ProJesus
“Dear JESUS, I have a problem...It’s me” “Dear child, I have the answer.....It’s ME”
ProJesus
“Dear JESUS, I have a problem...It’s me” “Dear child, I have the answer.....It’s ME”
Planning Later Day Saints (Mormon) Weddings & Receptions
By Lois F. Worlton and Opal D. Jasinski
General
Temple weddings are carefully supervised by workers at the temple, who do everything possible to make the wedding a sacred and memorable event. The workers remain close to the bride and groom after they enter the temple to help them feel at ease and to assist them in any manner necessary. Because of their assistance and guidance, there is no need for wedding rehearsals or similar activities. Details are explained to the couple when they enter the temple and as preparations for the wedding are being made.
Guests
The bride and groom may invite guests, but should keep their lists limited to families and those who are very close friends. No guest may come who is not recommended by the temple. Guests should be invited by a specific invitation about two weeks before the wedding and should be advised as to the time they should arrive. It is very important for the bride to determine the time guests should arrive at the temple, because if they are late they may not be able to attend the wedding ceremony.
Most temples do not allow guests to dress in white clothing for a marriage unless an endowment session has proceeded it. The sealing rooms are located in an area where guests may witness the marriage in their street clothes, which should be modest Sunday-dress. Shoes will be removed and replaced by white slippers, or guests may go in stocking feet.
Endowment and Sealing
The bride and groom must have received their endowments before they can be sealed in marriage. There are three ways this can be handled: (1) the couple may receive their endowments and be sealed in marriage the same day; (2) they may go through the endowment session at some time prior to the wedding day and have their marriage performed on a "scheduled" basis, which means that they attend only the wedding ceremony on the wedding day; or (3) they may receive their endowments prior to the wedding day and also elect to attend an endowment session as well as the sealing ceremony on the wedding day.
Many couples prefer to have their endowments and sealing the same day, particularly when they must travel a long distance to come to the temple. Ample time should be allowed for the first-time endowment and the marriage ceremony. The wedding couple with their escorts will be asked to arrive at least an hour before the endowment session time, and the other guests need to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. It takes three a one-half to four hours to complete both ceremonies.
When the marriage is scheduled on a different day following the endowments, the time at the temple will be much shorter. The actual ceremony will take about 30 minutes, but the bridal couple will be asked to be to the temple an hour before the scheduled time. They request that the guests be in the marriage waiting room 30 minutes before the wedding time. Making the appropriate appointments with the chosen temple well in advance of the wedding date is necessary.
Who May Perform the Temple Wedding Ceremony.
Each temple has people ordained to officiate at weddings-the presidency of the temples and other workers assigned as sealers. Couples being married are requested to use the assigned officiators unless they know one of the officiators personally; then they may request that he perform their ceremony.
Sometimes couples would like to ask one of the general authorities to perform their wedding, but in view of their tremendous work load, this is often impossible, so couples are discouraged from asking these brethren unless they are relatives or personal friends.
Miscellaneous Rules
Since cameras are not permitted inside the temple, arrangements should be made with the photographer to meet the bride and groom for pictures outside the temple. The bride may wear her wedding dress for these pictures or she may change to her street clothes. The photographer may wait in the temple foyer at the appointed time or he can be called after the ceremony and allowed time to arrive for the picture-taking. The temple presidencies have requested that no rice or confetti be thrown on the temple grounds and that horn- honking or the use of other noise-makers be dispensed with near the temples.
The above information comes from the book, Planning LDS Weddings & Receptions. A brand-new edition of this long-time favorite for LD S engaged couples has just been released. To order the book or learn more about it visit Horizon Publishers. Book excerpt used with permission from the publisher.