Monday 19 August 2013

A Mormon Wedding

The main reason we were back in NZ was for my brother in law Haroma's wedding. He is the youngest of 9 (my husband is number 8) so it was a bit special seeing as he was the baby.
Our family belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as Mormons. Generally when you get married you get married in a temple, as opposed to a church or beach or garden or any other kind of place. We believe that marriage is not only 'til death do you part but lasts beyond death into the eternities. The only place this type of marriage ceremony can occur is in a temple by a person with the right authority. The ceremony is called a sealing ceremony, because it is the sealing together of two people.
The ceremony itself is sacred and the exact words and promises are not spoken about outside of the temple. It is not that they are secret, it's just that they are sacred. Suffice to say the bride and groom make promises to each other and with God. The bride and groom wear white and always look beautiful. What bride doesn't look beautiful on her wedding day?
The ceremony can only be attended by those worthy members of the LDS church, and the ceremony usually only includes family and close friends. The helps to maintain the reverence and sacredness of the experience. If you are not a member of the LDS church and unable to go into the temple you can walk the temple grounds or visit the visitors centre. The ceremony is usually pretty short.
The rest of a Mormon wedding day usually proceeds in much the same way as any other wedding. The bride and groom emerge from the temple doors hand in hand, the bride in her beautiful wedding dress. Family and friends are waiting congratulate them. The brides dress is modest, no plunging neck lines, and always with sleeves, long or short as long as they cover her shoulders.
The bride and groom will usually have bridesmaids and groomsmen if they so choose. After the ceremony and photos the wedding reception is like any other wedding reception, speeches, songs, toasts etc but you probably wont find any alcohol!

Haroma and Tamara looked awesome on their special day, and I am sure they had an amazing time. We were so blessed to be apart of their day and look forward to seeing them grow together.

Here's a few photos of the day...





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