Everything you need to know about how to plan a Latter-day Saint Baptism. From timelines and traditions to thoughtful details and helpful tips, this comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the planning process—so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating this sacred milestone in a special and joyful way. Free printables included!
Post contains helpful affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Our second oldest turned eight years old and made the wonderful decision to be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a memorable day for our family—and just like his older brother, he was baptized on his birthday, which made it even more special!
When I planned our first baptism, I’ll admit—I was a little lost. I have attended a handful over the years, but I had never been in charge of one before. There definitely is a difference!
So, to help make things a little easier for anyone else in the same boat I was in, I put together a post sharing some helpful basics and thoughtful tips for planning a baptism service that you can check out here.
How do you plan a baptism?
After preparing for my second son’s baptism, I realized just how many little details go into planning a Latter-day Saint baptism. Some that I hadn’t even considered the first time around! So, I thought it would be helpful to put together a more in-depth guide to walk you through the entire process from start to finish. I’ll cover everything, including things that you may have never really thought about but are important to know. I’ll also be sharing all the printables I used to help bring it all together.
By the time you finish reading this post, my hope is that you’ll feel more confident and prepared to plan a baptism. You’ve got this—and I’m here to help every step of the way!
So without further ado, let’s begin!
HOW TO PLAN A LATTER-DAY SAINT BAPTISM
This post ended up being longer than I expected, but it’s not because planning a Latter-day Saint baptism is overwhelming. I just wanted to cover all the important details to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. Baptism is a special occasion, and I hope this post serves as a helpful resource to make sure everything goes smoothly, leaving you with a meaningful and stress-free experience.
Below is an outline of what will be covered. Feel free to skip ahead to any section that interests you:
- Prepare Them for the Experience of Baptism
- Taking Care of Latter-day Saint Baptism Preliminaries
- Baptism Photos and Invitations (optional)
- Planning the Latter-day Saint Baptism Program
- Entry Table Ideas (optional)
- Decoration Theme (optional)
- Refreshments (optional)
- Latter-day Saint Baptism Day
- FREE Latter-day Saint Baptism Printables
1. Prepare Them for the Experience of Baptism
First things first, it’s important to help the person being baptized—whether a child or an adult—feel fully prepared for the baptism itself. Hopefully, they’re spiritually ready (otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be reading this post!). But have they been properly oriented on what will actually take place during the baptism? For example, do they know what to expect during the service, beyond just the act of being baptized? Do they understand the steps involved, like how to position their hands when being baptized? It’s essential to go over these details beforehand to ensure they’re comfortable and confident on the special day.
Don’t assume this is common knowledge—it’s important not to take these details for granted!
I’m so glad I took the time to discuss the events of the baptism with my son beforehand. It turns out he was actually a bit terrified of the experience. He actually thought he was going to be dunked and held under the water for a long time. Yikes! That would scare anyone! Thankfully, after providing some clarification and even doing a little role-playing of what would actually happen, his fears were completely put at ease.
So, be sure to go over all the details with them and answer any questions they might have. It’s also a great idea to role-play the baptism itself so they can feel comfortable and confident during their baptism.
Do they know they’ll need a change of underwear? Since they’ll be baptized in their underwear, they’ll need an extra pair to put on when they get dressed in their dry Sunday clothes afterward. I can’t tell you how many older converts to the church didn’t know about this because members just assumed they would!
Have they been told about the Bishop’s interview? For someone who has never met with the Bishop before, this can feel pretty intimidating! Be sure to let them know ahead of time what questions they’ll be asked, and take the time to go over each one with them.
Anything you can do to help them prepare for baptism day will ease their fears and make more space for them to feel the Spirit. In my opinion, this first step is the most important of all.
2. Take Care of Baptism Preliminaries
Schedule the Building
Start by checking with your Primary leadership to find out available dates and times for scheduling the baptism. Once you’ve chosen a date, confirm it with both the Primary leadership and a member of the bishopric. You’ll also want to confirm it’s officially on the church building’s calendar!
