Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon) Wedding Planning
A wedding is one of the most significant events in a person's life, and for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormon), it can be a particularly meaningful occasion. As a member of the church, there isn’t a lot of information about how to plan your wedding and what makes it different than weddings outside of our faith. If you're planning an LDS wedding, here are some tips to help make the day special and memorable!
Provo City Center Temple in Utah
Choose a temple for the ceremony: LDS weddings are performed in temples, not in churches or other venues (unless you choose to do a civil ceremony as well!). The temple is considered a sacred place, and the wedding ceremony is performed by a member of the priesthood. Before choosing a temple, make sure that you and your partner are both temple-worthy, meaning you are in good standing with the church and have made the necessary preparations, such as being baptized and receiving your endowment. Contact the temple and schedule a time that works best for the big day.
Plan a reception: While the temple ceremony is the most important part of the wedding day it's also common to have a reception afterwards, especially if most of your family and friends aren’t members. You may do this at your local stake center which will help if you are on a lower budget, but feel free to have your reception wherever you think is best!
Hiring Vendors: The 3 vendors I recommend hiring for your day are a photographer, wedding planner, and DJ. I may be a bit biased as a wedding photographer, but your photographer is the most important vendor you will hire for your day. The food will end up…well you know, the flowers will wilt, the party will end, but those photographs will be there forever! Make sure you invest in your photographer. With that being said, a planning a wedding can be a lot of work, and it can be helpful to have someone to guide you through the process. A wedding planner who is familiar with the church can be a great resource, helping you with everything from choosing a temple to coordinating the reception. Lastly, I recommend a DJ (especially if you don’t have either of the two above vendors). DJ’s help make sure the day runs on schedule and they make sure to keep people on the dance floor!
Plan the music: Music can play a big role in an LDS wedding, both in the temple ceremony and the reception. Consider choosing hymns that are meaningful to you and your partner, and make sure to select musicians who are comfortable playing in a religious setting.
Choose the right attire: In the temple, both the bride and groom are expected to dress modestly and in white. This can be a simple white dress or suit, or something more elaborate, like a traditional bridal gown. Outside of the temple, you are more than welcome to wear your dress dress or anything else! Some people even opt to get sealed in their temple clothes and change back into their wedding dress for the rest of the day.
Focus on what's important: your wedding is about more than just the ceremony and the reception. It's about making a commitment to each other and to the Lord, and starting a life together as partners in marriage. As you plan your wedding, try to keep this in mind and focus on what's truly important.
These are just a few tips to help you plan a wedding that is meaningful, memorable, and reflective of your faith. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can have a beautiful wedding that celebrates your love for each other and your commitment to the Lord.
