Temple Ceremony AND Ring Ceremony???

So, living in Utah, a majority of the couples here are Mormon and get married in the LDS Temple. BUT, what happens if you want to get married in the Temple, but one or both of your parents cannot attend because they are not Temple wo rthy? Well, this is where the "Ring Ceremony" comes in. **My Disclaimer: I am not LDS, so please don't take all of this information to be the true and final fact. Check with your local bishop before you believe anything I say!

A Ring Ceremony is a civil ceremony in which the bride and groom will exchange vows and rings in front of friends and family that were not able to attend the Temple Ceremony. Now, I have seen many of these and they can vary greatly. How the actual Ring Ceremony plays out will depend on the officiate performing the ceremony (Bishop, friend, etc). A lot depends on how the bishop interprets the rules set by the Mormon church. Some Bishops allow bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk down the aisle, some do not. I have seen ring ceremonies where the father walks the Bride down the aisle, and those where the Bride & Groom walk down the aisle together. Also, sometimes wedding music is permitted, other times it is not. Once again, a lot will depend on the officiate you choose.

A few things to remember if you do have a Ring Ceremony:

• You will need separate enclosure cards to invite people to your Temple & Ring Ceremony. Usually everyone that attends your Temple Ceremony will also attend your Ring Ceremony.
  
• Most reception centers have an extra fee for ceremonies, as chairs will need to be set out and music will need to be organized. Do not assume that you can just show up and have a ceremony at your venue.
• Communicate clearly with your Bishop as to his interpretations of right and wrong regarding a Ring Ceremony. You may want your bridesmaids to walk down the aisle, but he may not allow it.

The Ring Ceremony is a good option if you really want to be married in the Temple, but have family members that cannot attend. So, what are you thinking about doing for your wedding? Temple and Ring Ceremony? Or just Temple Ceremony and Reception?