Are you going to hire a celebrant? This is someone to undertake the service (such as a registrar from the local council or someone from the British Humanist Association). Alternatively, you could run the service yourself or ask a confident friend / family member to do it?

How many people would you like to invite? Do you want a large or intimate celebration? This will affect your next step – the venue…

Will you have the ceremony at your house or hire a venue? If it’s the summer months then you can spill outside but what if the weather turns or it’s the colder winter months? What about decorations e.g. bunting, balloons, flowers etc

Will you ask any friends or family members to be ‘mentors’ or ‘supporting adults’ for your child.

Will you opt for a family ‘gown’ (you could still use a family christening gown) or smart dress?

Will you have readings, if so which ones and will you ask friends/family and older siblings to be involved and read them?

Will you cater yourself or perhaps you could look for local suppliers in your area.

Will you have a special cake for the celebration?

You could buy a guest book or buy a large photo frame and ask people to write on the mount then frame a photo from your special day. Can you ask friends and family to take some photo’s to ensure you have some with all the immediate family together.

Chances are, there may be lots of other children attending. To ensure a smooth and stress limiting day, have some activities for the children. This could include colouring activities, party organisers (balloon artists) etc