Military Weddings

Are you an officer in the US military?  Are you a retired officer of one of the US military branches? If so, you might consider having a military wedding, complete with military uniforms,  sabres,  and a cake  topped with a little military cake topper.  This guide will offer some of the basics about planning a military wedding, however, it's a good idea to check with your commanding officer for advice and tips on any regulations, traditions, or local protocols to follow.

Time and Place

For truly traditional military weddings, you'll probably marry at the base chapel or at a military academy. Get in touch with the chaplain to see if the chapel or synagogue is available for the date you want, or search for a ceremony site elsewhere. If you marry on-site, the chaplain will perform the ceremony. Otherwise, you'll need to hire an officiant. Always double check with the ceremony site to see what decorations are allowed, and what the procedures are for decorating. You might need to supply your own flowers,  balloons,  aisle runner,  pew markers,  candles,  etc. You'll also need to buy the item to throw as you exit, such as birdseed,  bubbles,  or rose petals. 

Next, you'll need to secure the reception location. Typically enlisted clubs and officers' clubs are good places to look into, but some couples prefer a hotel or banquet hall instead. See the guides on Choosing a Wedding Location and Questions You Should Ask a Reception Site for more help planning your wedding.

Attire

The wedding attire is something that sets military weddings apart  from civilian ones. Usually the grooms dress sets the level of formality for the groomsmen and ushers to follow. If the male attendants are not from the same branch as the groom, have them wear whatever dress matches the formality of the groom's. White gloves  for the men are in order for all formal weddings, except for the groom and best man who have to handle the rings. Other men at the wedding may also wear their formal dress uniforms whether active or retired. Simply state on the invitations: Full dress uniform invited.

• Ultra-Formal White-Tie Weddings -- The men should wear their formal evening dress uniform in blue or white depending on the season.
• Formal Black-Tie Weddings -- Mess dress uniform is appropriate for formal and ultra-formal weddings.
• Semi-Formal Weddings -- Dress blues or service uniforms are fine, either in navy or white depending on the season.

For men in military attire, they do not wear the traditional boutonnieres,  but rather adorn their uniforms with military decorations.

As for the women, they are allowed to wear their formal dress uniforms if they like. However, the bride usually opts for a traditional wedding gown.  The bridesmaids wear dresses that highlight the colors that the groom is wearing, such as navy,  red,  blue,  gold,  or white.  Female guests can wear what they wish as long as it is in line with the formality of the wedding.

Decoration Suggestions

Red, White, and Blue Wedding
Decorate your cake with a military cake topper.	Hang an American flag  or one from your division.	Try red and white roses  or flowers in blue vases.	Use star place card holders.	Consider throwing star confetti  on the tables.

Gold and Black Influences
Drape gold and black fabric from the walls to make stripes to mimic shoulder boards.	Perhaps use china  with gold and black accents. Also try a table runner or napkins in gold and black.	Tightly cluster marigolds or other yellow flowers into black vases.	Use gold and silver star motifs were possible: on place card holders,  favors,  and elsewhere.	Decorate the tables with black and gold balloons.

Special Touch: Arch of Sabers

While not mandatory, the arch of sabers makes a military ceremony more fun and traditional -- guests will certainly not forget it. Six to eight commissioned officers (or Marine NCOs) in full formal dress uniforms stand with the sabers  (or swords  for Navy and Marine weddings) to create an arch under which the bride and groom walk as they exit the ceremony location. Make sure not to unsheathe the swords inside the ceremony site. How it works: The head officer shouts, "Center face!" for the officers to line up, then "Draw sabers!" for them to create the arch (sword edge up). He then announces the bride and groom so that they can walk through. Often, the last two officers drop their sabers to block the couple from leaving and make them kiss, sending them out of the arch with a tap on their tushes for good luck. Talk to the chaplain or the commanding officers on your base to see if they have the swords to use. You might also ask the ROTC unit in your area or any local military branch. Rifles can also be used. Read more about the arch ceremony here.

Other Details

• Ceremony -- The bride stands to the right, rather than the left of the groom (usually it is the other way around). Likewise, all the groomsmen stand to the left of the bridesmaids as well.
• Seating -- The ushers should seat guests in order of their military rank, and those with a higher rank are seated closer to the front of the ceremony site. Also, officers should invite their commanding officer and spouse who will sit in the very front of the ceremony site, next to the parents or family.
• Cake Cutting -- Instead of a regular cake cutting knife,  the cake is cut using a saber from the arch ceremony!

Related Guides
Wedding Flowers	Ceremony Decorations	Reception Decorations	Formal Weddings	Destination Weddings

External Links

• About.com -- What you need to know if you are planning a military wedding.
• EHow -- How to plan a military wedding.
• Fayettevillenc.com -- Invitation wording for traditional and military weddings.