Christening decorations: church, hall and home

Christening decorations are gentler than party decorations. Most of the day is a service and a lunch, and the styling job is really about the table, the cake and a keepsake corner where guests leave messages for the baby.

Check with the church before you plan anything for the service itself — many won't allow decorations beyond flowers, and almost none allow confetti.

This guide covers the church, the hall or house afterwards, colour ideas beyond pink and blue, and roughly what it all costs.

At the church

• Ask first. Most churches allow flowers at the font and little else. Shop this card
• A simple posy at the font in white or cream is usually welcome. Shop this card
• Pew ends with ribbon, if the church permits them. Shop this card
• An order of service printed with the baby's name — the one thing everyone keeps. Shop this card
• No confetti, no balloons, no candles beyond the christening candle itself. Shop this card
• Reserve the front rows with a printed card for godparents and grandparents. Shop this card

At the hall or house afterwards

• A balloon garland over the cake table in two soft shades. Shop this card
• A name banner with the baby's name in card letters. Shop this card
• A dressed table: white cloth, foliage, tea lights and small posies. Shop this card
• A cake table as the focal point, with the christening cake and the candle. Shop this card
• A keepsake corner: a message book, cards, and a pen that works. Shop this card
• Photo display of the baby's first months, pegged on string. Shop this card

Colours beyond pink and blue

• White and cream with green foliage — always right, never dated. Shop this card
• Sage green and natural wood for a spring or summer christening. Shop this card
• Soft grey and white with silver, for a winter date. Shop this card
• Lemon and white, which suits a garden lunch. Shop this card
• Dusky blue and cream, softer than a traditional baby blue. Shop this card
• One colour plus white is enough. Christenings look worse the busier they get. Shop this card

Keepsakes guests leave behind

• A message book for guests to write to the baby, to be read at eighteen. Shop this card
• Wooden hearts guests sign and hang on a small tree. Shop this card
• A card box, so christening cards stay together for the memory box. Shop this card
• A fingerprint tree print, framed afterwards. Shop this card
• Time-capsule cards: each guest writes a prediction, sealed until a birthday. Shop this card
• A photo of every guest with the baby, printed later into an album. Shop this card

What it costs

• Font posy and church flowers: £25 to £60 if you're buying arranged. Shop this card
• Balloon garland: £15 to £25 built yourself. Shop this card
• Name banner or card letters: £8 to £20. Shop this card
• Table styling for 30 guests: £30 to £50. Shop this card
• Message book or keepsake tree: £12 to £25. Shop this card
• A full christening lunch setup: £80 to £150 excluding catering. Shop this card

New baby cards

The cards that go with the first year.

Congratulations cards

For the parents on the day.

Where to shop next

• Christening cards
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Engagement party decorations
• Retirement party decorations
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

What decorations do you need for a christening?

Flowers at the font if the church allows them, then at the hall a balloon garland over the cake table, a name banner, a dressed table and a keepsake corner for messages.

Can you decorate a church for a christening?

Usually only with flowers, and you need to ask first. Most churches don't allow balloons, confetti or extra candles, so save the decorating for the lunch afterwards.

What colours are best for a christening?

White and cream with green foliage works for every baby and every season. Sage green, soft grey or dusky blue are gentler alternatives to traditional pink and blue.

How much do christening decorations cost?

£80 to £150 for the lunch, excluding catering — church flowers £25 to £60, a balloon garland £15 to £25, table styling £30 to £50, and a keepsake book £12 to £25.

What keepsakes work at a christening?

A message book for guests to write to the baby, signed wooden hearts, a fingerprint tree, or sealed time-capsule cards opened on a future birthday.