You’ll also want to check if other children will be baptized at the same time. Ask the Primary presidency about the ward’s protocol for combined baptisms. Some wards prefer to combine services due to multiple baptisms, while others may have fewer baptisms and are fine with solo services.
If it’s a combined baptism, make sure to reach out to the other participants, as well as the Primary presidency, to ensure everyone is on the same page. Together, you can work out the specifics of the program. While this post focuses more on planning a solo baptism service, it still includes helpful steps for those planning a combined service.
Primary’s Help for Latter-day Saint Baptism
Be sure to reach out to your Primary presidency for assistance if you need it. In both wards I’ve been part of while planning a baptism, they’ve always been more than happy to help with the program and even provide a plate of refreshments.
Baptism Outfits
You have the option to bring your own white clothing for the baptism, or you can choose to borrow some from your ward. If you’d like to borrow white jumpsuits, be sure to check with the Primary presidency about their availability for both the person being baptized and the individual performing the baptism. Keep in mind that they may not have any available. So in that case, you’ll need to plan on providing your own white attire. I recommend picking up the clothing a week or two before the baptism to ensure proper sizing and give yourself time to wash it if needed.
Bishop’s Approval
Before sending the programs to the printer, make sure you run the program past the bishop for approval.
The priesthood holder(s) performing the baptism and confirmation will also need to receive approval from the bishop. Once your child has chosen who they would like to perform these sacred ordinances, simply submit the names to the bishop for approval. If any priesthood leaders from outside your ward will be participating in the confirmation circle or baptism, they need to bring a current temple recommend.
Baptism Interview with the Bishop
The ward clerk will reach out to schedule a baptism interview with the Bishop for your soon-to-be 8-year-old child, or for yourself if you are the one being baptized. Be sure to go over the baptism interview questions ahead of time to help ease any nervousness and ensure your child feels comfortable.
Now that the preliminary tasks are out of the way, let’s move on to the more creative side of the planning!
3. Baptism Photos and Invitations (optional)
Taking pre-baptism photos and sending invites isn’t essential, but it’s a lovely touch. With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever!
A great time to snap a few pictures is when they’re already dressed in their Sunday best, either before or after church. If you live near a temple, another idea is to take a few photos in front of it. Just be sure to call ahead and confirm that the temple grounds are open! Trust me, I learned this the hard way. 😉
I framed a few of the pictures to display at his baptism, and I also used one of the images for his baptism invitations. You can create your own invites or purchase a pre-designed baptismal template. I had grand plans to design something new, but due to time constraints, I ended up using one of my previously created baptism announcements. If you like the design, be sure to click on the link above!
Once the invitations are ready and you’ve decided whether or not you’ll have a few photos framed, email everything to your local print shop for printing.
We printed several invitations that my son personally handed out at church and to neighbors. To save on postage, we photographed the invite and sent it via text to out-of-town family and friends. Gotta love technology!
5. Planning the Baptism Program
Who will be playing the piano? Who will perform the baptism? What will the closing song be? Who is giving a talk? These are just a few of the important details that make up the program.
Here is a list of all the baptism assignments that will need filling:
- Who will be conducting (typically a member of the bishopric)
- Chorister
- Pianist
- Opening Song
- Opening Prayer
- Talk on Baptism
- Who is performing the Baptism
- Who will be the two witnesses
- Talk on the Holy Ghost
- Who is performing the Confirmation
- Closing Song
- Closing Prayer
And don’t forget to have a simple activity or quiet music prepared for everyone to help pass the time while those who were baptized are changing into dry clothes. Sometimes, without something to focus on, the crowd can get a bit too chatty, which may distract from the Spirit. A little structure helps maintain a reverent atmosphere.
Now, I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by this list (I certainly did the first time!). So I’ve put together a helpful Baptism Program Checklist printable to make program planning a breeze.
Involve the Child in the Planning
This form was designed to be filled out by the person being baptized. This is an easy way to get them involved in the planning process, which will make the experience much more memorable. Plus, it ensures the baptism is personalized to their preferences, rather than just what you think they might want.
