posted
Hi: I am going to be sealed on the 11th of June. I am planning a little reception afterwards at my home. My question is this: do people usually do this? I wasn't planning on it, but other sisters in my ward told me I could. I am treating this also, as a renewing of my wedding vows. So I am planning a nice, simple "garden" reception. Any ideas???
quote:I am going to be sealed on the 11th of June. I am planning a little reception afterwards at my home. My question is this: do people usually do this? I wasn't planning on it, but other sisters in my ward told me I could.
Why on earth would anyone need to tell you that you could hold a function in your own home? It's a great idea. Go for it. I'm a man, so unfortunately I have no ideas, but I bet that in due time there will be no shortage of suggestions from the ladies here.
Congratulations, by the way!
Posts: 148 | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
Maximus: Well being new to the church, I thought it just wasn't done (throwing a party) but when the other ladies started to say it's OK. Then I am running with the idea!! I am excited to say the least. I think I'll be having around 40 people over. I am thinking of doing a garden party. With a lighted archway and everything in white; white flowers, white cake, lights, etc.
Thanks for the good wishes. We will be endowed this Saturday Posts: 151 | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Receptions are great ways to share the event with people that aren't able to go to the temple for whatever reason.
I think the caution comes from people who worry that the reception might take away from the sacred event that occurred in the temple. If you're planning a 48-hour $250,000 rock-the-house and get the police called extraveganza, you might be missing the point of a temple sealing - but otherwise, you're probably ok.
quote: I think I'll be having around 40 people over. I am thinking of doing a garden party. With a lighted archway and everything in white; white flowers, white cake, lights, etc.
Ooh! it sounds gorgeous! We will expect a full report afterward.
Posts: 4767 | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
When one of my sisters was sealed to her husband and two kids, all of the extended family and close friends had dinner in the cultural hall of the church. It wasn't a reception with gifts, just a long, fun, family dinner. It was nice to enjoy everyone's company.
Posts: 583 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
The Church's advice on receptions is that receptions are fine, just nothing extravagant. Meaning basically that the focus of the day is the Temple, but having people gather to celebrate is a wonderful thing too.
In other words, you about 60 miles within any line anyone could draw based on Church standards.
posted
The one time I can recall that anything was done after a sealing, we went to out to dinner with the family and their extended family (they were our very close friends). It was nice, but not all that memorable.
I think a more formal reception is very appropriate. I've been to so many sealings where we all met at the temple, witnessed the sealing, then just drove home. It seemed rather incomplete in my mind. While of course the important thing is that the ordinance is done, it is such a joyous occasion that folks will want to celebrate with you.
When I was sealed, I was married at the same time. Going through the temple was a major event for me because my life completely changed that day. Folks who are married civilly then sealed later don't have that experience. After the sealing, they're still living with the same people, in the same home, working the same job etc. I think commemorating the event with a reception is a fabulous idea.
Posts: 400 | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Hi, Puggo--Another thing we're advised is not to do anything at a reception that would either resemble the sealing or constitute "taking vows." I guess Church leaders feel the need to say that because some folks, in an attempt to be inclusive of non-temple attending guests, create a ceremony that is too much like a wedding, includes or suggests elements from the sealing, or otherwise detracts from the sacredness of the sealing.
The sealing itself is the main event, & whatever you do at your reception is to let your family & friends share your happiness.
Best wishes to you & your sweetheart!
Posts: 12868 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Rock on! what better thing in the whole world could there be to celebrate! I am so happy for you. There is no better feeling than knowing you'll get to be with the ones you love forever. I can't say congatulations enough.
Posts: 312 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
The day my parents were sealed, we gathered at their home for a small afternoon celebration. We had a lovely cake and presented them with a framed picture of the temple. We have it on videotape, and now that my parents have passed away it is a priceless treasure.
By way of contrast, a few months later when my brother was sealed to my parents, he rushed off immediately afterward to catch a business meeting. True, the sealing was the important part, but the abrupt ending was a little of a letdown.
CONGRATULATIONS! Hope your day is lovely from beginning to end.
posted
I really, really get irritated at the Joseph Smith Building receptions with the Bridesmaids, Best Man and such. These things to me degrade the Temple Marriage. We had a Hawaii party with lots of food and a great time with no pretending to have a wedding at the local ward house. Why does many LDS feel the need to have pretend weddings after the Sealings?
