Plan the Perfect Military Wedding
The day's finally arrived. After all these years waiting for the right one, you've finally find that special someone. Soon a marriage proposal comes your way, one that's sure to change life forever.
Finally, you've got the chance to plan the wedding you’ve dreamed about since childhood. And all your plans start falling in place, almost like magic — when suddenly something comes up to change the tune. Your soon-to-be spouse learns they're about to be deployed overseas.
All your hopes and dreams for happiness seem lost ... at least for now. You still long to marry — but there's so much to do, and so many unique circumstances that other couples don’t face! From finding a chaplain to paying those amped-up fees involved in a rush wedding, your task list can seem even more daunting than the average bride's.
True, it's not like you're the only one to face this. Others, too, have lived the military life from day one, and were so proud to play a role that they enlisted as adults. If you're one of those who grew up in the military, shifting from base to base and city to city, you probably long for a military wedding that embodies all the traditions and pride you've cherished all your life.
Yet, as you know, there are plenty of rules and regulations when it comes to doing things military style — even for weddings. And staying within the guidelines can be overwhelming. As a bride, you need answers on how to do it — and those answers won't be found in the pages of all those bridal magazines or bridal books. But take heart!
It goes without saying: there are vast differences between a civilian and a military wedding. In the the latter case, the ceremony may take place at the base/post chapel. Your officiant will be a military chaplain. The Arch of Sabers or Swords (depending on the branch of service) is used. And you'll need to pay special attention to the special formalities involved with invitations and seating arrangements.
To help make your military wedding planning a little smoother, try these tips:
Even if the couple chooses not to have the traditional Military Wedding, insurance (unless they are having a quick, simple civil ceremony at the courthouse) will save headaches and cover the loss of deposits or money due to changes or cancellations. When you marry into the military, never-ending shifts in deployment dates — quick deployments, delayed deployments, and extended deployments — are common. It’s best to plan ahead and be safe.
Take this example: The date's been set for a year out. You paid the deposits, and prepared the invitations (whew!). Then a set of orders shows up for the bride or groom that read, "Report to your duty station 19 May 2007. " Unfortunately, the wedding date was set for 25 May 2007! You now have to change everything ... and even re-order those invitations.
Unless you're working with extremely military-friendly vendors, there's a real risk of losing hefty deposits. Insurance is your best bet for safeguarding against this.
For a new bride who's marrying into the service, there's a whole new lingo to learn. For starters, you'll need to get acquainted with the formalities of the Arch ... but do the groomsmen raise Swords, or is it Sabers?
Here's your answer: Sabers are used for Air Force and Army. Swords are used for Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. The National Guard and Reserve go by the same etiquette and regulations of their service branch (i.e. Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Reserve, etc). Also, although most military personnel won't own a Sword or Saber, they can contact the Chaplain — who'll normally have these on hand for your use, or if not, the Commander will.
There are plenty of other terms you'll want to become familiar with and knowledgeable about, but don't worry ... as time goes on, the language will become second nature.
For tradition's sake, you're better off leaving it in. After all ... wasn't it the tradition that drew you to the idea of a full military wedding in the first place? It's best to only omit this step if the bride's the service member.
If you're not familiar with "the Swat," here's how it works: When the groomsmen assemble after the vows, the bride and groom then pass through the Arch of Saber or Swords (this symbolizes the military's welcome, and the couple's safe transition into their new life together). The couple pauses as the last two men lower their sabers or swords in front of the bride and groom. Then, the man to the right will then lightly “swat” the bride on the rear and say “Welcome to the Army” (or name the appropriate branch of service).
It’s important to know the proper seating arrangements for guests — not to mention, where the bride and groom should stand, including who stands on which side. The standing arrangement is determined by whether the service member is an officer, or enlisted.
A guest list will have Commanders, other Officers within the unit, and peers. It’s important to know the proper seating for all your guests ... and also for the receiving line. Everyone associated with a service member (i.e. their Commanders, Officers and peers within the unit or office) should be invited to the wedding.
