LDS Temple Wedding Guidelines

Planning your temple sealing in Utah – everything you need to know in 2026, explained simply for everyone

A temple sealing (sometimes called a temple wedding or temple marriage) is a sacred ceremony performed inside an LDS temple where a couple is joined together as husband and wife—not just for this life, but for all eternity.

The Church’s official explanation says it best: “In our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, a husband and wife can be together forever. The authority to unite families forever is called the sealing power… An eternal marriage is therefore called a sealing.”

This guide is written so anyone—whether you’re a lifelong Church member, a new convert, a non-member family member, or simply curious—can understand exactly what to expect. We’ve pulled the clearest, most current details straight from the Church’s 2026 General Handbook so you don’t have to hunt for answers.

Here in Utah, with more than 20 temples across the state (plus easy access from Southeast Idaho), thousands of local couples choose a temple sealing every year. Salt Lake Bride’s free planning tools were built for exactly this moment: our customizable Wedding Checklist (with temple ceremony options), 12-Month Timeline, and Vendor Directory (which lists every Utah temple as a faith-based ceremony venue with photos, maps, and contact info) help you stay organized and calm.

Start by setting your date and contacting the temple early—popular weekends fill quickly. Here’s your simple, step-by-step guide.

1. Temple Recommends (The “Tickets” You Need)

You and your fiancé must each have two current recommends:

• A regular temple recommend
• A Recommend for Living Ordinances (issued digitally through your bishop and stake president via Ordinance Preparation in LCR)

The General Handbook states clearly: “To be sealed to a spouse, members must be endowed. They must also have… A temple recommend for living ordinances… [and] A current temple recommend for endowed members.”

Schedule your recommend interviews as soon as your date is set. This gives everyone plenty of time.

2. Marriage License (The Legal Part)

Utah law requires a valid marriage license.

• Both of you must apply together in person at any county clerk’s office.
• Bring ID, proof of age, and Social Security numbers.
• The license is usually valid for 30 days.

Bring the original license to the temple on your sealing day. (If you were already married civilly, you simply note the civil marriage date instead.)

3. Scheduling Your Sealing Appointment

Contact the temple as soon as you have your date. Most Utah temples use the Church’s online reservation system, but calling directly is still the easiest way to confirm times and get your personalized instruction letter.

The handbook says: “Members who are planning to be sealed to a spouse should contact the temple in advance to schedule the ordinance… The temple will provide instructions when the appointment is scheduled.”

Plan to arrive about 60 minutes early with your escort and witnesses (some temples ask for 30 minutes—always confirm). Guests should arrive 30 minutes early.

4. Your Escort

An endowed sister (ideally a family member) can accompany the bride to help in the dressing room. An endowed brother can do the same for the groom. The handbook explains: “An endowed sister may accompany the sister who is being sealed… An endowed brother may do the same for the brother who is being sealed. An escort must have a current temple recommend. The temple can provide an escort if needed.”

5. Guests

Invite only the number of people who can comfortably fit in the sealing room—usually close family and friends. The handbook is clear: “Couples should invite only close family members and friends to a temple sealing. Accountable members must be endowed and have a current temple recommend to attend.”

Guests wear Sunday-best clothing (modest, like sacrament meeting). Tuxedos and overly formal wear are not appropriate inside. No flowers are worn during the ceremony.

6. What to Wear (Clothing Guidelines)

• Bride: A white, modest dress with long or three-quarter sleeves, high neckline, and no elaborate decoration. It must cover temple garments. The handbook states: “A bride’s dress worn in the temple should be white, modest in design and fabric, and free of elaborate ornamentation. It also should cover the temple garment… Dresses should not have a train unless it can be pinned up or removed.”
• Groom: Wears standard temple clothing during the ceremony (he can wear formal clothes outside).
• The temple keeps a supply of dresses you can reserve in advance—call ahead.

Veils, hats, and tuxedos are perfect for photos outside but not worn inside.

7. Photography & Video

No photos or filming are allowed inside the temple. Cameras and phones stay at the recommend desk. You’ll have a beautiful (but brief) window for photos right afterward on the temple grounds. Our Vendor Directory has photographers who specialize in temple sessions and know the best spots at each location.

8. Rings

Exchanging rings is not part of the sealing ceremony itself. The handbook says: “Exchanging rings is not part of the temple sealing ceremony. However, couples may exchange rings after the ceremony in the sealing room. Couples should not exchange rings at any other time or place in a temple or on temple grounds.”

Many couples also plan a separate ring ceremony later for non-member family and friends.

9. Temple Grounds Etiquette

• No rice, birdseed, confetti, bubbles, or car decorating.
• Keep the sacred space reverent for everyone.
• Save big group photos in formal attire for your reception.

Next Steps That Make Planning Peaceful and Easy

You’ve waited for this eternal moment—now let’s keep the planning joyful instead of stressful. Salt Lake Bride’s tools are here to help:

• Start your free customizable Wedding Checklist (temple version included) to track recommends, license, and every detail.
• Build your 12-Month Timeline so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Browse every Utah temple in our Vendor Directory under Faith-Based Ceremony Venues—each listing has photos, maps, contact info, and specific notes.
• Find temple-grounds photographers, nearby reception venues, florists, and more—all in one local place.

Official Church Resources

(hyperlinked in the live post)

These are the exact sources we quoted above so you can read them yourself:

1. General Handbook: 27. Temple Ordinances for the Living
   Primary source for sealings, scheduling, clothing, escorts, guests, and rings
2. General Handbook: 26. Temple Recommends
   Details on the two recommends you need
3. About the Temple Sealing
   Beautiful explanation of what the ceremony means

Questions? Call us at (801) 792-6479 or email info [at] SaltLakeBride.com. We’re your local Utah wedding guides, and we’re here to help—no matter where you are in your planning journey.

Happy planning—and congratulations on your temple sealing.

— The Salt Lake Bride Team
Utah’s trusted local wedding resource since helping brides plan temple days across Salt Lake, Utah Valley, Ogden, Logan, Southern Utah, and Southeast Idaho.