How to Begin Planning a Military Wedding

Are you or your spouse in the armed services? Why not plan a military wedding for your special day? A military wedding can be just as beautiful as a standard traditional ceremony and even more special as you show your patriotic stripes on your special day. By following these easy directions, you can begin planning a military wedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Military dress for the men
• Wedding dress
• Chapel
• Sabers and swords accordingly
• Flags
• Chaplain
• Wedding invitations
• Decorations

1. Decide on a location. Sites to consider are military academies and military chapels, or you may want to have the wedding in your own family church. Location can make all the difference so consider your options and what is available to you.
2. Arrange to meet with your priest or chaplain to discuss the wedding and if you will require any premarital counseling. Many faiths require a certain amount of counseling before they agree to marry you.
3. Find out what is allowed in the chapel of your choosing. Decoration allotments differ from site to site. Will you want the American flag displayed as well as flowers? If so, you may want to consider a red, white, and blue theme for your decorations.
4. Locate the reception site for your wedding. A good rule of thumb is to try and make the site close to the wedding site. If you are getting married on a military base, find out if there is an officer’s club or restaurant available for rental near your chapel.
5. Remember, dress is formal for the occasion. Include that in your invitations and be sure to state that military dress is appropriate.
6. Decide what style of uniform the groom’s party will be wearing. The traditional dress is white in summer, blue in winter. Have the men wear their medals instead of boutonnieres and white dress gloves. Military weddings are one of the few occasions where it is acceptable for the wedding party to go armed. Swords for the Navy or Coast Guard and sabers for Army or Marine Corps are the norm. There is nothing quite like walking under an arbor of blades to make a wedding impressive.
7. Secure your site at least one year in advance. Many military sites fill up quickly and you don’t want to miss out on the perfect venue.

Tips & Warnings

• Seat military guests at the reception according to rank and title. This is a nice touch and shows great respect.
• Remember, you can go overboard with the patriotic decorations. Try to keep it simple, neat, and attractive. In short, keep it military.
• Investigate cake decorations of a military nature. Many wedding cake specialists will have a variety of cake toppers to choose from.
• Remember to go through the proper military channels and verify your plans with the local military authorities.
• Check to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the wedding, don’t assume that the military base will have swords to lend. Always verify your supplies.