When seating the groom or bride’s Commander and spouse, seat them with the family of the bride or groom, whichever group they represent. Commanders are usually seated in the front row when the bride or groom’s parents can't attend. Seat all other higher-ranking Officers directly behind the family of either the bride or groom.
Sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it? But not to worry — with the help of an innovative website, Military Weddings, you can get all the answers you need. MilitaryWeddings.com is a complete wedding planning site designed solely for the Military community. It offers everything you need to plan a military wedding from engagement to honeymoon — including who to contact in the Military installation; protocol and etiquette in seating arrangements; writing announcements; sending out invitations (including the correct way of addressing an envelope to commanding officer); the ceremony itself; Military chaplain services, and whether to use the base or post chapel. Plus, you'll find a complete shopping center for all your wedding needs, including stationery, gifts, bride and groom basics, and everything else you'll want for that special day.
Planning your wedding can be fun and exciting with the right tools. Stop by today and enjoy a wedding to remember for years to come.
Tags: 
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Jordan:
The dress blues will go great with warmer greens. A summery lime green or acid green goes great with the dark blue and makes it lighter. Also, flowers like Hydrangeas and roses come in some beautiful light, bright greens that will look great with his blues and your white dress. Stay away from ivory, it can take the blue into almost black. Congratulations! Whatever you choose, if you like it, it is perfect!
September 1st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
jordan-
just thought i would put my oppinion in on it
Those colors don’t sound too bad but don’t you think they sound kind of winterish?? i think you should pick more of a summer color…it’s hard to match the dress blues with a summer color…but i am doin red white and gold for mine…mine will prolly be in march depending on if he has to go to iraq or not…it all depends. Well i am wishing you luck and i hope i kind of helped you out a little
-Alysia
September 1st, 2008 at 1:33 am
My fiance and I aren’t having the Marine wedding with the swords and all, but he is going to wear his dress blues. I really don’t want to have a red, white, and blue wedding… I DO want everything to kinda go together though. Does anyone have ideas? I was kinda thinking navy blue and a green color.. Sounds ugly but I have seen pics and It looks good. My favorite idea is a gold/bronze with accents to creme and red. Yalls opinions would be great. Thanksss.. oh yea, its in July.. I know some people like to know when so they can pick colors accordingly.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Alysia - Ok hun =) Just send me a comment on myspace so I know its you =)
August 21st, 2008 at 12:52 am
~erqueen75
My fiance said that you just call him cheif warrant officer 3 then his name. He is in the Marines also
**Alysia
August 21st, 2008 at 12:48 am
Jennifer~
I am not doing the arch of sabers i don’t think…you don’t have to do it do you??
**Alysia
August 20th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
when you have a military wedding they will usually have their unit perform the arch of sabers (arch of swards). For example my husband is in the marine corps and his unit did the arch of sabers. Well not really because we did not have the money to ship them form north Carolina to Illinois for our wedding so I did some calling around and got a hold of an military officers school and they performed the arch of sabers for us. We did not have enough marines through the school so he has family that is in the marines and we had them join in on the arch of sabers so that we come out evenly and just perfect.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Jessica~
I sent you a request on myspace. I hope you get the request if not then let me know. i will be sure to look for you
THanks
~**Alysia
August 20th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I am marrying a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the Marine Corps, how do I correctly address him as the groom on our wedding invitations? thankyou very much !
August 20th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Niki - What I did was ask my Marines recruitor & he said he would get Marines together to do it for us. Thats what I did =) I hope this helps you out =)
August 20th, 2008 at 1:20 am
August 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I had a Marine Corps wedding back in May this year. And it turned out to be very budget friendly. If you ladies have any questions feel free to ask me. www.myspace.com/jlo_il_miss. I read some of your comments on wedding colors. So I will add my wedding colors were mainly pastels Blue Purple and Pink. We tried to get a variety of flowers beings that it was a may (spring) wedding.
