Should you be contemplating a wedding within the LDS framework, it's quite possible that you have several inquiries. Certain traditions, particularly those relating to sexuality or temple sealings, are best avoided. Moreover, holding a wedding reception teeming with non-LDS attendees is also discouraged. Below, we outline some considerations for orchestrating a LDS faith-based wedding. Additionally, strive to ensure your wedding reception is engaging and memorable, avoiding anything that might make it dull.
Avoid dull, short, and forgettable ceremony
An LDS wedding ceremony has all the trappings of a typical secular wedding. While a few personal details can add meaning to the ceremony, the officiant's words will be dry and lifeless. The couple's vows will merely be said. No music, no walking down the isle, no other traditional wedding rituals. Even the old people who attend such ceremonies still fall asleep during them. To avoid such a wedding, take the time to learn your wife's temple name before the ceremony. It is possible to look up the temple name on the Internet.
LDS temple weddings are generally for select members and are relatively unstructured. Guests should dress modestly, covering their knees and neckline. If they're planning a civil wedding, choose business-type attire. And don't forget to avoid alcohol. Children can cause a lot of chaos! While an LDS temple wedding can be short and unstructured, parents should ensure that their kids are kept out of the ceremony and the bride and groom's wedding.
Another way to avoid a dull, short, and forgettable LDS wedding ceremony is to choose a location that is not typical. Many LDS ceremonies are held in cultural halls or in reception centers. The former is better because it has more comfortable seats and elegant decor. Meanwhile, the latter is likely to be in a multi-purpose room, with court markings. In any case, the music may be unfamiliar to guests. The officiant will be in a suit.
Those looking for an LDS wedding ceremony should remember to research the venue carefully. A temple wedding is a top-secret affair and non-Mormons are not allowed to attend the ceremony. Those who do not have the requisite credentials should wait outside the temple. The outcome may be heartbreaking for them. If this is not the case, it is a good idea to have an outdoor ceremony.
Avoid temple sealings
Unlike other church wedding traditions, LDS couples avoid temple sealings. These ceremonies are short religious ordinances performed by the sealing priest. Instead of walking down the aisle and giving the bride away, sealings are quiet and preceded by words of counsel from the sealer. The entire process takes a couple of hours and is often very emotional. However, many couples find that temple sealings are beneficial for their marriage and children.
While sealing in the temple is considered legal in the United States, it is not permitted in most places. While it is common for couples with fully LDS families to be sealed in the temple, it is becoming less common as the church has become more international. Consequently, couples of mixed provenance should avoid temple sealings. Also, couples who do not live in the United States should avoid temple sealings if possible.
Despite these concerns, the Church does not prohibit the practice of civil weddings. Latter-day Saints believe that civil marriages disintegrate at death, while temple marriages last through death and resurrection. Therefore, couples who marry outside the Church should not delay their temple sealings because they would feel excluded. However, in some cases, this practice is still common. In such cases, it is possible to get married in a civil ceremony and then move to a temple ceremony for the sealing.
Some couples may have compelling reasons for getting married outside of the temple. For instance, they may wish to have a civil ceremony before their temple sealing. If these reasons are valid, however, the bishop may withhold the temple recommendation if the couple does not live in the same place. The First Presidency letter also states that a civil wedding is permitted when it follows the sealing in the temple. This may be good news for some couples, but not for others.
Although temple sealings do not include an exchange of rings, they can be tied together with endowment ceremonies. Endowment sessions are important, but the sealing is separate from them. Moreover, the sealing ceremony should not overshadow the endowment ceremony. For this reason, many couples stage a special ring exchange ceremony during their reception after the endowment process. The bishop can then speak to the couple and exchange rings, which is a special moment for guests who were not present for the ceremony.
Avoid reception with non-LDS guests
The LDS faith discourages brides and grooms from spending too much on their weddings. Most LDS weddings are small, modest affairs, and local ward members often contribute their time and services. Guests often have fun and become friends, as LDS members are a friendly bunch. Hence, it is not unusual to find a large number of non-LDS guests at an LDS wedding reception.
Latter-day Saints who are unable to afford a big-ticket purchase may want to consider holding their wedding in the temple, and avoid a reception with non-LDS guests. In the past, if non-LDS guests attended, LDS couples may have tried to please non-LDS families by having mock weddings or ring ceremonies. Ultimately, this approach does not work.
LDS couples should avoid receptions with non-LDS guests as part of their wedding traditions. Non-LDS families will likely test their faith by insisting that their guests attend the wedding and receive the LDS recommend. This can be shocking for non-LDS guests. However, the LDS church has made the rules clear that non-LDS guests are not permitted to attend Mormon temple wedding ceremonies.
While Mormon ring ceremonies are not technically part of the traditional wedding ceremony, they can help Latter-day Saints feel like a part of the wedding day. The Mormon ring ceremony can also be meaningful for those who missed the sealing ceremony. The ceremony itself is very brief, usually consisting of an opening song and closing prayer, words from the officiant, and the exchange of wedding rings.
Mormons do not drink coffee or tea, although they do allow extracts of fruits at their weddings. If you are unsure of the customs in your area, it is best to check with your local bishop. If you are unsure whether the Mormon church will allow non-LDS guests, ask the LDS bishop to provide advice. There is a modern tradition of toasting the newlyweds with champagne, but Mormons cannot bring alcoholic drinks to the wedding.
For Latter-day Saints, sealing in a temple is an important part of their sacred wedding ritual. While civil marriage is a legal requirement, it is not considered an option for couples with mixed provenance. It is also a year before they can enter the temple. The LDS church will require advance permission from the clergy. So, in general, it is best to avoid reception with non-LDS guests as part of LDS wedding traditions
