How to Plan your Baby's Baptism

Your baby’s baptism is a holy moment where he or she is introduced to the church family and committed to the Catholic faith. This day is worth preparation and thought so that when it comes, you too, can celebrate and rejoice with your family and friends. Taking care of a few details beforehand will give you the peace of mind to truly enjoy this memorable day.

The first step is to meet with your minister or priest to get an overview and procedures specific to your church. Some churches require the parents to take a class or other suggested activities before the big day. You’ll want to write down a few questions before meeting with your priest to discuss the important details special to you. Some items you’ll want to ask about are: the use of video or photography during the ceremony, seating arrangements for your guests and the expected length of the ceremony.

After these details are discussed, you are now ready to set a date and organize the information you want to include in your baptism invitation. A good rule of thumb is to look for your baptism invitation 4-6 weeks prior to the event. You will need to set aside some time to brainstorm and order your invitations. If you choose to have the baptism ceremony early on, you may have to plan many of these details before the baby is even born.
A big decision that should be considered, with prayer and thought, is who will be the child’s Godparents. This is important because whomever you choose will be given the responsibility to care for your child if something was to happen to you. This person is also expected to spiritually influence and teach the child in the ways of God.
It is within tradition to have your baby baptized in all white. The attire chosen is important because many families will keep it safe for generations to come. Most little girls are dressed in a white gown and boys man times wear white shorts with a white onesie underneath. There is no written rule for this so if you want to change things up a bit, feel free.
One of the last largest details is the reception afterwards. Many people are working with a tight budget so they like to keep it simple. They choose to hold a reception in the church’s hall or large room and serve simple finger foods. Others, who go a bit more extravagant, may invite guests to a restaurant afterwards in celebration. Whichever fits your needs and desires the best, is just fine. Finish the reception off with a small favor that your guests can look at and remember this special day.
Don’t forget to send thank you cards after the event to show your appreciation and love. Make this day as stress free and memorable as possible by pre-planning. Get the details taken care of beforehand and have family members help you on that day. This way you can keep this sacred ceremony holy.