Using the printable, I asked my son to list everyone he wanted to participate in his baptism. Then with this master list of names, he began filling in who he wanted for each role on the opposite side. He either called them to ask if they could participate, or when handing out his invitations, he asked in person, or I sent a quick text to inquire. Once they confirmed, we wrote their name next to the corresponding assignment and crossed it off on the left side. The one role I don’t have on the list is the person conducting. You’ll need to ask a member of the bishopric who will be leading the service.
Who Will Create the Baptism Program?
Once all the details have been decided, you can begin typing up the program. In my experience, the primary presidency may offer to create and print the programs for you, as they did in the two wards we’ve been in. However, you might prefer to take care of it yourself—this is what I chose to do since I already had a program template I created for my eldest son’s baptism.
After you’ve written the program, be sure to send a copy to your Bishop for approval. Once you’ve received his approval, it’s time to print! If the primary presidency is handling the printing, send it to them; otherwise, print the programs yourself.
You’ll bring the programs to the baptism so someone can hand them out to guests as they arrive, or simply place them on the entry table for guests to pick up on their own.
Typical Format of a Latter-day Saint Baptism Service
While there may be slight variations, most baptism services follow a similar outline:
Timing:
The entire service typically lasts about 30 minutes, though it can go up to an hour.
Conducting:
A member of the bishopric (or someone they designate) will conduct the meeting.
Opening Hymn & Prayer:
The service begins with an opening hymn, followed by an invocation.
Talks:
Usually one or two short talks are given—typically about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(In our case, we chose to have the talk on faith after the confirmation.)
The Baptism Ordinance:
The person being baptized, the priesthood holder performing the ordinance, and two witnesses proceed to the font. The individual is baptized by immersion. Afterwards, both the person baptized and the baptizer change into dry clothing.
While Waiting (Optional Ideas):
The pianist played primary songs on the piano softly while guests wrote their testimonies on notecards for our son. Other ideas could be to play a meaningful Church video or just have favorite baptism-themed music playing.
Confirmation:
The baptized person is seated while priesthood holders lay hands on their head. They are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Closing Remarks:
A member of the bishopric may share a few final thoughts. A primary presidency member might also say a few words, though I haven’t seen that happen as often in recent years—it could just be how things are done in my current ward.
Closing Hymn & Prayer:
The service ends with a closing hymn and a benediction.
6. Baptism Entry Table Ideas (optional)
To welcome guests to the room where the baptism service will take place, it’s a nice touch to set up a small table just outside the door or in the entryway. You might include a guest book for people to sign or a copy of the Book of Mormon for guests to highlight their favorite verse.
This is also a great spot to showcase framed photos of the child being baptized and place the baptism programs for guests to pick up as they enter. It’s a lovely way to create a warm welcome, and if you’ve chosen a theme, this area is a great place to incorporate a few coordinating elements—more on that coming up next!
Recreate the look:
For our baptism entry table, we set up a few simple but meaningful items to help set the tone for the day. We included a guest book for family and friends to sign, copies of the baptism program, a replica of the original 1830 Book of Mormon, and a framed photo of my son. One of my favorite touches was a large I Am a Child of God print, that was displayed in a frame. It added a sweet and spiritual reminder of the purpose of the day.
You can grab the I am a Child of God print for free in this post here.
4. Baptism Decoration Theme (optional)
Do I Have to Decorate for a Baptism? Absolutely not! If decorating isn’t your thing or it feels overwhelming, rest assured—you don’t have to do anything beyond what feels right for you. The church building is already filled with beautiful, Christ-centered artwork that creates a reverent and sacred environment. Decorations are completely optional.
But if you do enjoy decorating or want to make the day feel a bit more personalized, go right ahead! It can be a fun and meaningful way to celebrate this special day for your child.
How Do You Decorate for a Baptism? The easiest way to approach decorating is to first choose a theme. Having a theme gives you a roadmap that makes all the other decisions—like invitations, entry table decor, and even refreshment setup—much easier and more cohesive. You can tie your theme into the entry table, add subtle touches near the podium, and reflect it in your food table setup (if you choose to serve refreshments).
