A Comprehensive Guide to LDS Wedding Announcements

Latter-day Saint wedding announcements often need to do more than share a date and location. They may communicate a temple sealing, civil marriage, reception, open house, luncheon, or other celebration to different groups of family and friends. Because temple sealings are sacred religious ordinances with specific attendance requirements, couples often need wording that is both warm and clear about which events each recipient is invited to attend. The most useful approach is to separate the spiritual event from the social logistics. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints describes a temple marriage as a sealing, in which a husband and wife make sacred covenants and are united for time and eternity according to Latter-day Saint belief. A wedding announcement can acknowledge that meaning without trying to reproduce sacred language or explain temple ordinances in detail.

What an LDS Wedding Announcement Needs to Communicate

An LDS wedding announcement usually needs to distinguish between the couple’s marriage or temple sealing and the reception, open house or other celebration that friends and family may attend. A well-designed announcement makes the public event easy to understand without disclosing unnecessary temple details or implying that everyone who receives the announcement is invited to every part of the day. Couples ordering LDS wedding announcements should therefore decide the guest structure before choosing wording or design. An LDS wedding announcement is a printed or digital card that shares news of a marriage and, when applicable, the couple’s temple sealing and related celebrations. Depending on the couple’s plans, the card may function as:

A formal announcement only; An invitation to a reception; An invitation to an open house; An invitation to a civil ceremony; An invitation to a wedding breakfast or luncheon; A notice that the couple will be sealed in a temple. It is important not to assume that every person receiving the announcement is being invited to every event. Clear wording prevents awkward misunderstandings.

Temple Sealing and Reception Details Should Be Kept Distinct

The The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: About Temple Sealings explains the religious meaning of temple sealing, while the current General Handbook: Temple Ordinances for the Living states that attendance is limited to those who meet temple requirements and are invited by the couple. That makes it helpful to keep sealing logistics separate from reception information sent to a broader audience. The Church’s current General Handbook states that attendance at a temple sealing is limited. Couples are encouraged to invite only close family members and friends, and adult members attending must generally be endowed and hold a current temple recommend, subject to Church policy and limited exceptions. By contrast, receptions and open houses can include a much broader group of relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and community members. The Church itself notes that couples married in the temple often celebrate afterward with family and friends through a reception or other cultural tradition. For announcement design, this means you usually do not need to put detailed temple-attendance rules on the card. Instead, state the sealing information appropriately and make the reception invitation unmistakable.

Wording, Names and Event Details Should Be Clear Before Design Begins

The exact details depend on the event, but most announcements should answer six basic questions:

1. Who? Names of the couple, and optionally parents.
2. What? Marriage, sealing, reception, open house, luncheon, or celebration.
3. When? Date and time.
4. Where? Venue and full address where guests are expected to go.
5. Who is invited? Make the social event clear.
6. How should guests respond? RSVP details if needed.

A wedding website URL or QR code can carry travel instructions, registry information, dress guidance, parking details, and other information that would overcrowd the card. Should the temple address be printed? If recipients are not being invited to attend the temple sealing, printing a temple address may create confusion. For many announcement-only cards, simply naming the temple is enough, for example: They will be sealed for time and eternity in the Draper Utah Temple.

Then place the reception location and address in a separate invitation section. For people who are specifically invited to the sealing, practical instructions can be communicated separately. The couple should also follow the instructions given by the temple when scheduling the ordinance. How to refer to a temple sealing respectfully The Church uses the term sealing for the ordinance that joins a husband and wife for time and eternity. Current Church materials explain that the couple makes covenants with God and with one another during the ordinance.

