Namings

Heartfelt specialises in the unique and individual; conducting creative, homegrown, quirky, fun, child friendly and child centred naming ceremonies as well as more traditional celebrations. These can be held in a place or venue of your choice – even your back garden!

I’m Kate Mortimer, Heartfelt’s professionally trained celebrant. I am passionate about what I do and about making your day stress free and magical. Whether you know exactly what you want, or need further expertise and creative input, I would be delighted to meet you. It is my pleasure and privilege that you may choose to make me part of your family celebration and naming ceremony.

My communication, empathy, presentation and organisational skills, from many years as an NHS and independent therapist (including 14 years as a child and adolescent therapist), allow me, within Heartfelt, to truly understand all of your hopes and wishes, and make your naming ceremony happen your way.

An MA in Creative Writing means I can enable you to express your emotions, love and dreams, through individually crafted promises and ceremonies written with YOU in mind, as well as conduct your ceremony. You may have a significant reading for the ceremony already in mind; however, I can provide a wealth of suggestions and resources.

No matter what the age of your baby/children, I can provide a fitting and warm ceremony which reflects your and their wishes and hopes for the future, as individuals, and as a family. Depending on the age and wishes of your children (and your wishes!) I can work with you to make them as much a part of the ceremony as you desire. There is almost no limit to how you can celebrate. Whether through more traditional hopes, promises and commitments to your family, to your child reading or performing, or being involved in recognising you as a family unit (Sand and Salt Ceremonies are popular choices to recognise individuals coming together or being welcomed into the family, which children also love and can be involved in from a young age), I would be delighted to help make your day special.

People who have children already, whether before marrying, or when they are now blending as one family, may also choose to have a naming ceremony as part of a wedding, often when you will all be taking on the same family name.

Adoption welcome ceremonies are also a great option to welcome a much wanted child or children into the family and to recognise them taking on your family name and becoming part of your family.

You may also choose to involve the extended family, or recognise the importance of significant others who may act as guardians, guides or ‘additional parents’ to provide particular support for your baby or child, when expressing promises to your child and your hopes for their future.

I offer a free, no obligation initial meeting, where we can meet at your home or a venue of your choosing, to get to know each other and so you can decide if I am the right celebrant for you. I am easy going, flexible and creative, as well as being passionate about your ceremony surpassing your expectations. I take pride in getting to know you all; in offering a service with integrity; and in my professionalism, all of which can take some of the organisational pressure and (positive) stress of a naming ceremony away from you.

I am enhanced DBS checked so you can be confident of my professional standing and integrity when working with you and your children.

I am based in Bristol and am able to travel throughout the South West (covering as far north as Birmingham and as far east as Surrey, as a guide), but by arrangement, I can travel abroad.

I am trained and qualified to Stage 3 of the National Open College Network for Weddings, Namings and Family Celebrancy, the highest nationally available award.

I am a member of the Association of Independent Celebrants, through which I hold indemnity and public liability insurance.

My fees are £250 for a standard ceremony in the Bristol area. This includes an initial meeting (which can be by Skype if you are some distance away), writing your ceremony of up to 25 minutes in length, advising on readings and resources, up to three script revisions, a keepsake script and a naming certificate. Additional travel is costed at 50p per mile. I confirm the total cost on our first meeting, or in conversation beforehand – this can of course be reviewed, should you choose to add further elements to your ceremony, however I do not charge additional fees for special elements of a ceremony, such as eco balloon release or sand ceremonies, unless this makes the ceremony more than 25 minutes long. I ask for a deposit of £100 to ‘save the date’ for your ceremony, and for full payment 28 days before the ceremony.