Christening Decorations

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

At the hall or house afterwards

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

Colours beyond pink and blue

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

Keepsakes guests leave behind

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

What it costs

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

New baby cards

The cards that go with the first year.

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.