But any way I do have some really nice pointers and extras that I think you ladies might want to think about incorporating in your wedding like I did mine… So again if you would like some advice or a question feel free to ask me my email is jlo_il_miss@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/jlo_il_miss
August 8th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Alysia- I tried adding you on myspace but it wouldnt work for me =( my email is pinky_15_jess@hotmail.com or you can search my name that should work to.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Cynthia…
THanks
None of the marines that are in the wedding have swords…so we don’t have to worry about that…and he is a reservist so i am not sure that we have to have that at the wedding but i will have him look into it
August 8th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Just to keep you all posted we had to move the wedding date…dad said that that date was too soon for him…he is the one that likes to waste money on toys for the family
which isn’t always a bad thing
We are not sure as to when we are going to reschedule the wedding but i think i will keep up with my planning just so i don’t have to do it all at the last minute
So i need as much help as i can get if you have any ideas then feel free to let me know
Jessica thanks for all of your help i really appreciate it…my myspace url is www.myspace.com/pkchic07 so look me up and add me and i will be sure to add you
Thanks again
-Alysia
August 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Alysia I’m sorry I didn’t read over my comment & I spelled a lot of things wrong. My Name is Jessica Hohn I am a Marine Fiancée & I talk to a lot of other Marine fiancées & Wives on Myspace =)
August 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Cynthia-I’m not sure about a program for this but I went to my marines recruitor & asked him if he could get some Marines together for our wedding to do the sword ceremony & he said Yes =) So maybe his recruitor can help you too.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Alysia- Yes I think those colors would be a good idea. When My Marine & I get married we are colors in red, white, & blue. The groomsmen are wear there dress blues also & the bridesmaids are wearing red dresses with red, white, & blue boquets =) I am the type of person that likes to match everything. I am 18 but I think matching is the way to go =)
August 5th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Alysia - Yeah that sounds like good choices. I have decided on the navy blue of coast guard dress and oasis like blue green with sunflowers. But that sounds good I just dont want red white blue. Yellow looks good cuz their golf parts of uniform……
August 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
My Marine and I will wed in March 2009 in the north Jersey area. He is part of a JTU (Joint Training Unit) with mainly the Army. Because of this he does not have enough fellow Marine officers he can ask to take part in the sword ceremony. Are you aware of any program that will volunteer to help out in this sort of situation?
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Me and My Marines wedding is November 22, 2008. He is wearing his dress blues and so are all of his groomsmen and his best man and i am thinkin about going with red and white as my colors…sound like a good idea? I don’t want the colors to clash with his dress blues so i am limited on the color choices. So let me know what you think…I am very very new at this i am 19 and never been to a wedding that i can remember so i need as much advice and help as possible.
Thanks
July 14th, 2008 at 10:33 am
my fiance is in the coast guard and i am having a hard time deciding on colors…and what dress uniform should he be wearing if it is summer or fall (havent decided yet)…. what colors for bridemaids would look best with his dress uniform?
June 11th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I am getting married next year in July. My fiance wants me to wear my dress whites. I am retired Canadian Armed Forces, Navy. The tunic has to be tailor made, not issue. I am looking for a tailor in around the maritimes (Halifax, etc) that can make one for me. If anyone has any information about this, please let me know. I would appreciate it.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hi Ladies, thought you might enjoy watching this couple’s cute pass through the arch of sabers at their own wedding while you’re planning yours!
May 19th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hi! I was proposed to the day my man of 6 years graduated from marine corp basic training last month. He said we would wait a while before the wedding, he loves the marine corp but isn’t sure where he will be, so we can’t make a date. Any advice? Should we do it on base or beach like we planned before the usmc? Were both from Florida, so we want tropical stuff, but can’t figure out how to incorporate that into the marines stuff….help!! I’m new to ALL of this!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I need help finding a dress vest that is red and has the USMC anchors in gold on it. Can you help me?
May 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
HELP!! My Fiancee and i are planning on getting married after he gets out of USMC bootcamp. Im having a really hard time finding Marine Corps. stuff for weddings. Does anyone know where to get stuff?
