What is the best time for a christening?

[TwentyOne]

We are planning our sons christening for September, and don't know what time of day to go for. We want to have a garden party after but we're on a budget and don't know what food we would have to provide particularly if we go for a service mid morning. Hoping for advice on best time of day for a christening or how to deal with catering after on a budget?

Many churches have christenings as part of the regular morning service, so you might have no control over the timing at all.

If you can have a private ceremony, the have it early afternoon, then people go back to tea and cakes in the garden

AFAIK most, if not all, baptisms take place during the normal Sunday service or immediately after

All of our local churches incorporate a christening into the main service, so choosing a time isn't an option. We had DD christened at a 10.30 service and had a buffet lunch back at our house.

I hope you are lucky with the weather.

We're having it at a very small village church where Sunday services are once a month and a bit of a squeeze so we've opted for a private service. Thinking early afternoon would be a good idea then hopefully people won't be expecting too much of a spread. Possibly thinking of asking people to bring picnics along for after (fingers crossed for good weather) my partners parents house backs onto the park but not so sure??

I don't think its a good idea to ask people to bring picnics/own food. Serve what you can afford. Lots of posts on mumsnet on party food on a budget.