Weddings conducted in LDS temples stand apart from various other ceremony styles, exclusively reserved for those who practice the faith. These ceremonies are brief, accommodating between four to twenty-five individuals, devoid of adornments, rings, or musical elements. Typically scheduled in the morning, they provide an opportunity for additional guests to either wait outside or in the temple's waiting area. Those visiting the temple are welcomed to explore the visitor center, where they can delve into the customs and beliefs of the LDS Church. On the other hand, weddings of a civil nature tend to follow a more formal and conventional format, involving the exchange of vows and rings between the bride and groom.
Religious significance
If you're wondering what the religious significance of LDs wedding rituals are, you're not alone. In Latter-day Saint society, wedding rituals are extremely important. These rituals allow a couple's relationship to continue after death, since their union is sealed in a church temple. That means your family will stay together forever in the afterlife. Here's why temple weddings are so important.
Marriage ceremonies in the LDS temple are strictly for LDS members. A non-LDS couple may not be allowed to attend the temple wedding if their parents are not Mormon. It's important to know the church's policies, but try to save those discussions for after the wedding ceremony. Otherwise, you may find yourself in trouble when it comes time to discuss the religious significance of LDs wedding rituals.
First of all, LDS weddings are not for everyone. For starters, they're geared towards members of the church. Typically, only a few people attend. In addition, they're short ceremonies that don't involve music, decorations, or rings. They're also usually held in the morning, when many other people are in the temple for another purpose. If you don't want to attend a temple wedding, you can always have a civil wedding, as long as it's traditional.
For non-LDS members, getting married civilly is acceptable. In some European countries, sealing in a temple is compulsory before religious solemnization, although in the USA, this is rare. Moreover, it requires waiting a year for non-LDS members to participate in the temple ceremony. In the meantime, non-LDS couples can attend a civil wedding ceremony earlier in the day. These ceremonies are considered civil marriages and count as civil marriage in the US.
Costs
The costs involved in a traditional wedding are significantly different than those involved in an LDS marriage. A number of factors contribute to the difference between a traditional American wedding and an LDS wedding, including the young age of the bride and groom, and the limited financial resources of many couples. The "who pays for what" and "guidelines" that apply to weddings in traditional American culture are based on a different philosophy.
Traditionally, an LDS wedding requires a temple ceremony. The costs are much less than for non-LDS weddings, but this should not prevent you from having a civil ceremony with non-LDS friends and family. However, because of the religious nature of temple weddings, the costs may still be prohibitive for many. Luckily, Nathan Matson is able to borrow decorations from friends. And, while wedding costs are higher in the LDS Church, the average cost per guest is also lower. This is partly due to the lack of alcohol.
Requirements
LDS wedding rituals can include the sealing of the bride and groom. The bride and groom should purchase a wedding gown and white temple dress. Brides are required to wear a white gown, which must be floor-length, long-sleeved, and high-necked. Brides must wear white slippers and stockings. Grooms must purchase a white tie and white pants.
The reception may be held at a temple or at a cultural hall. The Relief Society room is usually more elegant and comfortable, while the cultural hall is usually multi-purpose and has court markings. Guests should wear conservative business attire, and alcohol should be avoided. If the bride and groom are LDS, the officiant will wear a suit and tie. However, LDS wedding rituals can be awkward if the bride or groom is not comfortable with traditional wedding practices.
For civil Latter-day Saint weddings, the officiating priest chooses the location. However, the Handbook for Latter-day Saint weddings forbids pomp and excess decorations. It also discourages the use of video recording devices at LDs wedding rituals. Although these weddings are free, many couples choose to have them at Latter-day Saint meetinghouses, as these venues are often more photogenic. If more Latter-day Saint couples choose to get married in Utah, the wedding industry will benefit from the increased interest.
Location
Mormons have a unique custom for their wedding ceremonies. Mormons marry at temples. Their temple marriage is a sacred, private event, and non-members are not allowed to attend. Only those recommended by temple leaders can attend. Mormons also don't discuss the specifics of their marriage rituals, so non-members are often left out of these ceremonies. Mormon temple weddings can be especially heartbreaking.
LDS temple weddings are small and informal, typically involving four to 25 people. Guests should wear modest clothing, preferably covering the knees and neck. The ceremony usually lasts about 40 minutes, but the temple grounds will provide ample opportunity to incorporate photos. In addition, photographers may direct the couples portrait session outside the temple. Some Mormon couples choose to include the temple grounds in their photographs. Then, the couple can move on to other types of photographs without causing any disruption.
If you're planning to hold a Mormon wedding ceremony outside of a Mormon temple, consider having a reception and an RSVP list. The Mormon bride may wear a traditional wedding dress during the reception. The guest list for LDS weddings is long, including members of the bride's family and other church congregations. The ceremony is typically very expensive, and most LDS newlyweds depart for their honeymoon right after the reception.
An LDS wedding is not limited to a temple, though. The ceremony may be held outside, in a cultural hall, or in a reception center. The Relief Society room tends to be more elegant and comfortable for guests, while the cultural hall is usually multi-purpose and used for basketball games. The cultural hall may also have basketball court markings. The music and ceremony may be unfamiliar, and the officiant will likely wear a suit.
In many European countries, it is necessary to obtain a civil marriage before a religious solemnization. However, couples who wish to get married in a Mormon temple should wait at least one year before getting married in a civil ceremony. In many cases, a civil marriage is a perfect alternative, as it will allow all family and friends to be part of the ceremony. However, civil marriages aren't without their own risks, and may even be rejected by the church.