May 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
My boyfriend who is in the army and i are talking about getting married and i want some help. since he is gone so often iwas wondering if someone whould give me advise
March 12th, 2008 at 12:18 am
well i have decided that we are going to have blue,a very very light pink and green.and in my flowers i will also have yellow roses.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Green and soft or bright pink work real well. Blue and red also work as great colors. We are still deciding which set to go with.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:33 am
What i did i made my own marine invites. it was so much cheaper than ordering them. all i did was buy a wedding invitation kite at target and found the marine logo that i wanted off of the internet and just put it all together with the easy to follow steps that came with the do it yourself invitation kit. the invites turned out great and everyone loved them. best of all i made them myself And my guest had no idea that i made them my self and had looked like i just ordered them. not only was it cheap but you can add your own personal touch. it only cost me $90 for 150 invites with response cards. it saved me $300.00
good luck …
January 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
hey ladies. my wedding to mysoldier is april 26, 2008. he is in the national guard. he will be wearin his green class a’s and the color we did for my bridesmaids is a sage green and black. my dress is ivory. the groomsmen will be wearing black tuxedos with a green. it matches perfectly. we used the color of his undershirt and tried to find the closest match. it’s a perfect spring color and i mean it’s not pink like i would love but it’s still a beautiful color.! try green?
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Actually, it isn’t just the officer’s that are able to have the saber ceremony. NCO’s are also allowed to do so. I was in a Marine Corps wedding last year where my best friend and her husband had the arch and cake cutting with the saber/sword. It was beautiful. All you have to do is talk with the command and see about getting the swords signed out to whomever is in charge of the sword detail. It has to be an NCO…possibly a Staff NCO, but I don’t know that part for sure. Hope this helps! Good luck with your wedding! God Bless!
January 20th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
My Sailor and I are getting hitched and I want to have the whole Military wedding thing and I absolutely adore the idea of the sabers and swords but, I thought only Officers were allowed to use the sabers and swords at the weddings. You know, for the arch and for the cutting of the cake? I could be wrong.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Shauna
January 18th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
My Marine and I are getting Married and it is so hard trying to find marine wedding stuff. And I need so much help. Can you help me??
Thanx for your time
December 18th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
hi My name is jenny and i make military wedding invitations . I wanted to see if you can provide bride’s with my web sit in you page if you can please email me . The sit is www.myspace.com/militaryinvitations.
thanks so much and i love the way your helping so may bride’s .
November 19th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Help, my fiance is in the Marines, his brothers are in the Navy, and Army. We wanted to do a patrotic wedding and everyone be in their dress uniforms but we need suggesting and help with the color cordination and flowers. Help us please
October 21st, 2007 at 11:17 pm
**HELP** My future husband is and officer (2nd Lt, possibly 1st Lt. by the wedding ) in the Army National Guard. We want to to the saber arch. here areour issues…he has served 4 year including 1 year of deployment to Iraq as an enlisted man, and he wants those that went with him to preform the line, along with my uncle (Ret. Chief Petty officer USN) and My cousin (Currently serving USN)… can we do any of this?? I know that my 2 Navy men are not athorized to wear a cutless so we were going to have them Hand slute and have our other men carry steel…I am so confused about were to look for anwsers.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Help!! My fiance and I originally wanted to get married the day after he graduated bootcamp. I had everything all set up and even though it was his day off with his family and I got to see him all weekend his commander did not allow us to get married. Now that he is a PFC in the army and going through AIT, can they still tell us we cannot get married when he comes home for exidus (xmas leave)? It’s hard to plan something knowing that, so if anyone knows anything that would help tremendously!
Thanks!
September 24th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I have been reading everyone comments and I am still unsure about the sword detail. My husband and I are renewing our vows come Feb. We got married in the courthouse right out of boot camp. Now that we are having our big wedding that I have always wanted, I wanted to do some kind of Military traditions. My husband is a Sgt in the Marine Corps and he doesnt think it is ok to do the sword arch. Is it allowed? What is the Min. of men that have to be in it. As well, what rank do they all have to be? Also is there any other ideas i could so during my big day to have the military in it??
