Christening at Loughborough Baptist Church
All family occasions are a wonderful opportunity for catching up, seeing people we haven’t see in ages, being amazed at how kids have grown up, being sad when there are absences, but rejoicing in the togetherness. This family, of course, had not seen each other since before the first lockdown so it was even more joyful. If you know a bit about me, you know I am French, my grandparents were Italian, my husband ‘s parents came from Gujarat via Kenya so I do love multicultural crowds and this was a real treat. Actually there were so many mixes that I forgot all the various origins, but I love how different people come together to celebrate together, bringing their own style, colours, unique beauty and personalities.
The pastor at Loughborough Baptist Church was brilliant at making everyone feel welcome. I had a chat with him, asking if it was always like that, and he said he wanted people of all faiths, people who don’t go to church to feel welcome and at home, which I loved. He even used puppets, presumably because it was a christening and the star of the show was only tiny.
Everyone sang together, with love at the centre of the ceremony and everyone mixed afterwards, first at the door of the church in Baxter Gate, then at Queen’s park. Mum was stunning, as you can see and she was wearing her own mother’s wedding dress, refitted for her, so an emotional connection to the generation before and after since it was for her daughter.
Of course many group shots are not entertaining for a baby even if she’s the star, so the grandparents and relatives came behind me and sang, gesticulated, laughed, ululated to get her smiling and laughing. I was cracking up too!
The reception took place at Loughborough Town hall, a really beautiful room where I’ve shot weddings and other ceremonies before. The room is very classy and the way they decorated it was as beautiful as for a wedding. I didn’t stay to see what they had in mind for the rest but I am sure very detail will have been thoroughly thought through.
To see another christening, please click here.