Simple wording usually works best. Examples include: “will be sealed for time and eternity”; “will be married and sealed”; “joyfully announce their temple marriage”; “were sealed for time and eternity” for a post-wedding announcement. A wedding announcement should not attempt to recreate or dramatize the ordinance itself. The sacred meaning can be communicated through restrained language. Formal LDS wedding announcement wording Traditional announcements often name both sets of parents and use formal date wording. Example: Mr. and Mrs. David Anderson are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Rachel Marie, to Benjamin James Carter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Carter. Rachel and Benjamin will be sealed for time and eternity in the Jordan River Utah Temple on Saturday, June 20. Please join us for a reception in their honor from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at [venue and address]. This format distinguishes the temple event from the event the broader recipient list is asked to attend. Modern wording for a reception invitation Modern cards can be shorter without being vague. Example: Rachel Anderson & Benjamin Carter are getting married! They will be sealed in the Jordan River Utah Temple on June 20. Please celebrate with us at a reception that evening from 6:30–9:00 p.m. at [venue]. A clear hierarchy on the card can make this easy to scan: couple names first, sealing statement second, reception details third. Post-wedding announcement wording Some couples mail announcements after a private marriage or sealing, especially when the celebration occurs later. Example:

With joy, we announce that Rachel Anderson and Benjamin Carter were sealed for time and eternity in the Jordan River Utah Temple on June 20. Please join us at an open house in their honor on July 11 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at [venue]. Using the past tense immediately tells recipients that the marriage has already occurred. Wording after a civil marriage followed by a temple sealing The Church’s current handbook allows civilly married members who meet applicable requirements to be sealed afterward. Where the temple marriage itself is not legally recognized, or in other circumstances described by Church policy, a civil marriage may precede the sealing. An announcement can keep the wording simple: Rachel and Benjamin were married in a civil ceremony on June 18 and will be sealed in the Jordan River Utah Temple on June 20. Please join their families for a reception on June 20 at [venue]. The announcement does not need to explain Church policy. It only needs to communicate the couple’s actual schedule accurately.

Plan the Announcement With Non-Temple Guests and Blended Families in Mind

This is one of the most sensitive aspects of a Latter-day Saint wedding. Some relatives and close friends may not be eligible to enter the temple for the sealing. Clear and compassionate planning can help prevent the reception or civil celebration from feeling secondary. Useful approaches include: Make the reception genuinely inclusive and meaningful.; Do not imply that temple attendance is a measure of how much the couple values a guest.; Give non-attending family members clear information about where and when to meet afterward.; Plan family photographs so people who were not in the sealing can still participate.; If a civil ceremony is part of the couple’s plan, communicate its invitation separately and clearly.. For questions about who may attend a sealing, couples should use current Church guidance and counsel with local leaders rather than relying on old wedding-etiquette blogs. Do you need a separate sealing invitation? Often, yes. A small sealing card, private message, or personal invitation for eligible close family and friends can keep the main wedding announcement simple. This approach has several advantages: The public announcement does not need to explain temple restrictions.; Sealing guests receive exact arrival instructions.; The couple can update a small group easily if the temple schedule changes.; Reception guests see only the information relevant to them..

Reception, Open House and Other Celebrations Need Their Own Language

The The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Common Questions can help nonmembers understand basic Church terminology, but the announcement itself should use ordinary, welcoming language whenever possible. Guests should not need prior knowledge of LDS vocabulary to understand when and where they are invited. Latter-day Saint weddings can include several types of celebrations. The announcement should use the event name that accurately describes what guests should expect.

Church guidance on ring exchanges The Church’s current General Handbook states that couples may exchange rings at a civil ceremony, at their temple sealing, or at both, depending on circumstances. It also states that a ring exchange should not replicate any part of the sealing ceremony and that couples should not exchange vows after being sealed in the temple. Because policies can change, couples planning any separate ceremony around a temple sealing should verify current guidance with local Church leaders. How far in advance should announcements be sent?

There is no Church-wide religious rule that wedding announcements must be mailed a specific number of weeks in advance. Timing is primarily a practical etiquette decision. A useful planning range is: Save the date: several months ahead when many guests will travel.; Formal reception invitation: often around six to eight weeks before the event.; Local open house: sometimes a little closer to the date.; Post-wedding announcement: soon after the marriage when there is no upcoming event.. Adjust timing for holidays, international mail, school schedules, and destination travel.

