Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Military Wedding Ettiquette





Military weddings with the solemnity of uniform and of swords or sabers, are similar to both civil and religious weddings. Military persons on active duty, and certain retirees, retain the privilege of a military wedding. Military academy students can’t get married until they graduate, so academy chapels are usually completely booked within hours after graduation. Since having a military wedding is a great honor and privilege—any military person can rent a tux or buy a wedding dress—couples have an obligation to plan a proper wedding. The following are some points to keep in mind when planning a military wedding:

• Because a military wedding is a special ceremony, it should be as formal as possible.
• Attendants don’t have to wear their uniforms; they may rent tuxedos or buy gowns.
• If the groom is in the military, his rank always appears on the invitation. 

If the bride is in the military, her name appears on the invitation only if she plans to marry while wearing her uniform. All military personnel have a Class A uniform, which is usually acceptable for a military wedding. Grooms should pair their Class A uniforms with a white dress shirt and a long black tie for day or a bow tie for evening. Officers and individuals who have careers in the military usually buy a dress uniform. Like Class A uniforms, dress uniforms can be worn with white dress shirts and long black ties or bow ties. A military bride can opt for a dress uniform with a long or short skirt, depending on when the reception will begin. However, know that commanders are responsible for determining which type of uniform is permitted.
Overall, the image you must achieve is the bride, groom, and attendants looking consistent. In addition, guests should wear the same category of uniform as the wedding party, if possible. The following are additional details regarding attire:
• Flowers and boutonnieres are never pinned to a uniform, but brides and attendants in uniform may carry flowers.
• Signs of patriotism, such as an American flag and unit flags, are appropriate at the ceremony and reception.
• All members of the wedding party who are wearing uniforms should wear the same medals and ribbons. The bride and groom can choose full medals, miniature medals, or ribbons. The idea, again, is to have the wedding party look consistent. The military wedding ceremony is the same as a traditional wedding ceremony up until the recessional. At that point, the bride and groom wait in a quiet area as the arch is formed; remember to ask military guests ahead of time whether they would like to participate in the formation. The military sword or saber arch, which is unique to military weddings, is the ceremony’s most visual aspect and provides great photo opportunities. Note that Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard weddings often use swords to form the arch, while Army and Air Force weddings often use sabers. Attendants and other guests in uniform exit the site after the arch is formed. At the command of the highest ranking official, all raise their swords or sabers to form the arch. Traditionally, the last two sword bearers lower their swords to stop the couple. After the newlyweds kiss, they then raise their swords to allow the couple to pass. At most military bases, the swords and sabers used during a military wedding are available at the chapel. Usually, the best man is responsible for ensuring that these items are obtained for the ceremony. At the reception, military protocol is also followed. Inviting the bride’s or groom’s superior, as well as that person’s superior, to the wedding is proper etiquette; however, the bride’s or groom’s immediate superior is usually the only one who attends. During the reception, a sword or saber is also used to cut the wedding cake. Seating arrangements, especially for formal military weddings, are determined by rank; the highest-ranking official should be sitting closest to the front of the room, and the lowest-ranking official should be sitting closest to the back of the room. The same seating arrangements are also used for the reception.

Happy Planning- Information pout forward by the ABC

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