What does a military wedding entail?
My fiance is an officer in the Marines and he wants a military wedding. All I know about military weddings is he will be wearing his officer’s uniform. What are other traditions in a military-style wedding?
Wedding Attire
An officer or enlisted personnel in the bridal party wear uniforms in accordance with the formality of the wedding and seasonal regulations.
For officers, evening dress uniform conforms to civilian white tie and tails. Dinner or mess dress uniform is in accordance with black tie.
In the case of non-commissioned officers, dress blues or Army green uniforms may be worn at formal or informal weddings. A female officer may wear a traditional bridal gown, or she may be married in uniform. A boutonniere is never worn with uniform.
White gloves are a necessity for all saber (sword) bearers. The choice to attend the wedding in uniform as a military guest is optional
At the ceremony, the bride or groom’s commanding officer and spouse may sit in the front pew if the parents are not present. Or, the commanding officer may sit near or with the family.
Flag and general officers are customarily seated just behind the two families
Marine Corps – The Arch of Swords
The arch of swords for weddings is authorized for commissioned, warrant, staff noncommissioned officers, and noncommissioned officers only. The arch of swords ceremony is an old English and American custom, which gives a symbolic pledge of loyalty to the newly married couple from their Marine family. Only the newly married couple is allowed to pass under the arch.
The ushers normally form the sword detail, however other officers, warrant or staff noncommissioned officers may be designated as needed. Customarily, six or eight members take part in the ceremony. The ushers form at the bottom of the chapel steps, in two equal ranks, at normal interval, facing each other, with sufficient room between ranks (3 to 4 paces) for the bride and groom to pass. The senior usher is positioned in the left rank furthest from the chapel exit.
The swordsmen, usually ushers, seat the guests, and after the mother of the bride has been escorted, will hook on their swords, wearing them until time to form the arch.
It is virtually the same as the Arch of Sabers except for the command “Officers, Draw Swords” when the swords are drawn from their scabbards in one continuous motion, rising gracefully to touch the tip of the opposite sword. Then, at “Invert Swords” there is a quick turning of the wrist so that the cutting edge is up.
At a military wedding, the bride and groom usually leave the chapel or church under the traditional arch of sabers.
It is preferable that six ushers in uniform perform this ceremony, although many more may take part. Ushers may be in uniform of one or more services.
Rifles can be substituted for the sabers if there is difficulty in obtaining the needed amount. Most military chapels have them on hand, or the couple could check with the local military museum or with the various commanding officers to request the sabers.
At the reception, if the groom is in uniform, protocol demands that he proceed the bride in the receiving line.
The national colors and distinguishing flags may be displayed, exactly centered, behind the receiving line, and if the reception room is large, the bridal couple may want an arch included at the reception instead of during the recessional.
Cutting of the Cake
On command, the saber bearers enter the reception room in formation lining up in front of the wedding cake, facing each other.
The bride and groom leave the receiving line, then pass beneath the arch. They may pause and kiss, before proceeding to cut the cake. The groom would then hand the bride his unsheathed saber and with his hands over hers, their first piece is cut.
At a Marine Corps Birthday cake cutting ceremony or a military wedding reception, it is customary to use an officer or noncommissioned officer’s sword to cut the birthday or wedding cake.
For a Marine Corps cake cutting ceremony, the sword is usually placed unsheathed on the cake cart and handed to the commanding general/commanding officer by the senior escort. This is done by laying the sword over the left forearm, cutting edge away from the body, and the hilt towards the commanding general/commanding officer.
At a wedding, an officer, warrant or staff noncommissioned officer passes his sword and presents it to his bride, by laying the sword over his left forearm, cutting edge away from the body, hilt towards the bride. The bride takes the sword and cuts the wedding cake, with the groom’s right hand resting over hers on the sword’s hilt and with his left arm free to place around his bride. (Note: To preclude damaging the sword’s blade, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned prior to returning it to the scabbard.)
There is no ornamentation to the saber. It must remain undecorated.