Posts: 63 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Thanks so much for all the well wishes!! I know the actual sealing will be the best part of all. I am actually planning the following: My friends and family that are not members will go to the temple if they like and wait in the visitors section. Afterwards, photographs will be taken of us in our regular clothes with my family in front of the Temple. Then we will have a garden reception with finger foods, fruits, and veggies and some yummy cool punch. I will decorate the outdoors in a classy, simple yet tasteful way (all in white). NO vows, etc. will be exchanged. Just good old fashioned eatin'.
It will last approx. 3 hours. Guests can come to the reception if they want only. I plan on about 40 people (this includes a lot of kids! of course . Anywho, I am excited about being endowed this Saturday, my mom is finishing up my temple dress and then the sealing for the 11th. I've got a lot of planning to do Too bad my mom refuses to attend. She is a Jehova's witness, and I think they have advised her not to go Too bad, but I understand. My brother and sister and their families are coming though. And that's all that matters. Them and of course my good friends from my ward Also my guide this saturday is my good friend whom I met at work and thru her I am in the church. Thanks again. Have a great night. Posts: 151 | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
I'm being sealed around that date as well. We have lots of family flying in from near and far to join us in the temple so we are having a party to thank them all for coming and to allow everyone time to relax and mingle with each other since this will be the first time we've all been together for a number of years. We're calling it an informal open house and since I'm Hawaiian that basically means luau. Nothing fancy, just simple Hawaiian food (and some American food for the haoles) and visiting with family and friends.
My former bishop said that he's seen people throw huge receptions with gifts and even going on second honeymoons. He does not think it is appropriate but he said it's not uncommon.
Congratulations on your sealing.
Posts: 62 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
the bigger the party the better... Go for it. It is a reason to celebrate and share your joy with friends and family. And I am of the arrogant opinion that parties/ receptions DO NOT take away from the sacredness of the sealing. ( now I am speaking generally here... ) Sometimes I think Mormons are afraid to Party !
Have a great day ! oh and I forgot... I actually have only been to one of these. Our Bishops daughter had one after she had been married a year they went to the Temple and they had a partay , invitationsm refreshments and a band. It was nice. ( but no gifts )
posted
Puggo & Tehoa, your parties sound great. I may crash them for the food!
That is too bad about your mom, Puggo, but my understanding is that Jehovah's Witnesses don't really celebrate much of anything--holidays, birthdays, etc. But if one of them had a party, I hope they'd invite us.
Brucie, I don't think anyone was saying parties are a bad thing. It's merely that if a party does happen to include anything that makes light of sacred things, it's probably best to omit that part. The Lord wants us to enjoy life.
posted
After my wife and I were sealed, we had a big garden reception at her parents home, tons of people were there. About a week later we had one at my parent's ward building.
There is nothing wrong at all, go for it. In fact I bet you could persuade some of the RS sisters to help. Enjoy yourself and have a great time.
Posts: 1126 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I'll admit it, my wife and I had a big blow out reception, AND ring ceremony. Alot of the people that left that place thought they left a wedding.
I whole heartedly agree with the concept that a ring ceremony detracts from the importance of the sealing. In practice though, I can't see how including your freinds in your wedding is a bad thing.
All of our really close freinds are non-members(should that be hyphenated?). When we got married there were no less than nine girls who thought they "deserved" a position as brides maids. (I'ld like to point out that all my friends would have understood)I tell you the stress of dealing with all those people that thought they should be involved would have been more than enough to take the spirit away from the sealing.
We did our best to explain to everyone that we were actually married the day before, and what a Temple marriage was. We even printed up a little "thingy" for the programs. (Yes we had programs)
Overall I'ld say it added to spirit.
Posts: 312 | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote: I whole heartedly agree with the concept that a ring ceremony detracts from the importance of the sealing. In practice though, I can't see how including your freinds in your wedding is a bad thing.
I disagree with it "detracting". It was very important for us to have something that my family could be at. It in no way detracted from the sealing, and it was made clear to everyone that we were already married, and this was an exchange of symbols to symbolize our eternal committment. I think it enhanced the experience and gave us a chance to explain what a sealing is a little better to all my non-member friends and family, rather than taking anything away. In fact, if I hadn't included my friends and family in this way, that is what would have detracted from the sealing!
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. Anywho, I am excited about being endowed this Saturday, my mom is finishing up my temple dress and then the sealing for the 11th. I've got a lot of planning to do ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Too bad, but I understand. My brother and sister and their families are coming though. And that's all that matters. Them and of course my good friends from my ward ![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)
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the bigger the party the better... Go for it. It is a reason to celebrate and share your joy with friends and family. And I am of the arrogant opinion that parties/ receptions DO NOT take away from the sacredness of the sealing. ( now I am speaking generally here... ) Sometimes I think Mormons are afraid to Party ! 
