Christening FAQs

Christening FAQs: costs, timing and traditions

Everything people actually ask before a christening, answered plainly for UK churches and 2026 prices.

Costs first, then timing, then the traditions nobody explains until you're standing at the font. If you only need the card, the collections at the bottom go straight to the designs.

Christening cards and keepsakes

Blank-inside cards plus candles, prints and coasters you can date. We don't make silver or engraved spoons - a jeweller will serve you better.

A typographic music print featuring Taylor Swift Bejewelled lyrics on high-quality paper, unframed. Best Believe I'm Still Bejewelled By Taylor Swift Music Lyrics Print £8.00 Unframed wall art print featuring the text 'In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo' in colourful, vibrant lettering. In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful typographic wall art print with the quote 'I work hard so that my dog can live a better life' in A4 or A3. I Work Hard So That My Dog Can Live A Better Life Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful fitness wall print illustrating the HYROX competition race format with running and functional workout steps. Hyrox Competition Race Format Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters £4.50 All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) £8.00

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Costs at a glance

  • The service: free in the Church of England. A donation of £30 to £100 is usual.
  • Gown or outfit: £25 to £150 new, nothing if there's a family gown.
  • Cake: £45 to £120 from a bakery, around £15 plus a topper if you bake.
  • Hall hire: £15 to £40 an hour for a village or church hall.
  • Catering for 30: £120 to £300 buffet-style, £60 to £100 done yourselves.
  • Typical 30-guest total: £350 to £900, mostly food and venue.

Timing at a glance

  • Eight to twelve weeks ahead: ring the parish office. Summer Sundays go first.
  • Six weeks ahead: ask the godparents properly, in person or by letter.
  • Four weeks ahead: invitations with a finish time, and check photography rules.
  • Two weeks ahead: cake, final numbers and buy the card.
  • On the day: the service runs 20 to 40 minutes.
  • Within two weeks after: thank-you notes to godparents and anyone who travelled.

Traditions worth knowing

  • White is worn because it symbolises new life; a family gown passed down is the older tradition.
  • The godparents hold the candle lit from the paschal candle and answer the promises aloud.
  • Silver - a spoon, a tankard, a frame - is the traditional gift. A jeweller does those properly.
  • The christening cake was historically the top tier of the wedding cake, saved and re-iced.
  • Sugared almonds or a small favour for guests is common but entirely optional.
  • The certificate is kept with the birth certificate; some families frame it instead.

Cards for the day

Blank inside so you can write your own message. Posted first class.

Illustration of two large pints of stout next to a tiny baby stout with text "Two's a couple, three's a family". Two's A Couple, Three's A Family (Guinness Congrats On The New Baby Card) £3.87 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card £3.75 It's a Boy New Born Baby Duck Card It's a Boy New Born Baby Duck Card £3.91 It's a Boy New Born Baby Card It's a Boy New Born Baby Card £3.91

Keepsakes you can date

Candles, prints and coasters, designed in house and printed in the UK.

A typographic music print featuring Taylor Swift Bejewelled lyrics on high-quality paper, unframed. Best Believe I'm Still Bejewelled By Taylor Swift Music Lyrics Print £8.00 Unframed wall art print featuring the text 'In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo' in colourful, vibrant lettering. In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful typographic wall art print with the quote 'I work hard so that my dog can live a better life' in A4 or A3. I Work Hard So That My Dog Can Live A Better Life Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful fitness wall print illustrating the HYROX competition race format with running and functional workout steps. Hyrox Competition Race Format Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters £4.50 All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) £8.00 Look At The Stars Song Lyrics Print (A5 - A3) Look At The Stars Song Lyrics Print (A5 - A3) £8.00 Music Sounds Better With You Music Print (A5 - A3) Music Sounds Better With You Music Print (A5 - A3) £8.00

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a christening cost in the UK?

The Church of England service is free, though a donation of £30 to £100 is usual. With a cake, hall and food for 30 guests, a typical UK christening comes to £350 to £900 in 2026.

How far in advance should you book a christening?

Eight to twelve weeks. Popular churches book summer Sundays months ahead, so ring the parish office as soon as you have a rough date.

What age is a baby christened?

Most UK babies are christened between three and twelve months, but there's no upper age limit - older children and adults are baptised too.

Who can be a godparent?

In the Church of England, godparents must themselves be baptised, and traditionally there are three - two of the child's sex and one of the other. Most vicars are flexible; ask yours.

How many godparents should you have?

Three is traditional. Two is common and four or more is usually allowed, though only some are formally named on the certificate.

What do you wear to a christening?

Smart daytime clothes - what you'd wear to a spring wedding without the hat. The baby traditionally wears white; guests are asked not to.

How long does a christening service last?

Twenty to forty minutes, often within or straight after the main Sunday service.

What's the difference between a christening and a baptism?

Baptism is the sacrament; christening is the British term for an infant baptism, which also gives the child their name. The cards and keepsakes are interchangeable.

How much should you spend on a christening gift?

Guests £10 to £25, wider family £20 to £40, grandparents £50 to £100 and godparents £50 to £150. A card alone is fine from a guest.

Do you have to be religious to have a christening?

You need to be willing to make the promises in the service. If that doesn't sit right, a naming ceremony marks the same moment without the religious wording.