A temple sealing is one of the most sacred moments in an LDS woman's life — and every detail of the day, including what you wear, is an opportunity to honor the covenant you're making. Whether you're the bride, a bridesmaid, a guest, or the mother of the bride, this guide covers everything you need to know about dressing for a temple wedding.
LDS Temple Wedding Dresses: Requirements for the Bride:
According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Handbook (Section 27), a bride's dress worn in the temple for a sealing ceremony should meet these official requirements:
- White — the dress must be white
- Modest in design and fabric
- Free of elaborate ornamentation
- Must cover the temple garment
- Sheer fabric must be lined
- Long or three-quarter sleeves
- No train unless it can be pinned up or removed for the sealing ceremony
Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Handbook, Section 27.3.2.6 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
The temple can also provide a dress if needed or desired.
Many brides choose a simple, beautiful temple sealing dress for the ceremony and a different modest wedding dress for photographs or their reception. This can be a practical way to choose a dress specifically suited to the sacred nature and clothing requirements of the sealing ceremony while still enjoying a different bridal look for the rest of the wedding day.
Shop MDB: Explore our LDS Temple Dresses, including beautiful white dresses selected with temple wear, comfort, coverage, and ease of movement in mind.
Our bridal favorite: The Haven Temple Dress was designed for women who want bridal elegance in the temple — stunning, reverent, and temple-ready.
The Groom
The groom wears normal temple clothing during the sealing ceremony. He may change into formal clothing for photographs, the reception, or other wedding events outside the temple.
Couples should contact their temple in advance for instructions related to their sealing appointment.
Guests: What to Wear to a Temple Sealing
According to the Church's General Handbook, guests attending a sealing ceremony should wear clothing similar to what they would wear to sacrament meeting. Guests should avoid clothing that is casual or that does not cover the temple garment, as well as clothing that is overly formal, such as tuxedos.
Couples are encouraged to share this clothing guidance with their guests well before the sealing.
For women, a modest Sunday dress, skirt and blouse, or another polished church-appropriate outfit can be a beautiful choice. Rather than worrying about matching the wedding party perfectly, focus on clothing that feels respectful, comfortable, and appropriate for worship in the temple.
The couple and their guests should not wear flowers during the sealing ceremony. Flowers may be worn outside the temple, including for wedding photographs.
Shop MDB: Looking for a modest dress to wear to a temple sealing? Browse our modest dresses and church-ready styles for feminine options appropriate for weddings, Sunday worship, and other special occasions.
Bridesmaids & the Wedding Party
The General Handbook does not provide a separate dress code specifically for bridesmaids. For members of the wedding party who will attend the sealing, the same guidance for guests applies: clothing should be similar to what would appropriately be worn to sacrament meeting.
Many LDS brides choose:
- Coordinating modest dresses in soft colors such as blush, sage, dusty blue, or other wedding colors
- A color palette that allows each bridesmaid to select a modest style that suits her
- Simple, elegant dresses that complement rather than compete with the bride's look
If members of the wedding party will attend the sealing, couples should share the temple clothing guidance with them ahead of time.
Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom
Mothers of the bride and groom often choose modest, elegant dresses or polished separates that coordinate with the wedding colors. Midi and longer-length dresses can both create a beautiful, sophisticated look.
For mothers attending the sealing ceremony, the same Church guidance for guests applies: choose clothing similar to what you would appropriately wear to sacrament meeting and avoid overly casual or overly formal attire.
Shop MDB: Explore our modest dresses and occasion styles for the bride, mothers, wedding party, and guests.
A Note on Temple Sealing vs. Civil Ceremony
Some LDS couples are married civilly before being sealed in the temple. Where local laws permit, couples may also be married and sealed in the same temple ceremony.
If a bride has a civil wedding before her temple sealing, she may choose one modest wedding dress for the civil ceremony and a separate temple-appropriate white dress for the sealing. This gives brides flexibility in choosing a wedding-day style while still selecting clothing appropriate for the temple ceremony.
LDS Temple Wedding Dress FAQs
What does an LDS bride wear for a temple sealing?
A bride may wear normal temple clothing or a white bridal dress that follows the temple clothing guidelines. A bridal dress worn during the sealing should be modest in design and fabric, free of elaborate ornamentation, cover the temple garment, have lining beneath sheer fabric, and have long or three-quarter sleeves. A train must be removable or able to be pinned up during the ceremony.
Can you wear your wedding dress for a temple sealing?
Yes, provided the bridal dress meets the temple's clothing guidelines. Brides should contact the temple where they will be sealed ahead of their appointment if they have questions about a particular dress.
What should guests wear to an LDS temple wedding or sealing?
If you're wondering what to wear to an LDS temple wedding or Mormon wedding, the answer depends on whether you'll be attending the sealing inside the temple or joining the couple for wedding events outside the temple.
Guests attending the sealing inside the temple should follow the Church's guidance for sealing guests (which is to wear clothing you would to sacrament meeting). Guests attending only the reception, luncheon, photographs or other wedding events can follow the couple's wedding dress code and choose a polished, modest wedding-guest outfit.
What to Wear If You're Not Attending the Temple Sealing
Guests who are attending wedding festivities outside the temple — such as photographs, a luncheon or reception — don't need to wear temple clothing. A modest wedding-guest dress, skirt and blouse, or polished dressy outfit is generally appropriate. Consider the couple's requested dress code, venue, season and wedding colors when choosing your outfit.
Do bridesmaids need to wear white to an LDS temple wedding?
No separate Church guideline requires bridesmaids to wear white. Bridesmaids who attend the sealing should follow the same clothing guidance given to other guests.
Your sealing day is sacred. Choosing a dress that feels comfortable, beautiful, and appropriate for the temple allows you to focus on what matters most — the covenants you are making and the beginning of your eternal marriage.
Explore LDS Temple Dresses selected for beautiful, comfortable, and reverent temple wear.
0 comments