Questions about Temple Marriage

Elder and Sister Victor L. Brown are presently serving as the president and matron of the Salt Lake Temple. The New Era asked them to respond to some questions that are commonly asked by couples planning their temple marriages and sealings.

Question: Who can attend the temple for the wedding ceremony and what do they wear? Can more than immediate family attend my temple sealing?

Answer: The temple sealing is one of the most sacred of all the ordinances on earth. It is a very happy time for families. When the number of guests invited is extensive, however, it seems to detract somewhat from the intimacy of the family experience. Thus, we discourage having too large a group attend the ceremony. Certainly, immediate family members are always welcome as are very close friends; but because of the sacred nature of the ordinance, there should not be a reception-like atmosphere. Only endowed Church members who have a current temple recommend can attend the ceremony.

Question: Does a temple marriage cost money?

Answer: No. However, if it is necessary to rent temple clothing, there is a modest charge for the clothing.

Question: What time of day do we get married in the temple?

Answer: This depends on the schedule established by each temple. It is wise to contact the temple in advance and make an appointment for the marriage. Basically, a marriage can be scheduled whenever sealing rooms are available during the hours the temple is open.

Question: Will I be allowed to wear my wedding dress to my temple marriage or sealing? If so, are there special requirements that I can know about before my marriage so that I can design my dress accordingly?

Answer: Brides may wear their wedding dresses in the temple. They should be white, have long sleeves and modestly high necklines, and have all sheer materials lined. 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.

Question: How long is the temple marriage ceremony?

Answer: The time will vary somewhat, but generally will not take more than 30 minutes from time of arrival in the sealing room to leaving the sealing room. The actual ceremony and instructions will last approximately 20 minutes.

Question: How much time should I plan for when attending the temple?

Answer: The requested arrival time before scheduled ordinances varies from temple to temple but is usually from one to two hours before the ordinances commence. You should contact the specific temple for further information. When attending the temple to be endowed only, plan for about two and one-half hours, plus the prior arrival time. When attending the temple to be both endowed and sealed, an additional 30–40 minutes should be added to the endowment time, plus the prior arrival time. Those previously endowed and attending the temple to be sealed only, should plan on about 50 minutes plus the prior arrival time requested by the temple. Time should also be allowed for changing clothes after the ceremony. All times are approximate and may vary because of the number of people receiving their own ordinances at that time and the general level of temple activity.

Question: What are the requirements for a person to receive a temple recommend for marriage?

Answer: The requirements are the same as they are to receive a temple recommend to go through for one’s own endowment or to do work for the dead. For specific questions you should consult with your own bishop who is the one who issues the temple recommend.

Question: My parents cannot get a temple recommend. What can they do while the temple ceremony is occurring?

Answer: In the Salt Lake Temple a foyer is available for those who do not have temple recommends or who are nonmembers. Here they can wait for those who are being married. After the marriage is performed, the newlyweds can come and greet their parents and have pictures taken with them on the temple grounds. If the couple to be married will let the temple workers know of the circumstances, in many cases the sealer will be happy to visit with the parents in the foyer after the ceremony to explain some of what has transpired in an effort to make them feel as comfortable as possible.