Wedding Invitations

Mormon weddings are nontraditional in that they are open only for those who are members of the
Mormon faith. The bride and groom are “sealed” for “time and eternity”
in temples open only for practicing Latter-day-Saints.

Mormon weddings are
generally small and intimate, attended only by family and close
friends. The reception afterwards is a much larger affair to which all
the friends and extended families are invited. Since more guests are
invited to the reception than the ceremony, this is a case where these unique wedding
invitations are used for the reception and the reception cards are used
as the ceremony cards which are enclosed with the invitations of those
who are invited to the temple ceremony.

These invitations to the
reception read a bit differently than a traditional reception
invitation in that it is mentioned that the wedding ceremony was
performed in the Latter-day Saint temple. Because families are
emphasized so much in the Church of Latter-day Saints, the groom’s
parents are honored by having their names mentioned on the wedding invitation.

Their names appear under the groom’s name, preceded by “son of” on a
separate line. The reception itself is a bit different as well, as they
are more of just a “drop in” affair to congratulate the new couple,
visit a bit and leave. So the invitations will mention a time frame
during which the reception will be held.

Ceremony cards draw a
distinction between weddings held in a Mormon temple and wedding held
elsewhere. When weddings are held in a temple, it is so noted on the
ceremony card. Some have asked if it is proper to send a photo of themselves along
with their wedding invitations. While it is often done by those from the
Church of Latter-day Saints, it is not proper to do so. The purpose of
the wedding invitations is to invite guests to your wedding.