US 1860 Heavy Cavalry Saber : Cold Steel Swords
|
|
Excellent Weapon Collection Very Sharp Japanese Sword Dagger Sabre 13011 $29.80 |
|
|
Maxam® Reproduction U.S. Marine Non-Commissioned Officer's Saber $36.15 |
|
|
Handmade Damascus Steel Dynasty Emperor Baoteng Sabre Chinese Sword Reproduction $3,988.00 |
|
|
Civil War Military Calvary Sword & Scabbard Saber New $29.95 |
|
|
Red Light Saber Sword for Nintendo Wii Star Wars Remote $10.12 |
|
|
Thunercats Sword Before Launch Sabre Cartoon Decor Figure Model Diorama N84 $0.99 |
|
|
Buffalo Sabres Bizmark NHL Franchise Hockey Gray Natural Mesh Hat Cap Sword S/M $18.99 |
|
|
Lot 4 lightsaber light saber sword STAR WARS green/blue $26.99 |
|
|
Vintage Gold Tone Faux Pearl & Rhinestone Sword Saber Brooch – Signed Coro $27.50 |
|
|
Custom Lightsaber Rapier Fencing sword sabre w/sound! $600.00 |
|
|
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre No. 5 by Louis Cha (2005, Paperback) $59.95 |
|
|
Sword Masonic dress sabre $149.00 |
|
|
Champagne Saber Laguiole Sword France made sparkling wine opener with wood box $189.00 |
|
|
Art of Defence on Foot with the Broad Sword and Sabre, $19.21 |
|
|
Red Light Saber Sword for Nintendo Wii Star Wars Remote $10.14 |
|
|
2nd Gen. Saint George Dragon Saber Fantasy Knight Sword $12.57 |
|
|
Norwegian Sword, Inscribed M1888 Krag’s Cavalry Sabre $170.00 |
|
|
Japanese samurai sabre STAINLESS STEEL Sword display stand Letter Opener $8.99 |
|
|
NEW 35″ Replica United States U.S. US USMC Marines Saber Sword – Gift Boxed $101.99 |
|
|
Civil War Sword Model 1840 Wrist Breaker Cavalry Saber $280.12 |
|
|
Civil War Sword C. Roby & Co. Cavalry Saber-RARE Single Line Mark $427.00 |
|
|
Old German Naval Dress Daggers Swords Sabers & Dirks V3 $99.99 |
|
|
40in Calvary Sword Scabbard Saber NEW $37.95 |
|
|
Military Civil War Calvary Sword 27″ Saber Scabbard NEW $39.99 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL DEEPLY CARVED BLACK SABER SWORD BAKELITE PIN VINTAGE $125.00 |
|
|
Gettysburg CIVIL WAR SABER SWORD Letter Opener with Scabbard $22.69 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL DEEPLY CARVED RED/BLACK SABER SWORD WITH BRASS BAKELITE PIN VINTAGE $400.00 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL DEEPLY CARVED BUTTERSCOTCH SABER SWORD WITH BRASS BAKELITE PIN VINTAGE $350.00 |
|
|
2 BLACK HANDLE LIGHT UP SWORD RED W BALL lights toys space swords saber lite NEW $9.49 |
|
|
6 BLACK HANDLE LIGHT UP SWORD RED W BALL lights toys space swords saber lite NEW $18.74 |
|
|
Japanese samurai sabre STAINLESS STEEL Sword display stand Letter Opener $7.77 |
|
|
French Model 1821 Infantry Sword SABRE D’OFFICIER D’INFANTERIE Mle 1821 $295.00 |
|
|
Red Light Saber Sword for Nintendo Wii Star Wars Remote $10.16 |
|
|
Russian Cossack Military Cavalry Sword Sabre with attached Dagger $59.80 |
|
|
Reproduction French 1812 Saber $98.65 |
|
|
Japanese samurai sabre STAINLESS STEEL Sword display stand Letter opener $8.80 |
|
|
Pre-WW II Japanese Imperial 1902 Officer’s Cermonial saber/ sword $150.00 |
|
|
CAVALRY SABER CIVIL WAR SWORD CSA Leather & wire grip $54.95 |
|
|
Antique French officers light cavalry sword saber $900.00 |
|
|
Civil War book Union Confederate Swords Sabers Uniforms $26.95 |
|
|
Japanese samurai sabre Sword Anime Toy COME WITH 1 display stand $12.99 |
|
|
Good M1860 Mansfield & Lamb Cavalry Sabre date 1864 with Original Sword Scabbard $450.00 |
|
|
39″ Civil War CS Cavalry Gold Saber Sword Confederate States W/ C.S.A. Rebel Hat $69.99 |
|
|
Sword Sabre Bow Sight Right Hand .010 Pins Black $59.99 |
|
|
Sword Sabre Bow Sight Right Hand .019 Pins Black $59.99 |
|
|
Sword Sabre Bow Sight Right Hand .029 Pins Black $59.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE INDO-PER FIRANGI FIRST HALF OF THE 19 CEN/ no dagger, saber, sword,knife $650.00 |
