A christening party can be a quiet afternoon with family and friends, with or without a church service. Decide where you will gather and which practical jobs you want to take on. The rest can stay simple.
Venue: home, a hall or somewhere outdoors
Celebrating at home is lovely, but think about coats, toilets, pushchairs and the clean-up. A restaurant or small hall can take work off your hands. Ask for a quote that spells out what is included; costs vary by place. If you plan to be outdoors, have a rain option.
Timing: keep it short
For an afternoon party, you could use this order, allowing for feeding and breaks:
- 1.11 am: service, if planned
- 2.12 pm: guests gather for drinks
- 3.1 pm: lunch or simple snacks
- 4.3 pm: cake and coffee
- 5.4 pm: wind down
Invitations: small and personal
Send invitations once the date and venue are confirmed. Give guests travelling farther a little more notice. For a church service, confirm the time with the church first. Still deciding whom to ask? Read our guide to asking someone to be a godparent.
Decoration: less is more
A few flowers or a simple tablecloth may be enough. See what you can reuse and what the venue provides before buying anything. Costs depend on season, supplier and how much you need.
Activities for children and adults
Keep a quiet spot for the baby and some books or crayons for older children. Adults can then catch up without a full programme.
Guests who want to can write a wish for the child to read years from now. Put the notes away together. You can find more ideas for baby-shower memories.
Photos: how to get everything back without hiring a photographer
Not every family hires a photographer for a christening. When guests take pictures, they often end up on different phones. You can place a small QR code on the table so guests can share photos and videos in one album without installing an app. Ask everyone to be considerate about images of children.
That way you might see moments you missed. Partylio is one option for collecting those pictures via QR code; check the pricing page for current features and rates. You can also simply ask guests to send their pictures afterwards.
Favours and christening sweets
Favours are optional. A small jar of honey, a treat or a handwritten thank-you can all work. Check the price per item before ordering, and keep allergies in mind.
Practical pitfalls
- Arrange seats for the children who are actually coming
- Make a quiet place for a sleeping baby
- Keep the music low enough for conversation
- Ask about allergies before ordering food or favours
- Share out practical jobs so you can enjoy the day too
Frequently asked questions
How many guests to invite?
Invite the people you want to share the day with. Check how many adults, children and pushchairs your venue can accommodate.
How far in advance to plan?
Start once the date of the service is known. Ask venues and caterers about availability early; at home you may have more flexibility.
What's a realistic budget?
There is no universal budget. List the venue, food, drinks, decorations and optional favours, request quotes where needed, and choose which jobs to do yourselves.
Try Partylio for free
Create an event, generate your QR code and receive photos from all your guests. No app required.
