Mormon Weddings: Exclusive To Mormons Only

Mormon weddings are steeped in religious tradition and ritual. Weddings are performed in temples, which are considered sacred places, and only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter. This means that only Mormons can attend a wedding in a temple. However, couples may choose to host a civil ceremony on the same day so that all guests can be included in the celebrations.

Only Mormons with a temple recommendation can attend a Mormon wedding

Mormon weddings are steeped in religious tradition and ritual. Weddings are performed in temples, which are considered sacred places by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). The temple is a dedicated space for worship, and only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter. This means that only Mormons with a temple recommendation are permitted to attend a wedding ceremony in a temple.

A temple recommendation, or a temple recommend, is issued by a church leader or bishop. It is given to those who are deemed to be living according to the values and requirements of the Mormon religion. This includes regularly attending church, paying tithes, and abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea.

The restriction on who can enter a temple and attend a wedding is based on the belief that the temple is a sacred space that requires preparation and worthiness. Preparation involves participating fully in the Mormon religion and its rituals, such as church attendance and tithing. Worthiness is determined by a person's adherence to the church's teachings and their commitment to its values.

The exclusion of non-Mormons and even some Mormons who do not have a temple recommendation can be a difficult and hurtful situation for couples and their loved ones. It may result in family members and close friends being unable to attend the wedding ceremony. In some cases, couples choose to have two ceremonies: a civil ceremony that is open to everyone, followed by a temple wedding on the same day. This allows all guests to participate in some form.

Mormon wedding traditions are deeply rooted in the belief that marriage is a sacred covenant between a couple and God. The temple wedding ceremony includes blessings and promises made to the couple and their family. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, which symbolises purity. The ceremony is typically short, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, and does not include decorations, music, or rings.

While the temple wedding ceremony is reserved for a small group of select LDS members, the wedding celebrations often include larger gatherings such as receptions, open houses, and other festivities. These events are more relaxed and accessible to a wider circle of friends and family, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Mormon wedding ceremonies are held in temples, which are considered sacred places

Mormon Wedding Ceremonies

The temple wedding ceremony may include readings from scripture, quotes, and guidance for the couple from trusted leaders. The ceremony also includes blessings and promises made to the couple and their family. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity. The ceremony is relatively short, lasting between 30 to 45 minutes, and usually takes place in the morning.

The Sealing Ceremony

An important part of a Mormon temple wedding is the sealing ceremony, during which the couple pledges themselves to each other and God, promising to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. They receive a blessing to be together for eternity, including in the afterlife. The couple kneels in front of each other at an altar and joins hands in the "Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail," a symbolic gesture representing their union.

The Wedding Reception

After the temple ceremony, the couple and their guests usually gather for pictures on the temple grounds. The reception can be held in a reception centre, cultural hall, home, or other locations. It involves dancing, a bouquet toss, and a celebratory send-off. The reception may also include a ring ceremony, where the couple exchanges wedding bands, as this is not an official part of the temple wedding.

Mormon wedding receptions are typically large parties or intimate gatherings, reflecting the couple's style. There is no specific traditional food or drink served, but alcohol, coffee, and tea are not included, as Mormons do not consume them.

Temple weddings are exclusive to maintain a sense of sacredness

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or the Mormon Church, places a great deal of emphasis on the sacredness of the wedding ceremony. This is reflected in the various traditions and rituals that are observed during a Mormon wedding. One of the most significant aspects is the location of the wedding – a temple dedicated to sacred worship. Only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter the temple, and guests are required to have a temple recommendation issued by a church leader or bishop. This exclusivity is maintained to preserve the sanctity of the ceremony and ensure that those in attendance respect what is held sacred.

The decision to have a temple wedding can be difficult for couples with non-Mormon friends and family, as it means that some loved ones will not be able to attend the ceremony. This can cause conflict and hurt feelings, especially for parents who have always dreamed of witnessing their child's wedding. However, for devout Mormons, the importance of a temple marriage outweighs these concerns. They believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God, and that the union is meant to last forever, even into the afterlife. This belief in "eternal families" is a core teaching of the Mormon faith, and the temple wedding ceremony is seen as a crucial step in achieving this eternal bond.