There are so many wonderful themes you can choose from when planning a baptism, and the best part is—there’s no right or wrong choice as long as it ties to the Savior. Below are some popular decoration ideas that beautifully complement a Latter-day Saint baptism.
Recreate the look:
Popular Latter-day Saint Baptism Decoration Themes
There are a few classic decor staples that beautifully complement any Latter-day Saint baptism. Pictures of temples, artwork of Jesus Christ, and the familiar CTR (Choose the Right) symbol are meaningful additions that help center the event around faith and purpose. If you choose to incorporate a theme, these elements can easily be woven in to reflect the chosen theme in a personal and creative way.
Here are some tried-and-true theme ideas that work beautifully for a Latter-day Saint baptism:
“It’s Great to be Eight”
This cheerful theme celebrates the milestone of turning eight—the age when children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can choose to be baptized. Playful and easy to customize, this theme is all about emphasizing the joy of this special age. You can incorporate the number eight into the decorations, invitations, and especially the treats! A crowd favorite is pairing two mini donuts to look like the number 8—cute, simple, and delicious.
“I like to look for Rainbows”
Inspired by the beloved Primary song, this theme is both visually fun and spiritually symbolic. Rainbows represent God’s promises and new beginnings, making it a fitting baptism theme. You can go with bright, cheerful rainbow colors or opt for softer pastels for a more subdued look. Add a framed lyric from the song to tie it all together.
Pure & Simple White
An all-white theme is such a lovely way to celebrate purity and the fresh beginnings. Think white linens, soft white flowers, and simple decor to keep the vibe peaceful and meaningful. A few gold touches or some soft greenery can add just the right amount of contrast.
CTR (Choose the Right) Baptism Theme
For a more playful and familiar theme, the CTR motif is a perfect fit. Use a green and white color scheme, CTR shields, and messages that encourage choosing the right. Decor ideas include CTR cookies (a must for my boys!), custom printables, and banners with uplifting messages. It’s a great way to help children connect their baptism to a lifelong commitment of making good choices.
Living Water Baptism Theme
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” —John 4:13–14
The “Living Water” theme is a beautiful way to highlight how Jesus Christ is our source of spiritual strength and eternal life. Try using soft blue tones in your décor to represent water and purity.
Light Florals
Florals are always a sweet touch for any celebration, and they work especially well for a Latter-day Saint baptism. Soft pastel flowers look so pretty on baptism invitations, especially for little girls, and help set a peaceful, joyful tone. Fresh flowers are perfect for displaying on the entry table and/or by the podium, and you can even tie them into the artwork—like temple drawings or designs with the CTR (Choose the Right) symbol.
“I Am a Child of God” Nature Theme
This theme is all about combining the purity of baptism with the beauty of God’s creations. Start with a clean white color scheme to reflect the sacredness and symbolism of the ordinance. Then, add in touches of nature—like soft greenery, simple leaves, or delicate vines—to give the space a fresh, peaceful feel. The natural elements bring in a quiet sense of calmness and connection, making it a sweet and meaningful way to celebrate this special step in a child’s spiritual journey.
So those are just a few ideas to play around with—I ended up mixing elements from all of them! Starting with the white and adding elements of greenery to freshen it up. To match the I am a Child of God printable that was on the entry table, I created these pure and clean water labels and the Choose the Right printable as seen above. You can grab both of these printables for free—just scroll down to download them!
7. Baptism Refreshments (optional)
Serving food or treats after a baptism is definitely not required. Some families choose to go all out, planning a big celebration with enough food to feed the entire ward. If that’s what you want, that’s absolutely wonderful! But in some areas, this has unintentionally set a precedent, making others feel like they have to do the same. Even to the point of dreading the special day because they are too stressed out about feeding everyone! Let me be clear—serving food is completely optional. If the thought of it stresses you out even a little, feel free to skip it!
