Rhiannon Hendricks
Mormon weddings, also known as Latter-day Saint weddings, are sacred and private celebrations of love. The length of a Mormon wedding depends on whether the couple chooses to have a civil ceremony or a temple wedding. Civil ceremonies are more flexible and can be personalised, while temple weddings have stricter rules and require more planning. The sealing ceremony in a temple wedding usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, but the entire wedding process, including preparation, family portraits, and greeting guests, can take 1.5 to 2 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding venue | Mormon chapels, cultural halls, temples |
| Wedding attire | Groom: Temple clothing; Bride: Temple dress or wedding dress |
| Wedding guests | Family and close friends; must be endowed Church members with current temple recommends |
| Wedding witnesses | Two male witnesses with current temple recommends and belonging to the Melchizedek Priesthood |
| Wedding rings | Exchanged after the marriage ceremony while still in the sealing room |
| Wedding vows | Exchanged after the marriage ceremony |
| Wedding photography | Allowed almost anywhere on temple grounds but not inside the temple |
| Wedding duration | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
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What You'll Learn
Civil ceremonies vs temple weddings
Civil ceremonies and temple weddings are two ways that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, can get married. While temple weddings are considered sacred and private celebrations of love, civil ceremonies offer more flexibility and inclusivity. Here is a comparison between the two:
Civil Ceremonies
Civil ceremonies are a popular choice for Mormon couples who want to include all their loved ones in the celebration. In a civil ceremony, non-members of the Church can be present during the wedding, whereas temple weddings require the couple and their guests to be endowed Church members with current "temple recommends". By choosing a civil ceremony, couples can circumvent the Church's chastity requirements and have more control over the content and timing of their wedding. They can also avoid the added expense of travelling to a temple, which may be far away.
Temple Weddings
Temple weddings, also known as sealing ceremonies, are highly significant in Mormon culture as they unite couples not only as husband and wife but also for "life" beyond in heaven. The ceremony typically takes place inside a sealing room in the "House of the Lord" and is presided over by a bishop or branch president. The bride and groom must wear temple clothing and can change into regular wedding attire afterwards for photographs. Two male witnesses who are worthy, endowed Melchizedek Priesthood holders with current temple recommends are required for the ceremony. While photographs are not permitted inside the temple, they can be taken anywhere else on the temple grounds.
In conclusion, civil ceremonies offer Mormons a more flexible and inclusive option for their wedding, while temple weddings are a sacred and traditional choice. The choice between the two depends on the couple's religious observance, desire for a public or private ceremony, and the importance they place on including all their loved ones in the celebration.
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Wedding day timeline
A Mormon wedding timeline will vary depending on the couple's preferences, the location, and the availability of the temple. Here is a general timeline for a Mormon wedding day:
Bride and Groom Preparation (1.5–2 hours):
This includes hair, makeup, getting dressed, and taking first-look photos. It is important to leave room for emotions and unexpected moments during this time.
Family Portraits (30 minutes–1 hour):
Gather your family members for formal portraits. It is helpful to delegate a family member or a coordinator to ensure everyone is ready and on time.
Temple Ceremony (45 minutes–1 hour):
The sealing ceremony inside the temple usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes. However, you should arrive earlier as instructed by the temple to allow for preparation. Only endowed Church members with current temple recommends can attend the ceremony. Remember to bring the required two male witnesses who are worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders.
Temple Exit and Greeting Guests (15–30 minutes):
After the ceremony, the couple exits the temple and is greeted by their cheering family and friends. This is a joyous moment for the newlyweds and is often compared to the first kiss at traditional altar weddings.
Wedding Photos and Celebrations (Flexible duration):
The couple and their guests can take formal and candid wedding photos on the temple grounds. Non-members of the church can join the celebrations outside the temple. It is recommended to skip the traditional receiving line to save time.
Reception (Flexible duration):
The reception can be held at a cultural hall or a chapel. This is a time for further celebrations, including food, drinks, and entertainment.
It is important to work closely with your photographer and other vendors to create a realistic and flexible timeline that captures all the important moments of your wedding day.
