This sunflower-themed naming ceremony was held in the gardens at Tewinbury Farm in Hertfordshire followed by a sit-down lunch in the Millstream Suite. The ceremony was delivered by Kim Noakes from the Hertford and Ware Register Office.
  
  
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Get the Look
 Naming ceremony in the garden
Use a garden structure such as a pergola, arbour, summerhouse, gazebo or even just a trellis arch as the focal point of the ceremony. Wind white organza loosely around the structure and attach sunflowers with garden wire, then cover the wire with wide satin ribbon tied in bows.
Arrange chairs for the guests in a semi circle facing the structure. If you have special adults and grandparents making promises during the ceremony make sure that they have seats nearest to the main proceedings either by reserving the front row or setting their seats perpendicularly to the others so that they can stand up to take their vows. Don’t forget to reserve seats for guests who will be doing readings so that they have easy access to the front.
If you are creating an aisle between the rows of chairs, drape organza from row to row along each side of the aisle and attach single sunflowers to the chairs next to the aisle.
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Church ceremony (get permission from the church first!)
Wind the organza around the church entrance or the church gate and attach sunflowers with wire and ribbon as before. Attach bunches of sunflowers to the pew ends.
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Outfits
Dress a boy in a white linen shirt (last minute of course!) and stone/beige linen shorts or 3/4 length trousers (see Boys Contemporary Outfit gallery for suggestions).
Daddy would look good in a matching cool linen suit and Mummy in a smart summer dress.
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For a girl, any pretty summer dress or party dress would be suitable - see Girls Contemporary Outfits Gallery for ideas.
This one from JoJo Maman Bebe has pretty pink rose embroidery at the waist and neckline.
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Venue decoration
Follow the organza and sunflower theme into your reception by decorating doorways, gates, railings or banisters in the same way. For railings or banisters, cut most of the stem from the sunflower then poke the garden wire through the back of the sunflower head before winding it round the handrail to secure it
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Vases of sunflowers need no extra foliage or flowers to create an easy yet striking centrepiece or table decoration whether you choose a narrow vase on each table with 3-4 heads or a wide vase with a huge bouquet for a buffet table. If you are going for a tall narrow vase, bear in mind that sunflowers are quite top heavy so make sure that the vases are solid enough not to topple.
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Food and drink
Pimms is the quintessential British summertime drink and is great for served at a reception as a long refreshing alternative to a glass of champagne. Whilst traditionally served in jug-handled pint glasses at Wimbledon, your guests will probably be satisfied with an ordinary tumbler!
1 part Pimms
3 parts chilled lemonade
Mint, sliced oranges, lemons and cucumber,
Chopped strawberries for a decadent feel
Ice
As a non-alcoholic alternative try Duchy Originals Organic Strawberry and Mint Cordial.
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Serve a summer buffet lunch based around cold meats, poached salmon, new potatoes and salads.
Suggested menu
Dressed Salmon Fillet with Lemon and Cucumber
Sliced Baked Ham Glazed and Served with an Apple Sauce
Baked Rib of Beef & Horseradish Cream
Accompanied with
Buttered New Potatoes
Cucumber and Mint Salad
Tomato, Olive and Feta Salad
Waldorf and Walnut Salad
Chinese Style Rice salad
Vanilla Cheesecake with Berry Compote
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Serving the food on plain white china and serving dishes and using white linen tablecloths and napkins lends a more elegant feel to the occasion and makes it easier to mix in borrowed items. White is also the most readily available and cheapest colour when hiring crockery or table linen. As a rough guide, expect to pay around £1.60-£2.00 for 10 plates, £5.00-£6,00 for a tablecloth to fit a trestle table, 80p-£1.00 each for linen napkins.
Top money saving tip - Waitrose Entertaining hire fish kettles and a variety of glasses free of charge to customers which can be pre-booked online.
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Celebration cake
This 2 tier cake exploding parcel cake was made in a blue to complement the bright yellow of the sunflowers and the cornflower blue of the ribbons.
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On the table
If you are having a seated meal, keep place cards, table numbers, table plan and menu cards simple on a white background. These place cards have been decorated with stick on flower designs in bright colours to compliment the sunflower theme.
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Favours are also kept simple with small aluminium tins filled with Smarties or Jelly Babies for colour.
Children are kept amused during the meal with party bags containing a small toy, a book, stickers and a Grow Your Own Sunflower kit to take home as a memento of the day.
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Entertainment
Choose a summer-themed playlist on an IPod or use summer compilation CDs to create a laid back atmosphere, evocative of long hot summer afternoons and get people in the mood even if the weather doesn't quite match up to expectations.
Entertainment after the meal at this naming ceremony was provided by Amanda's Action Kids which kept the children occupied, leaving the adults to enjoy themselves.
If you want to do this yourselves you could buy or borrow balls, musical shakers and a colourful parachute - all you need is a very energetic volunteer to lead the activities and some suitable music.
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