LDS Weddings
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that when sealed by the proper priesthood authority in a dedicated temple of the Lord, marriages and families can be united not only for life, but for all eternity in what is known as a Celestial marriage. To receive these blessings, couples in the Church of Jesus Christ must continue to live worthy of the covenants they have made to each other and to God. Members not married in a Latter-day Saint temple and new members who are already married can still receive all the blessings of a temple sealing. When members are found worthy, and new members have been in the Church for a year, they can go to the temple and have their marriage sealed for all eternity.
The following is a list of common questions regarding Latter-day Saint temple weddings.
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Who can attend the temple ceremony?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have current temple recommends are able to attend a sealing ceremony. Couples are asked to keep the number of people invited to a sealing relatively small with immediate family and only a few close friends. This allows the service to remain reverent and sacred.
Often there are close family members who are not members of the Church who want to be a part of the wedding ceremony. Ideas for including family and friends who cannot enter the temple include—
- Waiting outside the temple until the bride and groom exit the temple. Many of the temples have visitors' centers that they can go to, or they can walk around the temple grounds. All temple grounds are beautifully kept and allow for peaceful contemplation. Often there is a photography session on the temple grounds after the sealing concludes. The family often gathers for a meal afterward in a home or restaurant.
- Arranging a separate "ring ceremony" at the location of the wedding reception. Rings may be exchanged in the sealing room, but exchanging rings is an adjunct, rather than an integral part of the sealing ceremony, and is done by choice. Ring ceremonies can include counsel from a Bishop and words of love and commitment from the bride and groom, so the ceremony can be very satisfying for those not attending the temple sealing.
However, Church policy allows for authorized Church leaders or others to perform civil marriages that are followed by a temple sealing, with no waiting period necessary.
What should guests wear?
Those attending the sealing should wear clothes that would be appropriate for Church. Modest dresses or skirts and blouses for women and a suit or white shirt and nice slacks for men. Tuxedos and formal wear are not to be worn in the temple.
Can the bride wear her wedding dress in the temple?
Brides can wear their wedding dress in the temple, but the dresses should be white, modest in design and fabric, and free of elaborate ornamentation. It should also cover the temple garment. Sleeves should be long or three-quarter. Sheer fabric should be lined. Some temples provide jackets or pin-ons that can be worn under or over the dress to make them appropriate for the ceremony. Dresses should not have a train unless it can be pinned up or removed for the sealing ceremony. The bride should always check with the temple in advance to determine whether a dress is appropriate. The temple can provide a dress if needed or desired. If the bridal gown is not appropriate for the sealing, the bride can wear an acceptable white dress and then change afterwards into her gown (in the bride's dressing room) for photographs outside on temple grounds.
How long does a temple sealing take?
Most do not take longer than thirty minutes. There will however be some variation depending on how many people are attending and the advice that the officiator gives. It does take time for the bride to dress for the sealing, and for going to and coming from the sealing room. Guests are asked to arrive about a half hour before the sealing. They wait in a waiting room inside the temple, and then they are guided to the sealing room before the bride and groom enter.
When will pictures be taken?
Because of the sacredness of the temple, photography is not allowed inside. Most couples opt to have a photography session either before or after the ceremony. This is usually done on the beautifully landscaped temple grounds.