The temple wedding ceremony itself is short, usually lasting only 30 to 45 minutes, and is devoid of decorations, music, rings, or other rituals commonly associated with weddings. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity, and may also wear green aprons with a fig leaf pattern, representing the fig leaves that Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the Garden of Eden. The ceremony includes blessings and promises made to the couple and their family, and they are sealed together for time and eternity.

While the exclusivity of temple weddings may be difficult for some, it is a reflection of the deep religious significance that Mormons attach to the institution of marriage. By restricting attendance to fellow believers, the Mormon Church aims to preserve the sanctity and sacredness of the ceremony, ensuring that it is conducted in an atmosphere of reverence and respect.

Non-Mormon family members are excluded from temple weddings

Mormon weddings are a sacred affair, steeped in religious tradition and symbolism. However, this also means that only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter the temple and attend the wedding ceremony. This can be a difficult situation for couples with non-Mormon family members or friends, as they will not be able to witness the wedding ceremony and may feel excluded.

The Temple Wedding Ceremony

Mormon temple weddings are typically short, lasting around 30 to 45 minutes. They are held in a sealing room within the temple, which includes an altar, two large mirrors on opposite walls, a chandelier, and chairs for the wedding guests. The bride and groom enter the sealing room together, followed by their temple-recommend-holding family and friends. The sealer, usually an older man, gives a brief counsel before performing the sacred rite that seals the couple together for eternity.

The Exclusion of Non-Mormons

The exclusion of non-Mormons from temple weddings is a long-standing tradition in the Mormon faith. Only members of the Church with current temple recommends can attend the wedding ceremony. To obtain a temple recommend, individuals must follow certain rules, including abstaining from coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as staying current with tithes and regularly attending church meetings. This can be a challenge for those with non-Mormon family members or friends, as they will not be able to obtain a temple recommend and, therefore, will not be allowed to enter the temple.

The Impact of Exclusion

The exclusion of non-Mormon family members from temple weddings can have a significant impact on the couple and their families. It can cause hurt feelings, resentment, and even contention within the family. The couple may struggle with the decision to prioritize their religious beliefs over the inclusion of their loved ones. It is also a difficult situation for non-Mormon parents, who may have looked forward to their child's wedding day their entire lives, only to be told that they cannot attend.

Ways to Include Non-Mormon Family Members

Some couples choose to have two ceremonies—a civil ceremony and a temple wedding—to include all their family members and friends. This is a common practice in countries outside North America, where weddings are required to be public events. In North America, however, there is a restriction on combining civil and temple weddings in the same year. Another way to include non-Mormon family members is to have a ring ceremony or a mock wedding event, where the bride walks down the aisle and pictures are taken, followed by a reception or open house.

Some countries allow two ceremonies, one civil and one temple, so that all guests can attend

In some countries, couples are allowed to have two ceremonies, one civil and one temple, so that all guests can attend. This is because, in the Mormon faith, only those who follow the religion are allowed to enter the temple. This means that couples with friends and family outside the faith may find themselves without their loved ones on their big day.

In the past, couples in the United States who chose a public civil ceremony faced consequences for the decision -- forced to wait a full year before holding a temple wedding, in order to re-establish their worthiness to enter the temple. However, this year-long wait wasn't universal within the LDS Church. In fact, only three countries (the US, Canada, and South Africa) enforced it. Other countries with large Mormon populations, such as the UK, have long allowed civil ceremonies to be followed by same-day temple weddings, to accommodate families with members inside and outside the faith.

After repeated petitioning from members of the Church, leaders updated their rules for civil ceremonies in 2019. Now, couples are permitted to hold civil ceremonies directly followed by temple sealings, although the strict rules around the sealings themselves remain in place.

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