Thank You
September 21st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I am facing the same issue, it seems, as a few women. How hard is it to get a waiver to have the arch of sabres? My fiance is an enlisted member of the army, and he is working on becoming an NCO (and might possibly be one by the time our wedding actually happens). Our wedding is going to be rather unique, though. We’re not having it on the military base, because no one we know will be able to travel to where he is stationed, so we’re having it near his home. His father and grandfather and my step-father and grandfather were all service members, and we’re going to have members from EVERY branch in our wedding (we’re both from quite patriotic families). We’re having an outdoor wedding, and the reception will follow at the same location. We want the full military formal wedding, but we’re wrestling with how we are going to pull that off in the heat of the summer outside. We’re definitely planning on blue white and silver themes, with plenty of red incorporated into the reception. I need suggestions on how to work everything out though. It’s almost a year off and the stress is already getting to me!!
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:43 pm
My fiance and I are getting married next sept of 08. He just joined the national guard. He is some friends in the guards also. He wants to have him and two of his buddies where there class As in the wedding and I’m not sure what color tux I should have the other two groomsmen where that won’t look taky. And I also wanted my bridesmaids to where pink but I’m not sure if that will clash or not? What do you think I could do for colors for the groomsmen and bridesmaid that will look elegeant and not taky? Please help!!
August 30th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
HELLO, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH IN THE MILITARY, ARMY ACTIVE DUTY CURRENTLY DEPLOYED IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN. WE GOT MARRIED AT THE COURTHOUSE BEFORE GETTING DEPLOYED AND ARE PLANNING A SMALL WEDDING OR RECEPTION ONCE WE RETURN. I WAS WANTING SOME MILITARY WEDDING IDEAS SUCH AS WHETHER BOTH OF US SHOULD WEAR OUR MILITARY UNIFORM, CLASS A’S OR SHOULD HE AND THE BEST MAN SHOULD WEAR THE UNIFORM, ETC.
IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO CAN GUIDE ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON WHERE TO FIND INFO. ABOUT THIS I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANKS IN ADVANCE,
SGT CAMILLE JOHNSON
August 9th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Ok, I know you can have whatever colors you want for your wedding and still have your groom wear his military uniform, but I’m really big on matching. I don’t like the idea of having pink and purple dresses and flowers while my hunny and his friends are all wearing army green dress uniforms. We are having a SMALL beach wedding the first weekend of October and I’m stuck on colors. I just want it to look good with his uniform, i was thinking bronze and golds but I just don’t know. ANY SUGGESTIONS???
July 17th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Okay, my fiancee is in the National Guard and is a Pv2……..and we got engaged Dec of 06 and want to plan a May of 08 and it is now July of 07. Nothing has been bought, nothing has been set in stone planned yet. But we seriously need to get on the ball with this. I need any and all information to help me along STARTING my plans on this. I don’t want 100% military wedding, but want the cake topper, the arch and right invites, etc. along with the traditional civilian wedding too. Any and ALL help, please please reply with it, it’ll be greatly appreciated.
July 7th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
my fiance and I are getting married next year and are having a military wedding. he is in the army reserves and is a SGT. does anyone have any advise? we’ve never been to a military wedding and haven’t found anyone yet who has had one or who has been to one. please give me some feedback on this. thanks!!!
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:43 am
i need help
im going back to iraq next week and when i get back i want to get a Military Wedding when i was little i always wanted to join the army when i was a kid and now i made my dreams come true and now its hard because i need to pick a good Military Wedding song but i cant find a good song on any website for a Military Wedding can u guys please send me a good website with Military Wedding songs
June 18th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Whitney, I had run into the same problem I wanted my man in his dress blues for our wedding (as well as my father giving me away in his), but what about matching all the other colors, right? Well we have decided to put our groomsmen in blue suits/tuxes, which then posed a huge problem with what color my bridesmaids would wear. I explored alot of possibilities and I personally decided on red (a shade with some blue undertones) this is a very classy color, but is not a tacky way of incorporating a patriotic theme. I also think a lighter shade of blue or silver would work, too. I hope this helps, good luck with your planning!!
June 12th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
hello, i am in the army and wanting to get married by sep 1st of this year. help me out, cuz this is my first wedding…..ever. so if you could help me out that would be wild. thank. Pvt Ryan
June 11th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
My FH is not in the military, however, one of our groomsmen is. Should I ask that he get a tux to coordinate with the rest of the wedding party? Or should I tell him that he can wear his uniform instead?
