Weddings are joyful whirlwinds—flowers, dresses, photographs, menus, two families’ worth of traditions, and a calendar that feels too short for everything you want to do. When you add a temple sealing into that mix—and realize some of your dearest loved ones won’t be able to step inside the temple with you—the swirl of feelings can grow intense in a hurry.

President Boyd K. Packer once reminded engaged couples that many parents have pictured this day since before their children were born. If they feel hurt at being left outside the temple doors, it flows from their deep attachment, not from any lack of love or support. Remembering that simple truth can soften hearts on both sides.

Heavenly Father treasures families—both the one that raised you and the eternal one you’ll begin when you’re sealed. As you navigate conversations with non-member parents, siblings, or relatives, He will guide you. Pray often, listen closely, and be open to promptings that might surprise you. Here are gentle principles to keep your wedding day centered on covenants while nurturing the relationships you hold dear.

Start with Love—and Assume the Best

Your family longs to stand beside you on this milestone. Fathers imagine escorting daughters down an aisle; mothers picture the moment a son lifts his bride’s veil. When they discover they can’t witness the sealing, disappointment is natural. See their tears as love, not distrust, and carve out unrushed moments to reassure them. Let them hear, over and over, how grateful you are for everything they’ve given you and how excited you are for them to share the celebration in every way they can.

Begin the Conversation Early

Waiting until invitations go out almost guarantees hurt feelings. Instead, weave temple themes into everyday chats as soon as marriage feels likely. Quick, heartfelt conversations—at the kitchen table, on a walk, during a video call—can introduce words like sealing, eternal marriage, and recommend long before you announce a date. If time is short, brave the awkwardness and speak now. Love grows in light, not in silence.

No family is identical. A handwritten letter may touch one parent; a quiet lunch might help another. Some relatives welcome a visit to a temple visitors’ center or a short Church video. Missionaries can answer questions without the emotional weight that sometimes clings to family discussions. Listen to the Spirit—and to them.

Share the Why

Facts matter, but feelings matter more. Tell them why the temple draws you. Explain, in everyday language, that a sealing joins husband and wife forever, not merely “’til death.” Describe the peace you feel on temple grounds, how worthiness interviews work, and why the Lord sets those boundaries. Bear simple testimony—your own words carry a power no pamphlet can match.

If logistics allow, walk the temple grounds together. Many temples can arrange a meeting with a member of the presidency or even the sealer who will marry you. Standing beneath those spires and feeling the quiet can speak louder than any explanation.

Lean on Your Leaders

Your bishop and stake president want your wedding to bless your whole family. Tell them who is struggling and why. They can listen without family history clouding the air and may offer invitations, priesthood blessings, or gentle counsel that eases anxieties. On sealing day your sealer, bishop, or a trusted friend can stay with relatives outside, answer last-minute questions, and help them feel included.

Keep the Temple Circle Small and Sacred

Sealing rooms are intimate by design; the ordinance is simple and reverent. When non-member relatives realize no one walks an aisle or tosses a bouquet inside, the sense of exclusion often lessens. Still, be sensitive when you choose who enters. If only a handful of endowed loved ones attend, those waiting outside may feel less alone.

Remember the reception and ring ceremony are perfect places to gather everyone you love. Sharing loving words to each other, a first dance, or even a simple slideshow can give parents and siblings moments they’ll remember forever.

Invite Them In—In Every Other Way

Long before wedding day, ask for their talents and opinions. A mother-in-law might help choose centerpieces; a brother could design a playlist; a favorite aunt might bake family-tradition cookies. On the morning of the sealing, phone or text a quick “Love you—heading in now!” Encourage a father to escort you to the temple doors or a mother to help with your hair and dress in the visitors’ center restroom. Small gestures speak volumes.

During the actual ceremony, consider leaving a letter or recorded message expressing your gratitude and testimony for loved ones to read or hear. Pair them with a family friend so no one waits alone. And if tears still come, remember President Packer’s counsel: their sadness springs from love. Meet it with tenderness.

A Day of Covenant and Connection

Your temple sealing will bind you and your sweetheart for eternity. It can also weave stronger threads between you and the people who first taught you what family means. Trust Heavenly Father to show you how. Speak early, love openly, and let peace—the temple’s peace—spill outward to everyone who stands with you on this sacred day and always.