The event itself had not been in the planning for months and was a relatively last minute arrangement but we felt that Valentine's Day was the perfect day for a baptism.
We decided to invite only family and a handful of close friends, mainly my original NCT group of which they have become more of the family so naturally it would have felt odd without them there.
We wanted the baptism to be done at the school where we live as it has so many connections to both Tom and myself. Tom, as it's his place of work and for me it was a place where when I was a pupil at the school I had spent many hours in various chapel services and the fact that it's a relatively small and intimate chapel made it the ideal choice.
For the "after party" I wanted to hold an afternoon tea. I LOVE afternoon tea. There really is nothing better than a really great selection of neatly sliced finger sandwiches and bite sized cakes where one more really does not count.
I went for Spring colours for the colour scheme with white tulips and narcissi flowers held in jam jars on each table (they smelt incredible but were three times the price as it was Valentine's Day!)
I got Hector's name spelt out in balloons that I got from the Non Stop Party Shop in Cobham. I had biscuits made in the shape of party rings and love hearts from Kari's Cakery in Claygate and then made scones, homemade jammy dodgers as well as lots of other sweet treats.
We decided against the traditional Christening cake and instead opted for a homemade naked Victoria sponge that was cut up and served as part of the tea. My aunt very kindly offered to make the cake and she was sceptical when I gave her the brief of a "naked Victoria sponge" but even she was impressed and our guests were blown away by her efforts!!
In terms of beverages we wanted to keep it very simple. We served beer for the chaps, bubbles for the girls, tea, coffee and Copella Apple and Rhubarb for the kids which they drank out of individually decorated jam jars.
Hector shunned away from the traditional Christening dress and we went with shorts, shirt and jacket all in baby blue. The lovely people at Jo Jo Maman Bebe very kindly sent Charlie a whole outfit from this seasons "Wedding and Partywear" selection and he looked very dashing indeed, whilst I wore a navy blue knee length dress from last season at Next.
We wanted to capture all of our little boy's special day so enlisted the help of our favourite photographer James Heming who travelled all the way from Kent to be with us. We wanted James as he was our wedding photographer and he also captured Charlie's christening so we were delighted that he could be with us.
Lots of love,
Nathalie x
