Weddingbee boards

I think, personally, that you should have your ring blessing and exchange someplace else.  You're already married by the church and is this just an exercise in doing somehting to make your family feel included or do you feel at a loss for this tradition yourself?  So, why do you need to invite the entire church and have them coming and going?

Who is doing the ring ceremony?  A professional pastor [is it your parents or some random person?], LDS bishop, a friend?  Will you have this person ask your dad to give you away?  I'm a little confused about the purpose of this second service except to make your parents feel OK and to have something inclusive of everyone.  Will it be meaningful to you?  Will it be meaningful to him?

Will your folks be seated outside waiting for you or will they be sitting around waiting somewhere else?  I don't see why, after the sealing, if they'll be sitting outside, that after you emerge why you can't, right then and there, do the ring ceremony followed by a prayer and tossing of flower petals?  Take your photos and be done. 

Then just people you want to invite go to the reception.  That will be your parent's reception.  They can invite their friends and family.  His side gets a specific # of invitees.  Your folks hire a band, you have a signature drink [no alcholol], you have your toast, your first dance, toss the bouquet, cut the cake.  Why not do this?  Why does everything have to take place at the church and be an open house?

Hi Zelda and All.  I love Zelda's idea.  I hope you are going to wear your wedding gown both days!  I hope  your invitations will read:  Temple Sealing at x:00, date, place; Ring Blessing and Exchange, X:00 date/time/place so your guests will know you take both ceremonies seriously.  If you don't take ceremony #2 seriously, don't do it as it makes a mockery of other people's faith and traditions which you don't want to do at this sensitive time.  Weddings make people a little nuts and you will find once it is over things will settle down.  But for the time being, you don't want to cut yourself off or burn your bridges.

I would dispense of explaining 'why' you got married in the temple, because everyone there will know either directly or indirectly.  Instead, scripture would be appropriate and some words about the meaning of marriage and the promises you make to one another.  You could speak about the meaning of your rings, because that is what you are doing on that day.  The sealing was yesterday.  Why bring it up to those who weren't able to attend.

What about reversing the days?  Maybe do the Ring Blessing and Exchange before the temple sealing so that your dad or your folks or whomever it is in your life can walk you down the aisle; have a receiving line; serve cup cakes [therefore, no cake cutting] and sandwiches and lemonaide and have no dancing.  I would ask someone to organize a few games such as the Newly Wed Game and have other guests be contestants.   You should not participate bercause it will be more fun to watch other couples answer the questions.  Then for the people who are not married maybe you can play some kind of a dating game where couples have to answer questions about each other.  Give small prizes.  Everyone go home.  Wear a simple fun white dress that you can wear on your honeymoon; maybe praire style with a cute bonnet or something tasteful and modern; but not THE DRESS.   Someone you know must know how to sing or play a flute or guitar.  The Relief Society in our area is always making bonnets and if your stake doesn't have a pattern maybe someone in the ward does.  But do wear flowers in your hair and he should wear one on his lapel, too.  They can be silk flowers on a barrett; or a bonnet.  Nothing extravagent. 

Then the next day have the sealing and non Mormons can attend the reception and wedding cake.  If the non-Mormons aren't family, I wouldn't go through the expense of inviting them; just let them come to the ring blessings.  At the reception, someone should give a blessing on you and he; bless the food and enjoy the evening.   Then have your honemoon.  That way you won't have to do anything the next day except hang out together as husband and wife.  Do you really want to have to get up the first morning after you spend the first night as husband and wife and get up and have to go someplace?  You really won't feel like it.

Let me know how you work through this.