Alyssa Matt

p h o t o & v i d e o

Cincinnati, OH

husband and wife team

temple weddings

the church of jesus christ of latter day saints

WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR SEALING

After you and your fiancé have decided to get married, scheduling a sealing date and time is the first thing you’ll need to do! Heads up: some temples are so busy that it has become common for couples to book their sealing date before even getting officially engaged. This way they are more likely to have a variety of date and time options available for their sealing.

Sealings are most commonly scheduled for around 10-11 am. However, if you want to have a more personalized wedding day experience (especially if you are getting married on a Saturday) we recommend scheduling your sealing before 10 am or after 2pm! This will equal much fewer crowds and much better lighting for your photos.

HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR SEALING

Once you have a date (or two) in mind, contact the temple of your choice by phone and/or email and they will let you know if they have availability on those dates you’re interested in. They will help you schedule a time and will give you instructions for what steps you’ll need to take next. As your scheduled wedding day gets closer, this will usually include submitting a couple of documents, including a copy of your temple recommends and marriage license. Just before your wedding, they will also send you a very specific list of what to bring to your sealing.

Every wedding party has guests that will be in the group pictures outside of the temple, but will not be entering the temple for the sealing.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE TEMPLE AND WHY IT'S SACRED

This is the perfect opportunity to explain to children or other loved ones who will not be entering the temple, why you and your fiancé are choosing a temple marriage. You can start by explaining that we believe a husband and wife can be together forever! The sealing ordinance is a marriage ceremony performed in Latter-day Saint temples by a person holding the sealing authority. During this ordinance, a husband and wife make sacred covenants with the Lord and with each other. These covenants assure them that their relationship will continue after this life if they remain true to their commitments. This means that nothing, not even death, can separate them.

WHEN TO ARRIVE AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Tell your friends and family who will be waiting outside to arrive 30 minutes after the start of your sealing time.
Make sure that your guests who will not be going into the temple know there if your temple has a public waiting area. Public bathrooms and drinking fountains are usually available.
Ask a guest who will be waiting outside to be in charge of putting the boutonnières on the groomsmen and handing out the flower bouquets to the bridesmaids. This should be done after the other guests have exited the temple but before the bride and groom do.

temple timeline

the church of jesus christ of latter day saints

30-70 minutes after start time

It usually takes an additional 15-30 minutes for the bride and groom to change into their wedding attire before they exit the temple as husband and wife!
Phones are not used inside of the temple so guests won’t know exactly when the couple will be ready for their exit.
The bride’s mom (or another helper of the bride’s choice), will exit just before the couple does. This is a great signal to guests and the photographer that the wedding couple is about to exit.

Scheduled Start Time

The sealing itself is typically 20-40 minutes, after which your guests will exit the temple.

30 min prior to sealing

The temple will usually ask that you arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the start of your sealing. You and your fiancé will enter in Sunday dress and change into your temple clothes inside of the temple. Your guests will remain in their Sunday clothes, although they will be asked to remove their shoes after entering the temple.

ALL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DRESS

Did you know brides may wear their wedding dresses in the temple for the actual sealing ceremony? Here are the exact dress specifications required by the temple.

DRESS MUST BE:
pure white
without heavy ornamentation
have long sleeves
a modest neckline
all sheer material lined
the train must be removable or be able to be pinned or hooked up out of the way

If it doesn't quite meet these requirements many temples offer cardigan-type cover ups.

“If there is any question about appropriateness, take the dress or fabric and pattern to the temple for approval. Brides may wear their wedding dresses during the endowment session but must remove the trains for the session. They may not wear gowns with long dress pants in the temple. Many temples have beautiful white dresses for those who might need one for their special occasion. Check with individual temples for availability.”

Because many wedding dresses do not meet these requirements, the majority of brides wear a simple, white temple dress for the sealing. But, the temple does allow you to bring your actual wedding dress into the temple so that you can change into it prior to exiting the temple.

FAMILY PICTURES

When creating your shot list try to put groups with children in them at the beginning so they can get finished first.
Keep in mind that each combination takes about 3 minutes.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS

Every temple has a little different requirements, but most do not allow flowers inside of the temple. Many brides will leave their bouquet and the groom’s boutonniere with a sister or bridesmaid that can deliver it at the temple exit just before the bride and groom make their big appearance for all of the pictures. Just make sure they know to keep your bouquet out of the heat and in a vase of cool water so that the blooms stay looking fresh!

ALL ABOUT EXITING THE TEMPLE

It is appropriate to have a joyful celebration after the bride and groom exit the temple. Just remember to stay reverent with voices somewhat low, especially as the temple doors open and close frequently, letting noise in. Check with your temple if bubbles are allowed.

checklist

wedding day

The temple will provide you with a list of exactly what you need to bring. But, here is the general list of what you should have gathered and ready to go.

Temple Recommend
Marriage License
Temple Marriage Recommend
Wedding Attire
Temple Clothing
Wedding Bands & Rings
Makeup Touch-Up Kit For The Bride
Wedding Bouquet, Bridesmaids’ Flowers, & Boutonnieres

Instead of a cool getaway car at the end of the night, get one for the temple to your next event. Bonus if you can just sit back and enjoy being chauffeured as a new husband and wife

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Set aside 10-15 minutes after your photos but before you leave the temple to reflect on your sealing and write down what feelings and words you remember. It’s such an important part of the day that can easily be forgotten. If you’re short on time, record a voice memo in the car on the way to your next event

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Ask guests to write down what they remember from your sealing, or other thoughts, feelings, and advice they have for you while they wait for you to exit the temple.

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Ask a wedding guest (not someone in your immediate family) to be in charge of bringing some water and even snacks for those waiting outside of the temple! A cooler full of ice cold water can make all the difference on a hot day. Better yet, rent a food truck for friends and family to gather at in a nearby parking lot if allowed.

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