CHRISTENING PLANNER

As soon as practical after the birth of your child

Contact your church or the church where you want the christening to be performed and find out when they have a christening service. Some will christen your child with a few weeks’ notice. Some may request that the parents have a conversation with the priest or pastor and some prefer to schedule christening events on special days during the church year.

6 months before the christening date

Decide what type of gown or suit you want for your child. If you want a made to measure or off the rack gown, then this item can be delayed until a few weeks before the event. If you want a bespoke gown, begin to make arrangements for one to be made at this point.
Contact your church and begin the process of completing the necessary preparation and paperwork. Also establish a date for the event.
Make a guest list.
Determine who the Godparents will be and make sure they can be available to attend, especially if they have to travel for the event.
Decide what you want to do after the ceremony. Will it be a small affair with family at home or an event that will require you to book a facility and services? If you want to have an event at a facility, begin that planning now.

4 months before the christening date

If you want an heirloom christening gown or suit that is made to measure with custom embroidery, it is time to make those arrangements now.

2 months before the christening date

Re-confirm the event date before you have invitations printed.
If you plan to engage a printing service for invitations, do this now.
Key individuals that need to be at the event and those that may need to travel via plane should be sent a “save the date” notification.
Grandparents and great-grandparents may need help if they have to make hotel and transportation arrangements. Although a little early, these can be handled now so that this task doesn’t become a source of stress later.
If you intend to hire a photographer, do that now. If you intend to have a friend or family member do the honors using your camera, then make sure your camera is in good working order. If not, you will need time to get it fixed or replaced.
If you are having an heirloom gown made and have not received it, confirm that delivery is still on schedule.

1 month before the christening date

Send the invitations and call or email the recipients to let them know to expect their invitation in the mail shortly.
If you have decided to buy a christening gown or suit that is pre-made, it is time to do that now.
Regardless of the gown, it is time to buy the post-christening outfit.
If you plan to preserve the christening gown or suit after the event, it is time to decide where it will be going for preservation.

2 weeks before the christening date

If the christening is to be an event for a family portrait, schedule that photo session now. It is recommended that the portrait session be done after the christening as to guarantee that the gown will be in finest condition for the actual event. If the gown is stained during the events of christening day, it can be cleaned or replaced for the photo session.
Confirm travel plans, lodging arrangements etc. with key people for the event.
If you are having a catered affair post-christening, verify that all of the plans are still on course.
If you need to order a cake for a reception, do that now.

1 week before the christening date

The night before

Make sure the christening outfit is ready.
Pack for the event. Make sure you have a warm blanket, especially if you will be away from home for some time. In addition to things for your child, do not forget cameras, batteries (buy or charge), and media.

Christening Day

Dress your child at the church. Child seats are hard enough to cope with, never mind the larger than usual gown or thicker than usual suit.
Enjoy.