A Look at the Rich Traditions of Military Weddings
by Nicole DeSonia

Military weddings are considered an honor and a privilege for those in any branch of military service.
The wedding itself is very similar to a civilian wedding.  No extra paperwork is required.  But military weddings are full of traditions, special only to the military.

First the decision of where the ceremony will be held needs to be made.  Options include a military chapel (on base), a military academy, or a civilian place or worship.  An advantage to getting married on base is that it is free.  The person performing the ceremony is performing a service, which is part of their job, which is paid for by the government.

Traditions and rituals begin with the invitations.  Traditional non-military-style invitations are usually used.  Included on them should be any military titles or ranks held by the bride and groom, and either set or parents.  Also included on the invitations should be “full dress uniform invited”.  This lets guests know they are welcome to come to the wedding in uniform.

Military custom also says that a formal invitation to the wedding ceremony be extended to the chaplain and his or her spouse.

For the ceremony, the groom, if in the military, wears his uniform, not a tuxedo.  The groom, along with any other men attending in uniform, should wear their military decorations instead of a boutonnière.  Grooms in the Marines should wear white gloves.  All Navy grooms who have been commissioned, should wear cutlasses.

If the bride is a military officer, she may wear her uniform or a traditional wedding dress.  She may still carry a bouquet.

Before getting married, it is a customary courtesy to request the Commanding Officer’s permission.
Permission is also needed to wear your military uniform as well.  From a security viewpoint, authorities need to know when public events are being held that include military personnel, especially if they are carrying firearms.

When talking with the chaplain performing the ceremony, his permission is needed when dealing with decorations options as well as photography.  Sometimes there are strict rules that need to be followed.

• The bride stands to the right of the groom because of the locations of the grooms saber (if in the military).
• All of the ushers stand to the left side of the bridesmaids in the processional.   This shows honor towards the bride.
• Many couples choose to display an American Flag during the ceremony.  This is a sign of honor and patriotism.
• At the reception, military guests are seated according to rank.

Perhaps on of the most recognized traditions and rituals of a military wedding is the arch of swords, or sabers.

An arch is formed by an honor guard, which is made up of members of the military who would normally wear a saber or sword while in dress uniform.  Two lines are formed opposite of each other.  On the command “drawl sabers”, they are raised with the right hand, cutting edge facing up.  The couple enters the arch, kisses, and then continues to pass through.

Another tradition that goes along with the arch of swords (sabers) is the “swat to the backside” of the bride from the last swordsman.  He then welcomes her to the particular branch of the military.  The sabers are then returned to their carry position.

This passage through the arch is meant to ensure the couple’s safe transition into their new life together.
“It’s a tradition like carrying a bride across the threshold,” said Colonel Rock Roszak, Director of Alumni Relations for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.

Depending on the weather and the size of the chapel, the arch can be done inside or outside the chapel doors.

At War Memorial Chapel, on the Virginia Tech campus, the arch is held outside the chapel doors, due to size.

When securing a site for the wedding, try to book the location a year in advance.  It is often a good idea to pick a few possible dates.  Places tend to book up quickly, especially military academies.  This is mainly because undergraduates are not permitted to get married.  This leaves a lot of people competing for limited space after graduation.

At the Naval Academy, the chapel is somewhat infamous.  Graduation takes place in the morning, then the chapel is booked in about 20 minute blocks, for weddings.

Virginia Tech is not a military academy, but they do have the Corps of Cadets.

“The Corps of Cadets, from my experience, are really, they really plan things through,” said Reverend James M. Arsenault, Pastor at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Blacksburg.  “They are very serious and this is like another one of their structured ways of thinking, when to get married.  They try to have a game plan.”

The Corps doesn’t use War Memorial Chapel like the newly graduated officers at the Naval Academy use their chapel.

“I’ve been in this position about a year, and I think since I’ve been here we’ve probably had about six to ten military weddings,” said War Memorial Chapel Manager Jamie Williams.

Age wise, the bride and groom of military weddings are below the average age.

“In this area of Blacksburg, I think our average age is late 20’s.  So they [people in the military] are perhaps a little younger,” Fr. Arsenault said.  “They [the Corps] are very conscious.  They want to follow the rules.  They like the idea of the six month [engagement period] and they’re often not in any hurry to get married and often they want to wait until they’re graduated.”

Military weddings are a good example of how a foundation is formed when traditions and rituals get blended together.