LDS Wedding Luncheon Planning Tips for Families

The sealing is over. You walk out of the temple as husband and wife, blinking in the sunlight, your families crowding around with happy tears. And then someone asks the question every couple forgets to plan for: “So… where are we eating?”

That’s the wedding luncheon. It’s one of the sweetest parts of an LDS wedding day. It’s also one of the easiest to leave until the last minute.

I’ve helped a lot of brides through this part, and I promise it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It just needs a little thought ahead of time. Let me walk you through it the way I would if you were sitting at my kitchen table.

What Is an LDS Wedding Luncheon?

The luncheon is the meal that comes right after the temple sealing. Sometimes people still call it the “wedding breakfast,” even when it’s served at noon. It’s an old tradition, and the name stuck.

It’s usually a smaller, quieter gathering than the reception. The people who were inside the sealing room — your closest family and friends with current temple recommends — come together to eat, relax, and celebrate before the bigger evening event.

Think of it as the warm, family heart of the day. The reception is for everyone. The luncheon is for your inner circle.

Who to Invite to the Luncheon

Keep it close. The luncheon is traditionally for the guests who attended your sealing, plus a few people who matter deeply to you.

That usually means parents, grandparents, siblings, and maybe a few aunts, uncles, or dear friends. Most luncheons land somewhere between 20 and 50 people.

You don’t have to invite everyone. In fact, you shouldn’t. The whole point is that this part stays intimate. Save the wider guest list for the reception.

One thing that saves a lot of hurt feelings: talk through the luncheon list with both sets of parents early. Everyone has someone they’ll want included, and it’s a kinder conversation in March than the week before the wedding.

When to Hold It

Timing is the part brides underestimate most.

Here’s the usual rhythm. Your sealing might be at 10:00 in the morning. Your reception might not start until 6:00 that evening. That leaves a long gap — often four or five hours — right in the middle of your wedding day.

The luncheon fills part of that gap beautifully. Plan it for about an hour or two after your sealing, once your photos on the temple grounds are finished. So a morning sealing usually means a luncheon around noon or one o’clock.

After that, you’ll still have time to rest, touch up your hair and makeup, and catch your breath before the reception. And trust me — you’ll want that breather.

Where to Host the Luncheon

You have more options here than you might think. Here are the most common ones, with a little honesty about each.

A Restaurant Private Room

Easy and low-stress. The food, tables, and cleanup are all handled for you. Call ahead, though — private rooms near popular temples fill up fast on Saturdays.

A Reception or Event Center

More space and more control over the look. This works well if you want the luncheon to feel a little more polished, though it usually costs more than the other options.

A Church Cultural Hall

The budget-friendly favorite. But know this going in: most church buildings are bare. You’ll be bringing in or renting your own tables, linens, and centerpieces, and arranging the food yourself. It’s affordable, but it’s more hands-on. Line up help before you commit.

A Family Home or Backyard

Warm, personal, and often free. A backyard luncheon on a pretty day is hard to beat. Just have a simple rain plan tucked away, because Utah weather has a sense of humor.

What to Serve

Keep it simple and comforting. This isn’t the meal to experiment with something brand new.

Buffets are popular because they’re easy and flexible. Think one or two main dishes, a couple of salads, rolls, and a simple dessert. Honey-baked ham, funeral potatoes, a green salad, and warm rolls is practically a Utah wedding classic, and there’s a reason people keep coming back to it.

No alcohol, of course. Sparkling cider or lemonade in pretty glasses does the job for toasts.

And if your budget is tight, don’t worry. A hearty soup-and-salad spread or a brunch of eggs, fruit, and pastries can cost far less than a full catered dinner. It photographs just as sweetly, too.

Add a Few Personal Touches

The luncheon is a lovely place for the moments that feel too personal for a big crowd.

Many families include a short program. A blessing on the food. A few words from each set of parents. Maybe a toast from a sibling or a favorite song. Some couples even hold a ring ceremony here, especially when reception guests won’t get to see the rings exchanged.

You don’t need much. A slideshow of the two of you growing up. A small table of childhood photos. Little things like that are what make the day feel like yours.

If you’d like a head start on the words — for your program, your announcements, or your sealing inserts — grab our free LDS Wedding Invitation Wording Guide. It has more than 50 examples for every piece of your suite, so you’re never staring at a blank page.

Keeping the Luncheon on Budget

The luncheon is one of the easier places to save without anyone feeling shorted.

Because the group is small, every dollar stretches further. A simpler venue, a buffet instead of plated meals, and a daytime menu all bring the cost down quickly.

Here’s where it helps to see all your wedding costs in one place, so the luncheon doesn’t quietly balloon while your attention is on the reception. I built the LDS Wedding Planner Spreadsheet with separate budget lines for the temple day, the luncheon, and the reception, plus a “who’s paying” column. That last part matters, because the luncheon is often hosted by the groom’s family — and it’s so much easier when that’s written down clearly instead of assumed.

LDS Wedding Luncheon Planning Tips for Families

Here’s the truth I tell every bride: you are not meant to plan this alone.

The luncheon is the perfect thing to hand off. A mother, a future mother-in-law, an aunt who loves to host — give one of them this piece and let her shine. Most are honored to be asked.

Just use a shared planner so everyone can see the timeline, the headcount, and who’s bringing what. The 29-tab planner keeps the bride, groom, and both moms on the same page, which heads off a lot of last-minute confusion.

And while you’re thinking about the paper side of the day — menu cards, a printed program, little place cards — those small details tie everything together. If you’d like help with any of that, you can start a custom order here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an LDS wedding luncheon?

It’s the meal held right after the temple sealing, sometimes called a wedding breakfast. It’s a smaller gathering for the close family and friends who attended the sealing, held before the larger evening reception.

Who pays for the LDS wedding luncheon?

Traditionally, the groom’s family often hosts the luncheon while the bride’s family hosts the reception. But this varies from family to family, so it’s best to talk it through together early and write down who is covering what.

Who do you invite to a wedding luncheon?

Usually the guests who attended your sealing — parents, grandparents, siblings, and a few close relatives or friends. Most luncheons have between 20 and 50 people. The wider guest list is saved for the reception.

What time is an LDS wedding luncheon?

It’s typically held about one to two hours after the sealing, often around noon or early afternoon for a morning sealing. This fills the gap between the sealing and an evening reception, and it leaves time to rest before the reception begins.

What food is served at an LDS wedding luncheon?

Simple, comforting food works best — often a buffet with a main dish, salads, rolls, and dessert. There’s no alcohol; sparkling cider or lemonade is common for toasts. Soup-and-salad or brunch menus are budget-friendly options.

How much does an LDS wedding luncheon cost?

It depends on your venue, menu, and guest count. Because the group is small, the luncheon is usually one of the more affordable parts of the wedding day, especially with a simple venue and a daytime buffet.