Who should receive an announcement? Start with people who have a real relationship with the couple or their families rather than treating the mailing list as a social obligation. Potential recipients include: Immediate and extended family; Close friends; Ward and stake friends; Mission companions or former roommates; College friends; Neighbors; Mentors; Coworkers where appropriate. If the announcement includes an invitation to a hosted event, make sure the venue capacity and budget can accommodate the list. How to address divorced, remarried, or blended families There is no need to force a traditional parent-host wording when it does not fit the family. “Together with their families” is flexible and inclusive. Other options include:

List both parents separately.; List parents and stepparents according to the couple’s relationships.; Omit parent names entirely and let the couple announce the marriage themselves.. The best wording is accurate and considerate, not necessarily the most traditional. Should you use “LDS” on the announcement? Usually, there is no need. Naming the temple and using “sealed for time and eternity” already communicates the context to people familiar with the faith. The Church asks that its full name—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—be used when referring formally to the Church. On a wedding card, however, couples can often avoid denominational labels entirely and focus on the event itself. Temple photography and imagery Temple imagery is common in Latter-day Saint wedding designs, but it is not required. A tasteful photograph or illustration can connect the announcement to the sealing location. Other design directions include:

Engagement photography; Minimal typography; Botanical artwork; Landscape imagery from the couple’s location; Subtle temple line art; Classic letterpress or foil details. Make sure you have permission to use any photograph, illustration, or copyrighted artwork in printed or commercial materials.

Design for Readability, Mobile Viewing and the Couple’s Actual Style

Create a clear visual hierarchy The couple’s names should be the most prominent text. The reception date, time, and location should be easy to find at a glance. Do not use too many fonts One display typeface plus a highly readable serif or sans-serif font is usually enough. Script fonts become difficult to read when used for addresses and small details. Use adequate contrast Light gray text on white paper may look elegant on a monitor but become difficult to read after printing. Always order or print a proof. Plan for mobile viewing If the announcement will be sent digitally, test it on a phone. Tiny type and wide landscape layouts can become unreadable.

Printed Cards, Digital Invitations and Wedding Websites Can Work Together

Printed announcements feel traditional and can become keepsakes. Digital versions are faster, easier to update, and useful for younger guests or large networks. Many couples use both: Printed cards for family and close friends; Digital reminders for RSVP and travel details; A wedding website for updates. Specialist vendors offering LDS wedding announcements can provide temple-oriented templates, while general invitation printers may offer a wider variety of contemporary styles. Whichever vendor you use, proofread every date, name, address, and temple name before approving print production. What to put on a wedding website A website is the best place for information that does not belong on the announcement card: Reception map; Parking instructions; Hotel recommendations; Airport information; Registry links; RSVP form; Dress expectations; Schedule changes; Frequently asked questions. If some guests are unfamiliar with Latter-day Saint temples, a short respectful note can explain that the temple sealing is a sacred religious ordinance with limited attendance and that everyone is warmly invited to the public celebration. Avoid turning the wedding website into a theological debate or listing personal eligibility details.

Announcement proofreading checklist Before printing 200 cards, verify:

1. Both names are spelled correctly.
2. Parents’ names and titles are correct if included.
3. The temple’s official name is correct.
4. Date and day of week match.
5. Reception time is correct.
6. Venue address is complete.
7. RSVP deadline and contact method work.
8. Wedding website URL or QR code opens correctly.
9. The card does not accidentally imply that all recipients are invited to the sealing.
10. Any temple photo or artwork is licensed for use.

Common mistakes to avoid Using “invited to our sealing” on a mass mailing when not every recipient can or will attend; Publishing private temple arrival instructions to the entire guest list; Using an old policy explanation instead of current Church guidance; Putting the reception address in tiny decorative text; Failing to distinguish an announcement from an invitation; Sending the card too late for traveling guests; Forgetting to proof the printed sample.

Conclusion

A good Latter-day Saint wedding announcement honors the meaning of the couple’s marriage while making the practical invitation easy to understand. Use accurate terms such as “temple sealing,” separate sealing information from reception logistics, and communicate privately with the smaller group invited to attend the temple. There is no single required LDS announcement template. Formal, modern, minimalist, photographic, and digital designs can all work. The most important qualities are clarity, respect, accurate information, and wording that helps every recipient understand how they are included in the celebration.