June 3rd, 2007 at 6:22 pm
May a warrant officer be allowed a saber ritual?? Or is it just for commosioned officers??
June 3rd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
help!!!!!!
i have always wanted a “PRINCESS” wedding but my guy is in ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. WE really want to incorporate this into the wedding but we cant decide on bridesmaid dress colors to coordinate with his dress uniform. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS????????? PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please keep in mind we want a beautiful elegant feel but with a hint of military!!!!!!! thanks soo much i cant wait to see what you have in mind.
April 15th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Ms Jamie..Unfortunately, only officers in the Army are afforded this timeless ritual unless you can get a waiver. In the Marine Corp, all of the enlisted, retired, or former marines, whether officer or not may have the saber arch. Typically, the Arch of Sabers is never done inside any sanctuary without explicit consent of the Officiant. The only time that this is ever done is in the case of inclement weather, and only after approval is given by the church. You can have your fiancee request a waiver from his 1st SGT. Good Luck and Best Wishes!
April 15th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
ok, I am really lost.. My fiance is a Privite soon to be First Class Privite in the Army, so does that mean we can’t have the sabers? Also we are getting married inside a chruch so does that mean we can’t have the sabers inside.. help please!
March 14th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Yes, anyone in the Marine Corps can have the arch of swords as Dee stated. However, you don’t have to be Active Duty or retired from the Corps to have the Arch of Swords. We are having this in our vow renewal in 4 months. My husband recently got out of the Marine Corps, after 12 years of service. Regardless of the service, it is a meaningful piece to incorporate into your military wedding! I can’t wait for my chance to walk under the arch in 4 months! Good luck to everyone!
March 6th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Ms Pam.. To try and help answer your question about the conflicts in information. As I understand it, anyone in the Marines can have the Arch of Sabers. As long as he is in active duty or retired from the Marine Corp. If he is in the Army, then only officers can have the Arch of Sabers (unless given a waiver by his CO to have the right). My fiancee is a SSGT in the Army National Guard and we are getting a waiver to have the Arch of Sabers due to him having 20yrs of service completed before our wedding. I hope this helps.
March 4th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
In addition to my other comments, I wanted to add that it is supposidly “proper ediquette (sp)” to have OFFICERS’ rank included on the wedding invitations. However, I am a Marine wife and will say that my husband deserves to be recognized as a Staff Sgt, and will include that on our invitations. They will read: (First line) Staff Sgt Robert Welch Jr., (Second Line) United States Marine Corps…..and then the rest of the wording. My opinion is that these guys have put their lives on the line to keep this country safe, so, the least we can do is recognize them every chance we get. Remember, this is YOUR wedding, so WHATEVER YOU guys want is what you should have. Take care! Good luck. Semper Fi!
March 4th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Okay, hopefully I will be of some help. My husband is a Marine, and we are renewing our wedding vows after nearly 11 years of marriage, three kids, and two tours in Iraq. He recently got out of the military as well, as a Staff Sgt. Enlisted Marines, Soldiers, etc ARE allowed to participate in the Sword Detail. As a matter of fact, we just came from a wedding where my husband led the detail. The others were SGT’s and below. Anyone is able to have the sword ceremony at the wedding, so long as the swords are not unsheathed inside the religious facility such as the church, etc. The traditional place to “walk under the swords” is right out the doors of the church. I am having the Sword Detail at my wedding vow renewal, and think that it is an awesome addition to the day! Good Luck! Semper Fi!
February 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
help!!!!!!!!!! how would i put his name on our invitaions. can i put LCPL, Morano, Brice and Jennifer Hitchcock. or can i not beings that he had an honerable discharge.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
My fiance is discharged from the Marines due to medical terms. we are having the arch of saber ceremony at our wedding and he is not an officer. so it can be done. but i do think that it has somthing to do with what branch of service he is in doesnt it. i think any way.
November 21st, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Okay so I am soo confused … My fiance is an enlisted SGT and I am aware that enlisted soldier cannot participate in the saber ceremony, but I keep seeing conflicting information if we can even have the saber ceremony or not because he in not an officer … can you clarify this ?