebration after. The church part has requirements you can't skip, so start there. The reception can be as simple or as big as your family likes.
Start with the parish
Choose the church and ask the parish office about their schedule and requirements early. Many parishes hold baptisms on set days and need you to register a few weeks ahead.
Requirements differ by parish, but they often include:
- The baby's birth certificate
- The parents' marriage certificate, if married in church
- A baptismal seminar for parents and godparents
- The names of the godparents
Ask about anything else they need, like a donation, a candle or a white garment, and whether there's a limit on the number of godparents.
Choose the godparents
Godparents (ninong and ninang) are an important part of the day and of the child's life after. Choose them early, ask them personally, and tell them about the seminar and the schedule. Many parishes ask that the main godparents are baptized and confirmed Catholics, so check the rules before you ask.
Plan the reception
Most families hold a lunch or merienda after the baptism. Choose a venue close to the church so guests don't get lost or arrive late. Think about the people who'll be there: babies and young children, grandparents and older relatives. A quiet corner for feeding and changing the baby helps a lot.
Book these first:
- Reception venue
- Caterer, if not included with the venue
- Photographer, for both the church and the reception
- Stylist or simple decorations
Souvenirs, a cake and invitations can follow.
Keep the day calm
Babies have their own schedule. Plan the day around naps and feeding, and keep the program short: a welcome, a prayer, lunch, a word of thanks to the godparents, and photos. Ask a relative to look after the gifts and the guest book so the parents can enjoy the day.
A simple timeline
- 3 months before: Choose the parish and date. Ask about requirements. Choose the godparents. Book the reception venue.
- 2 months before: Book the caterer and photographer. Send invitations to the godparents and guests.
- 1 month before: Attend the baptismal seminar. Submit the documents to the parish. Order souvenirs and the cake.
- 2 weeks before: Confirm the godparents and the guest count.
- 1 week before: Confirm the church schedule and every supplier. Prepare the baby's outfit and bag.
Quick checklist
- Parish, date and requirements confirmed
- Godparents chosen and told about the seminar
- Reception venue and caterer booked
- Seminar attended and documents submitted
- Final guest count sent to the caterer
- Baby's outfit and bag ready
In CAST: start your christening with Plan an Event, then add the ready-made christening steps to your event's Checklist.