We're glad you asked! You may be wondering how a temple wedding (also called a temple sealing) is different from a regular wedding ceremony and what happens during a temple sealing. We believe in a loving Heavenly Father who wants to bless all of His children in this life and the next. This includes the opportunity to be together as a couple and a family, both now and throughout eternity. We also believe that strong marriages are built on the foundation of the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the temple, we make sacred covenants, or promises, with Heavenly Father. Keeping those covenants teaches us to become more like our Savior. In turn, Heavenly Father blesses us for keeping our covenants and promises us that we can be with our families forever. The covenant we make during marriage is called a "sealing" because it binds us to our family and brings us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The temple sealing itself is short, simple, and sweet. During the sealing ceremony, we will kneel across an altar and make promises with Heavenly Father to love and care for each other forever.
While attendance at the sealing ceremony inside the temple is limited to adult church members, all are welcome to visit the temple grounds. There are also spaces inside the temple where any guest can wait, regardless of whether they can attend the sealing. After the sealing, family and friends gather outside the doors of the temple to celebrate with the couple as they exit the temple as husband and wife. This is also when group photos will be taken. We would love to have you there to celebrate with us!
Wedding rings are not exchanged as part of a temple sealing. Some couples (including us) choose to make this a separate event or part of the reception so that all family members can participate. It's similar to a traditional wedding ceremony except no vows are exchanged because the couple is already married.
Absolutely! While the invitation to join us at the Payson temple for pictures is always open (no RSVP necessary), we understand that everyone has different preferences. You're welcome to join the party whenever works for you! The ring ceremony starts at 5:00 PM with dinner being served right after. We would love to see you there!