Baby’s Christening Ceremony

Vince & Balázs

Getting Ready: Bow Ties and Boys

This christening ceremony started, as most good days do, with a bow tie and a boy who had absolutely no interest in wearing it. Vince stuck his tongue out the moment his dad tried to fix it in place. Meanwhile, Balázs had his own feelings about the whole occasion. His baby boy christening outfit was a soft grey linen suit with a little bow tie to match. It looked immaculate. He did not feel that way about it.

By the time we got to the church, both boys had their outfits on. More or less. That counts.

Father adjusting young boy’s blue bow tie during christening morning preparations at home.

The Christening Photos: More Than One Ceremony

This baby christening held more than one moment worth remembering. First, the priest welcomed both boys into the church. Then, somewhere between the readings and the water and the priest laying his stole across their parents’ joined hands, the couple also renewed their vows. They didn’t announce it or make a fuss. It was simply something they chose to do together, while their sons were present.

That’s the thing about days like this. They carry more than one thing at once.

Hands holding a wooden crucifix during a Catholic christening ritual.

After the Church

A baby crying at the altar, arms stretched wide. A boy leaning into his mum in a pew, uncertain, then settling. Hands holding a small wooden crucifix. An older woman was smiling at a baby who had already forgotten he was upset. Afterwards, the family stood in the park, everyone squinting into the light, not quite posing, not quite not.

At the reception, blue macarons crowned a white christening cake next to the bouquet. They matched the boys’ bow ties exactly, which was either planned or a very good coincidence. So naturally, I photographed it.

Overhead view of christening cake and pastel flower bouquet on dark reception table.

The full story:

Colourful “Vince Balázs” name letters displayed on a wooden door before christening celebration.
Young boy playing with toy cars on an owl-pattern rug before his christening ceremony.
Smiling little boy wearing suspenders and bow tie while getting ready for a christening.
Black and white portrait of young boy in bow tie and suspenders before christening ceremony.
Father buttoning young boy’s white shirt before a christening at home.
Collection of colourful toy cars scattered across a patterned rug in a child’s bedroom.
Laughing little boy peeking through a bright green play tunnel while dressed for his christening.
Black and white close-up of smiling boy inside a play tunnel before family celebration.
Father fastening cufflinks while getting dressed for his child’s christening at home.
Young boy proudly showing personalised cufflinks while dressed in christening clothes.
Close-up of father putting on cufflinks with blue bow tie and white shirt.
Father helping young boy into a waistcoat and suit jacket before the christening ceremony.
Young boy running down wooden stairs in formal christening outfit at home.
Father helping child put on shoes before leaving for the christening ceremony.
Hairstylist curling woman’s hair during bridal-style preparations before family christening celebration.
Black and white close-up of hairstylist pinning curls into an elegant updo before the ceremony.
Close-up of blue eye makeup being applied before a church christening ceremony.
White wedding dress hanging on a bookshelf inside a family home.
Crawling baby smiling at the camera on a wooden floor before the christening ceremony.
Family members holding baby together reflected in a mirror before the christening ceremony.
Baby smiling in a car seat during a family christening celebration at home.
Christening candle beside musicians performing inside a Catholic church ceremony.
Bride and groom style christening parents standing together during the church ceremony.
Golden cross on the church altar during a christening ceremony.
Grandparents smiling at a baby during a church christening ceremony.
Guest kissing the boy before the church christening ceremony begins.
Prayer book resting on a wooden church bench during the christening service.
Wedding rings and holy water bowl prepared for a church christening ceremony.
Wooden crucifix held carefully during a Catholic church blessing ceremony.
Priest blessing a couple during a Catholic vow renewal ceremony inside the church.
Priest blessing parents during their wedding vow renewal ceremony.
Baby in formal christening outfit sitting on a guest’s lap inside the church.
Priest standing beside the altar during a christening ceremony in church.
Bride smiling at young children during a church christening ceremony with family seated in pews.
Priest blessing little boy during church christening ceremony while family watches closely.
Little boy holding christening candle while standing beside family during church ceremony.
Baby held up during christening ceremony while smiling parents sit together inside church.
Baby crying in mother’s arms during emotional christening ceremony inside warm church light.
Grandmother holding baby during baptism ceremony as priest prepares blessing inside church.
Priest placing hand on little boy’s forehead during traditional church baptism ceremony.
Young boy in bow tie looking upward during church christening ceremony beside family members.
Priest pouring baptism water over little boy’s head during church christening ceremony.
Young boy smiling shyly while holding woman’s hand during church christening celebration.
Mother holding her baby during an outdoor christening portrait session beneath tall trees.
Family walking through a flower-filled park after a christening, with toddler riding on father’s shoulders.
Family portrait outdoors after church christening with parents holding two young children.
Couple embracing beneath a large tree during a sunny park christening portrait session with pink flowers behind them.
Young boy holding a teddy bear while parents kiss during relaxed outdoor family christening photos.
Little boy showing personalised chocolate favours at family christening reception.
Bride cutting white christening cake decorated with blue macarons at family celebration.
Handwritten dedication inside Bible during christening celebration.
Tired little boy sleeping with soft toy during christening reception after church ceremony.
Sleeping child cuddling soft toy during quiet moment at christening reception.
Close-up of handwritten messages inside family Bible during church christening gathering.

Thinking about

Christening Photos?

Hi, I’m Eszter, a Bristol event photographer. Most families I work with tell me beforehand that their kids won’t cooperate, that someone will cry, that it’ll be chaos. And they’re usually right. But that’s also where the real photos live — in the boy who sticks his tongue out during the bow tie, the baby who wails at the altar, the older woman in the pew who can’t stop smiling.

You don’t need a perfectly behaved family or a carefully planned shot list. You just need to show up, and I’ll take care of the rest.

I photograph private celebrations and family events across the UK, Hungary, and beyond, including christenings, vow renewals, and days that hold more than one thing at once. If you’re planning something and want to talk it through, come and tell me about it.

About me Find out more
Eszter Szalai, the owner of Emerald Photo UK is wearing leather jacket and patterned scarf.

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