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Wedding attire
Mormon weddings are held in sacred temples, and the dress code for guests is relatively laid-back. The key thing to remember is modesty. For men, a suit is always a safe option, but they can also opt for dress pants and a polo shirt. For women, a dress that rides the line between modest and fashion-forward is ideal. Sleeves are recommended, but they can be sheer. Hair can be styled in a slicked-back bun to show off the dress.
If you are attending a pre-wedding endowment ceremony, you will be required to wear all-white clothing to symbolize purity. This is a traditional and secretive ritual, and only Mormons are allowed to attend.
If you are unsure about what to wear, it is best to consult the couple or other wedding guests. It is important to feel comfortable and respected in your attire.
For the couple, the groom will wear his temple clothing during the ceremony and change into more modern clothing for pictures afterward. The bride can also wear a temple dress or change into a wedding dress for photos.
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Wedding photography
Firstly, it's important to note that only endowed Church members with current "temple recommends" are allowed to enter the temple and participate in the wedding ceremony. This includes both the wedding couple and their guests. The couple must also secure two male witnesses for their sealing, who must also be endowed Church members with current temple recommends. As a result, the guest list for a Mormon wedding is often much smaller than a traditional wedding, and the photographer should be prepared to capture more intimate moments rather than large group shots.
Another key difference is that photography is not permitted inside the temple during the ceremony. This means that the photographer will need to be creative in capturing the wedding celebrations, focusing on moments outside the temple, such as the couple's exit and greeting guests, as well as family portraits and candid moments. It is also common for the bride and groom to change into appropriate wedding attire after the ceremony, so photographers can take advantage of this opportunity to capture some special moments.
To make the most of the photography, it is essential to work closely with the couple to understand their priorities and create a well-structured timeline. For example, some couples may want to capture the intimate joy of their first moments as a married couple, while others may prefer to focus on the excitement of the reception entrance. It is also important to factor in travel time, unforeseen delays, and bathroom breaks to ensure that the day unfolds smoothly and no cherished moments are missed.
In terms of specific shots, there are some traditional moments that are unique to Mormon weddings. For example, the couple's exit from the temple is often considered the equivalent of the first kiss at a traditional wedding, so photographers should be sure to capture this moment. Additionally, the exchange of rings is not part of the temple ceremony, so photographers may want to capture this moment after the ceremony, either inside the sealing room or on the temple grounds.
Overall, photographing a Mormon wedding requires a good understanding of the culture and traditions, as well as a flexible and discreet approach to capture the intimate and sacred moments that are unique to this type of wedding.
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Wedding venues
A Mormon wedding ceremony is a sacred ritual that is usually held in a temple. The temple ceremony is a private and solemn affair, with only close friends and family in attendance—generally 25 to 40 people. The bride and groom wear symbolic temple clothing in bright white, representing purity. The couple kneels at an altar, representing their humility before God, and the priest, or "sealer", delivers a short speech about how to have a happy marriage. The ceremony concludes with the couple exchanging vows and rings.
Following the ceremony, the couple changes into their wedding attire and the wedding party often moves to a separate venue for the reception. The reception is a lively and joyful celebration of the couple's new life together, blending traditional wedding customs with the church's values of family, community, and wholesome entertainment. These gatherings often reflect the couple's personalities and incorporate cultural and religious elements.
Mormon wedding receptions are typically held in venues such as church cultural halls, reception centres, family homes, or rented spaces. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a strong focus on creating lasting memories. For couples with friends and family who are unable to attend the temple sealing, it is common to hold a symbolic ring exchange or ceremony during the reception.
Some couples choose to hold non-temple ceremonies or receptions to include family members and friends who are not able to attend the temple wedding. These can be held in any church building, with a bishop officiating the marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
The sealing ceremony usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, but the entire wedding timeline can be much longer.
Until 2019, couples in the United States who chose a public civil ceremony had to wait a full year before holding a temple wedding. However, this rule was changed in 2019 due to repeated petitioning from members of the Church.
It is recommended to make an appointment with the bishop or branch president for temple recommend interviews well in advance of the wedding, so that neither party feels rushed or pressured for time.
