The lds wedding checklist
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Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to be eternally sealed to their partners. Marriage sealing ordinances take place in approximately sixty sacred temples throughout the country. As an LDS bride, plans for your sealing will be top priority. You and your fiance must obtain Recommends from the church, granting permission to enter the temple and receive the sealing ordinance. Requirements include being a member of the church for one year and abstaining from sex, drugs and alcohol. The sealing is sacred -- only church members who have received Temple Recommends are permitted to be witnesses. Many couples plan ring ceremonies and receptions to celebrate with all friends and family. This equates to heavy planning -- it's best to get started as soon as he pops the question.
Days Following Accepted Proposal
LDS couples have short engagements, so start planning right away.
Determine your engagement length. The Brigham Young University "Before Forever" premarital guide recommends short engagements, since sexual temptation can jeopardize temple ceremonies. Allow enough time to prepare for your sealing and reception. Engagements between two and six months long are typical for LDS couples. Discuss whether you and your fiance are temple-worthy. Repentance time will extend engagement length. Announce your engagement to your parents and choose your bridal party. Decide whether you will have a ring ceremony and ask your parents if they will host brunch during the time between the sealing and reception. Discuss how formal you, your fiance and your families would like the wedding to be. Set a budget and determine who will contribute to wedding costs.
Six toTwo Months Prior to Wedding
Flowers and decorations are not permitted in temples. Save them for your ring ceremony
Schedule a date and time for the temple sealing. Make an appointment with your bishop to receive the necessary endowments. Print invitations once you and your fiance are temple-worthy and have a reserved sealing room. Select separate invitations for the sealing, wedding brunch and ring ceremony/reception, since most guests won't be invited to all events. Order reception decorations and favors. Ring ceremonies typically occur at the reception location. You may order an arch and flowers. Select an officiant for the ring ceremony. The officiant does not need to be a church leader, since the ceremony is symbolic and no vows are exchanged. Purchase modest, temple-ready dresses and accessories for yourself and your bridesmaids. Dresses should have sleeves and high necklines. Have your fiance and his groomsmen order tuxedos. Hire wedding vendors including the caterer, photographer, driver, baker and DJ. Purchase rings, register for gifts and book your honeymoon.
One Month Prior to Wedding
Send immediate thank-you notes for gifts arriving before the wedding.
Mail invitations. Only a few guests should be invited to the temple, since sealing rooms are small and Recommends are required to enter. Invite all guests to the ring ceremony and reception. Obtain your state marriage license. Make hair and makeup appointments. Purchase a guest book and cake serving set. Select gifts for your fiance and wedding attendants. Send thank-you notes for wedding gifts as you receive them.
Two Weeks Prior to Week Of Wedding
Don't forget to have your nails done before the big day.
Make sure you have received your Temple and Living Ordinance Recommends. Confirm plans with all your vendors and provide special request lists to your DJ and photographer. Prepare a final guest count for your caterer. Have your fiance get his hair cut and treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure. On your wedding day, don't forget your marriage license and Recommends. Pack an emergency kit with stain remover, breath mints and safety pins.
Tags: your fiance, ring ceremony, ceremony reception, engagement length, fiance temple-worthySource: www.ehow.com
