Military Wedding FAQs

November 24, 2009 by Theme Wedding Ideas
Filed under Theme Wedding Ideas

Military wedding cake topper available at the Wedding Boutique.

Military weddings are among the most rich with tradition and custom. Planning a military wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with culminates with the unforgettable wedding itself. There are numerous unique formalities to be observed within a military wedding, which can get a bit confusing. These are military wedding faqs, along with the answers you need to put together the perfect wedding.

Must a military wedding be formal? Though it is not technically required, the fact is that the ceremony involved in a military wedding lends itself to a more formal style of entertaining. When the groom is the service member, his dress uniform is so handsome that the bride will tend to gravitate towards more ornate bridal gowns just to keep pace. Traditional accessories such as pearl bridal jewelry and a long veil will complete the look.

Does a military bride wear her uniform? If the bride is in the armed forces, she has the option of wearing her dress uniform for the wedding. Most brides, however, will opt to wear the traditional white bridal gown and classic pearl jewelry. Whether the bride decides to wear her uniform or civilian bridal attire, she may still properly list her branch of service with her name on the wedding invitation.

How is a military wedding invitation different than a civilian one? The general format of the invitation is similar, however the bride and/or groom will list their branch of service under their name. An enlisted man, for instance, would be styled: Jason Gunther / United States Army (notice that the title “Mr.” is omitted). If he is a senior officer, his rank would precede his name: Colonel Jason Gunther, etc., and if he is a junior or company grade officer, his title should appear on the line underneath his name: Jason Gunther / Lieutenant, United States Army. All of the same rules apply if the bride is a member of the military.

Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine wedding invitations available at the Wedding Boutique.

What is the Arch of Swords (or Sabres)? This is without a doubt one of the highlights of a military wedding. At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, an honor guard of six or eight officers will assemble outside of the church or venue. On command, they raise their swords to form an arch, and the newlyweds walk under it together. When they arrive at the end of the arch, the last pair of sword bearers will drop their weapons to briefly block their progress; the bride and groom have to exchange a kiss before being released, at which point the man next to the bride will gently swat her on the tush with his sword and say, “Welcome to the Army, M’am”. The couple then finishes their walk, the swords are withdrawn, and the head usher announces the newlyweds to the guests.

What other customs can I include in my military wedding? One of the most popular is using the groom’s sword or sabre to cut the first slice of wedding cake at the reception. This certainly adds a bit of drama to the moment. Another custom is to display the American flag and the standard of the bride or groom’s unit at the wedding. Many military couples will also choose to incorporate a patriotic color scheme into their weddings. Enjoy the unique customs and traditions that make a military wedding one of the most meaningful types of all.

About the Author Bridget Mora

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Classic details such as pearl bridal jewelry are ideal for the formal style of military weddings.