|
|
277-337# HANDMADE JAPANESE SAMURAI SABER SWORD KATANA OX/HIDE SHEATH $113.00 |
|
|
USMC Marine Corps NCO Sword Gold Dress Sabre Replica $34.59 |
|
|
Steel Chronicles of Riddick Saber Claws Hand Daggers $33.95 |
|
|
USMC Marine Corps Officer Mameluke Sabre Sword Replica $59.59 |
|
|
The Russina Cossack Saber Officer Military Sword Katana Dagger $59.80 |
|
|
Arabian Sabre Sword Machete/Machette Combat 440 SS 18″ Knife Leather Sheath Oth $10.50 |
|
|
Red Light Saber Sword for Nintendo Wii Star Wars Remote $10.20 |
|
|
British Model 1796 Napoleonic Period Infantry Officer Saber Sword $1,200.00 |
|
|
HEAVEN SWORD & DRAGON SABRE VOL #4 BY WING SHING MA NEW $9.99 |
|
|
GAUNTLETS RUSSIA WOOD SAYA ATTACHED BAYONET KNIGHT CAVALRY SABER SWORD $129.00 |
|
|
Battle Beasts Sabre Sword Tiger #50 w/ Rub & Weapon Complete Working Rub $15.00 |
|
|
Space Squad Sword Sabre Light Sound and Vibrating Action Kids NEW $12.99 |
|
|
Mickey Mouse Light Saber Sword Disneyland Resort Walt Disney World Souvenirs $12.00 |
|
|
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabers: An authorative history and visual directory of edged weapons from around the world, shown in over 800 stunning colour photographs $18.74 Features many fascinating weapons, including napeoleonic swords. cavalry sabres, american polearms, the rapier and the naval cutlass… |
|
|
The Illustrated Directory Swords & Sabres: A visual encyclopedia of edged weapons, including swords, sabres, pikes, polearms and lances, with over 550 photographs $10.35 A comprehensive guide to edged weapons, from early stone age flint hand axes to the swords of World War I… |
|
|
Sword: The Joining (Sword series) For 5,000 years the Aristocracy of Swords has been hidden from sight. Entire families dedicate themselves to holding back the darkness, so that others may live in the light. The families do battle for life and love, always hidden yet always there.Ron stumbles into this ancient secret when one day he finds himself in the midst of the struggle. Surviving his midterm exams were the extent of his comb… |
|
|
… |
|
|
Mace Windu Light Saber $5.75 36 inch flashlight with extending PURPLE plastic sword. Uses 2 AA batteries, not included…. |
|
|
Lightsaber Saber Blade Laser Sword Short 4 inch Aluminum Antenna in Blazing Red for VW Golf GTI Rabbit Passat E46 $18.95 High Quality Short replacement Antenna made of Aircraft Quality T-6061 CNC Billet Aluminum. Long-lasting Anodized Aluminum Finish that will withstand the harshest Weather Elements. Each Antenna comes with an Installation kit of 4 Different Size Studs and Extra Spacers to fit most vehicles…. |
|
|
Lightsaber Saber Blade Laser Sword Short 4 inch Aluminum Antenna in Blue for Lexus is250 is300 is350 is-f $18.95 High Quality Short replacement Antenna made of Aircraft Quality T-6061 CNC Billet Aluminum. Long-lasting Anodized Aluminum Finish that will withstand the harshest Weather Elements. Each Antenna comes with an Installation kit of 4 Different Size Studs and Extra Spacers to fit most vehicles…. |
|
|
Lightsaber Saber Blade Laser Sword Short 4 inch Aluminum Antenna in Violet Amethyst Purple for Mazda 3 5 6 Protege5 $18.95 High Quality Short replacement Antenna made of Aircraft Quality T-6061 CNC Billet Aluminum. Long-lasting Anodized Aluminum Finish that will withstand the harshest Weather Elements. Each Antenna comes with an Installation kit of 4 Different Size Studs and Extra Spacers to fit most vehicles…. |
|
|
Fate / Stay Night Anime Saber 12PCS Mini Sword keychain Set $27.95 Fate / Stay Night Anime Saber 12PCS Mini Sword keychain Set… |
|
|
Historical CSA Cavalry Saber Replica Sword $9.69 Budget minded reenactors take heed. Our Cav Saber has all the etches and features of blades 10 times the price. Outfit your entire company! 18″” overall. Tomahawk, XL1296… |