In fact, due to this growing expectation, I’ve heard that some ward buildings now have policies against hosting meals after baptisms. So if serving food is your thing, make sure you check beforehand!
Personally, I enjoy offering a few light refreshments after the service. As a kid, I always enjoyed the activity more if I knew there were treats to follow. That’s definitely the kid in me talking!
Recreate the look:
The Yogurt Parfait Bar We Served Following the Baptism
My son’s baptism was scheduled for late morning, so we decided on a yogurt parfait bar. It was the perfect option—easy to set up, refreshing, and a big hit with both kids and adults. We offered a variety of toppings like granola, fresh berries, mini chocolate chips, and honey so guests could build their own parfaits. It made for a fun and low-stress way to serve food without going overboard. I cover all the details in this post here, so be sure to check it out for ideas and inspiration!
Recreate the look:
You can grab all the yogurt parfait labels I designed for free, by clicking on the link.
And, by special request from my eight-year-old, I made another batch of the CTR cookies I had baked for our previous baptism. These cookies not only look fantastic but actually taste amazing too! Soft, flavorful, and beautifully decorated, they added the perfect personal (and tasty!) touch to the celebration.
Recreate the look:
8. Latter-day Saint Baptism Day
The much-anticipated day of baptism is finally here!
Before Leaving the House
Don’t forget to pack a few essentials: hair accessories, a towel, a plastic bag for wet clothes, and a change of underwear. Also, make sure the person being baptized is wearing white underwear underneath their baptismal clothing. These small details help the day go smoothly and comfortably.
If you’re planning any kind of setup—whether it’s an entry table, a simple display of flowers, or a refreshment area—be sure to gather all the items you’ll need ahead of time. And don’t forget the programs if you had them printed! It’s helpful to place everything in a box or two and keep them by the door the night before. This little bit of preparation can go a long way in reducing stress and keeping things organized if the day gets busy (which it often does!).
Filling the Baptismal Font
If the baptism is taking place in a ward building, someone will typically need to arrive early to fill the baptismal font. The exact timing and who is responsible can vary depending on your ward and building. For one of our baptisms, a member of the Primary presidency took care of it, while for another, a member of the bishopric handled it. The key is to ensure that someone is there to fill the font ahead of time!
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, dressed in your Sunday best. This extra time allows for changing into baptismal clothing, gives you plenty of time to take photos before the meeting begins (remember, no photos or videos should be taken during the actual baptismal service), and ensures you’re ready to greet guests as they arrive.
If you’re planning to serve refreshments afterward, this is also a good time to get everything set up. Don’t hesitate to ask for help with setting up or serving—many hands make light work, and it will help you enjoy the day more fully.
Let Go
With all the preparations taken care of, now it’s time to simply let go and be present for this special event. Enjoy the beautiful experience of your son, daughter, or loved one making their first covenant with the Lord through baptism. Be present in this moment and enjoy every bit of it.
And afterwards, don’t forget to snap a few photos with friends and family. You’ll be glad you captured these special memories.
Hope you found some direction and peace from this guide on planning a Latter-day Saint baptism. You’ve got this! I’m rooting for you! However it comes together, as long as the spirit is present, it will be absolutely perfect!
Don’t forget to grab the free printables before you leave!
Free Latter-day Saint Baptism Printables
You can grab both the Choose the Right printable and the pure and clean water bottle labels below. Hopefully they help make your life a little easier for your upcoming baptism preparations.
Click the link below to download the labels. Once the download is complete, head to your downloads folder to find the file—it’ll be in a zipped format. Just double-click the file to unzip and open it. For the best results, I recommend printing them on white premium cardstock.
< Choose the Right Printable Click Here >
The Choose the Right printable prints as a 5×7 inch print.
< Pure and Clean Water labels Click Here >
The labels fit standard mini water bottles.
All designs are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. You may not forward, share, sell or re-distribute the file. Ownership and copyright over all designs & graphics contained in the files are property of AspenJay.
Did you find this post helpful? Then save THIS PIN below to your Church/Religious related board!
Leave a Reply