How to Plan a Wedding With an Army Man
An Army wedding has a long line of traditions dating all the way back to Britain. Such a wedding is an exceptional way to honor an Army man and show support for his profession. When planning a wedding with an Army man, keep in mind the following protocols to ensure all guests, civilian and military, feel comfortable, honored and welcome.
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Instructions
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Dress in appropriate attire. For a formal wedding, the groom and any serviceman in the wedding party are expected to wear their mess dress, complete with swords for those participating in the arch of swords at the end of the wedding. For a casual wedding, the groom and any serviceman in the wedding party can wear their "Class-A" uniform. The groom and best man do not wear gloves to ensure they do not drop the ring.
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Decide whether it is the desire of the groom and/or bride to have an arch of swords at the wedding. If so, inform the best man and confirm whether or not the chapel site has swords that can be used.
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Book the military chapel at least a year in advance, especially if planning a spring or summer wedding. There is never a fee for using the chapel, but donations are customary.
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Arrange for the military chaplin to preform the ceremony. Typically, a few pre-marital counseling sessions are required. If there is a civilian minister who is preferred, inform the chaplain that there will be a co-officiant. There is never a fee for the military chaplain as he is paid for his service by the military.
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Prepare the invitations, making sure to formally invite the chaplain and their spouse, the Army man's commanding officer and their spouse, and some or all of the staff officers and their spouses.
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Book the Officers or Enlistment Club at least a year in a advance for the reception site. At the reception, military guests are seated by order of their rank. Regimental music and American flags are time-honored traditions at an Army reception. The most famous tradition associated with an Army wedding is the cutting of the cake with the groom's sword. For this tradition, the groom hands his bride the sword and she cuts the cake with his hand on top guiding hers.
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