Several fundamental etiquette guidelines must be adhered to during an LDS wedding ceremony. It's important to steer clear of any actions that could be considered sexually provocative and to ensure that your guests' attire does not imply any form of impropriety. Below are several recommendations:
Simple
If you're getting married in the LDS faith, you're going to have to abide by some simple LDS wedding rules. Although these celebrations tend to be unstructured, you'll need to wear conservative, modest attire to the wedding and reception. This means covering your knees and neck. Dressing conservatively is always recommended, and alcohol should be avoided. However, this doesn't mean that you can't have fun!
Simple to follow
LDS weddings are freewheeling, spontaneous and largely unstructured. Dress appropriately and avoid anything that might offend the bride and groom. Wear clothing that covers your neck and knees and is conservatively designed, reminiscent of the church. Business attire is appropriate. You can celebrate the nuptials with alcoholic beverages, but you should avoid drinking during the ceremony. The bride and groom may have other guests to attend the wedding.
Guests should respect the bride and groom's requests by arriving on time. They shouldn't bring a guest who is not their plus one. This is a common mistake. Although some couples are okay with smartphone photos, it is best to respect the bride and groom's wishes. The bride and groom should be the only ones wearing white or ivory dresses. Guests should wear colors that compliment their attire. However, if the bride and groom do not prefer these colors, it is okay to wear them. Guests should also refrain from getting too drunk. The couple's wedding day is very important and it is important to follow the rules.
Temple sealings
The church's First Presidency has called for more emphasis on temple sealings, encouraging church leaders to help couples make this the "centerpiece" of the wedding day. Even though non-Mormons must wait outside of temples to get married, they are still free to have a civil ceremony earlier in the day. Jana Riess, a religion scholar, explains why temple sealings are important for families.
LDS temple sealings are sacred ceremonies. They require the couple to follow church rules closely, such as paying tithes (10% of their income) and staying chaste and confessional. A temple sealer will read the vows to the groom and repeat them. The groom must answer "yes" if he wants the marriage to be legal. The temple sealer will then pronounce the couple "husband and wife" and give their nuptial blessings.
Although LDS marriages are meant to last forever, they can also be annulled. The Church has policies about this, but the process isn't clear. Handbook 1 explains the basics, but these rules can change. For example, handbooks are not freely available online, and are only available to church leaders in leadership positions. While these documents are not required for marriage, they contain a list of essential requirements.
Location
Latter-day Saints believe in having a temple wedding. Marriages are sealed inside the temple of the church, ensuring that the union will last for eternity. In 1980, Sue Bergin was 22 years old and her brother was married in a temple. When she got married, she was shocked and a little nervous about the ceremony. But she didn't want to have to be alone. The church rules were clear.
While LDS weddings are different from stag parties, you shouldn't expect them to be sexually suggestive. Not only are these activities out of style, but they may also make LDS members uncomfortable. Keeping the reception G-rated is acceptable, but try not to include any activities that will cause stress for the couple. You can have a fun-filled bridal shower, but don't plan to get in trouble by breaking the rules of LDS weddings.
If the sealing ceremony is part of your religious ritual, you can still have a civil ceremony prior to the temple ceremony. However, it's important to note that the rules about the location of LDS weddings are not the same as those for other faiths. A priest will perform the sealing and the bride must be a member of the church. Non-LDS members can still attend the ceremony, but they'll have to wait outside the temple. The temple will also provide white socks for those who are attending the sealing.
Ring ceremony
In Latter-day Saint (LDS) tradition, the exchange of rings takes place after the temple sealing. But the old rule encouraged couples to get married at a temple and have a reception afterwards, causing heartbreak for couples from mixed faiths. In Albuquerque, church convert Aubri Alvarez remembers her mother sobbing outside the temple, but that's OK, because the reception tempered the blow.
Before the ring exchange, the couple must exchange affections and reflections. Then, the officiant can bless the rings. During this time, many Christians bless their rings on the Bible. And the ceremony ends with a prayer. However, you should choose a wedding ritual that is meaningful for you and your partner. Besides, you should not feel restricted by a wedding ceremony structure, but rather, use it to say your vows in your own way.
The ring ceremony lasts about ten to twenty minutes. The ceremony begins with an opening prayer. Other attendees include family members and non-Mormon friends. The bishop may discuss the sealing ceremony and other rituals, read scriptures related to marriage, or provide musical accompaniment. The ring ceremony is also a great way to share your faith with non-Mormon guests. You can also choose to hold your ceremony simultaneously with the reception.
