What Is an LDS Wedding, and How is it Different?

LDS is a term that refers to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are also commonly called “Mormon”, although that is a slang term. The term LDS is preferred.

The belief of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that families are extremely important, and are meant to be unified forever, not just until parted by death. Because of that belief, weddings are a very sacred ceremony, typically only attended by family members and very close friends. The ceremony takes place in a temple, which is different from a church where Sunday services are held. There are not temples in every metropolitan area. There are currently over sixty in the United States, with more being built as needed. You will find more temples where there are more members of the church. Because of this, the wedding ceremony may be held in a different city from where the bride and groom live. In this situation, the reception typically occurs in a separate city from the ceremony, and sometimes on a different day.

The temple itself is a sacred building, and only adult members of the church who are living the tenets of the faith can enter to attend a wedding ceremony. Those who cannot enter the temple usually wait outside or in the temple’s visitor’s center. When the bride and groom come out of the temple, they will greet those who are waiting, congratulations are given and pictures are usually taken on the temple grounds.   

The ceremony is short and simple, and is held in a fairly small, intimate room. The bride and groom enter together. No one gives away the bride. The officiator gives advice and direction, just like at most other weddings. Then the bride and groom hold hands as they make their vows. The exchange of rings is not a necessary part of the ceremony, as it is symbolic only. Some couples choose to exchange rings in the temple after the ceremony, if their family is present. Many decide to have a separate ring-exchange ceremony outside of the temple. The ring-exchange is usually short and simple, and is typically lead by the bishop of the congregation the bride and groom attend.

For more information on the basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here.

For a free DVD about how families can be together forever, click here.

For a free DVD about how to strengthen your family relationships, click here.