Military Weddings

Posted by: Stephanie Smith
CLM Weddings-Lead Coordinator

It's a feeling I repetitively get after a wedding has just ended...I feel ecstatic and pleased knowing that it was another succesful evening. Everything went off great...everyone was on time, the food was fantastic, the DJ got the party going and best of all the bride and groom just had the best day of thier lives. But as the year or more of planning comes down to a screecing hault, the thing I crave most is to see the photos that make the day come to life. It is without hesitation that our photographers come through and demonstrate how talented they are time and time again when I recieve the teaser photos of our incredible couples. This morning I received the photos for The Wedding of Johnnie and Angela from December 13, 2008. An amazing photographer, Chelsea-Nicole created a beautiful slideshow to highlight just a few of the wonderful moments from the evening including the traditional Saber Arch. I was inspired by this photo as it brought such a unique and special element to an already special couple and family.

Johnnie, who is a proud member of the Air Force wanted to incorporate military into the ceremony beyond his uniform. What better way to do it, than a traditional Saber Arch. Not only does this incredible element demonstrate honor for those who serve, but also adds an unforgettable effect to the ceremony and of course a bit of fun as the bride, Angela gets a "swat" from the last swordsman as she is accepted into the military family. As seen in the article below from Wedalert.com this tradition holds a special place in any military wedding ceremony. Congatulations to Angela and Johnnie Green!

Military weddings are a privilege of those in the armed forces or cadets. All are formal, with military personnel in dress uniform and commanding officers seated according to rank. What most guests at a military wedding are most likely to remember is the "crossed sabers," also known as the "arch of sabers," or the "arch of steel. The word steel, is synonymous for and used to represent either sabers for Navy or swords for Army, Air Force and Marines. Traditionally the bride and groom walk through the arch of swords. That passage is meant to ensure the couple's safe transition into their new life together. The arch of swords is formed by an honor guard made up of members of the military who would normally wear a sword or saber when in dress uniform. Should one of the honor guard also be serving as a wedding attendant, in order to conform to tradition, he or she must be in full uniform.
That includes wearing a sword or saber while in the wedding party. No one out of full dress uniform may, when conforming to military procedure, carry a sword or saber. The commanding officer should serve as a resource for the prospective bride and groom for information about who can and who cannot wear a uniform with a sword. The arch of swords procedure is a simple and elegant one. The honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword" or "draw sabers," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then passes through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers and return them to a carry position.
Depending on church rules and on the particular branch of service, the arch can be formed either outside or in the foyer of the chapel, synagogue or church. Yet another tradition relating to the arch of steel is a gentle "swat to the backside" that the bride receives from the last swordsman. Grooms take heed. Should you decide to adhere to this custom, it would be prudent to inform your bride about the possibility so that she isn't unpleasantly surprised. In addition, it is also traditional for the wedding cake to be cut with a saber or other type of military sword. Although the ushers usually act as sword bearers, other officers may be designated as sword bearers--which would accelerate the arch of swords ceremony following the wedding ceremony. It is customary that six or eight ushers (or designated sword bearers) take part in the ceremony. Although the chaplain's office will furnish swords (sabers for the ceremony, it is customary, such as at West Point, for the cadets to furnish their own white belts, gloves, and breastplates.
If the ushers have removed their swords, they now hook them on. In an outdoor ceremony, they proceed down the steps of the chapel where they form, facing each other in equal numbers. In the NAVAL SERVICES, the head usher gives the command, "Officers, draw swords," which is done in one continuous motion, tips touching. The bride and groom pass under the arch--and only they may do so-- then they pause for a moment. The head usher gives the command, "Officers, Return (swords brought to the position of "resent arms" swords." Swords are returned to the scabbard for all but about three or four inches of their length. The final inches of travel are completed in unison, the swords returning home with a single click. When the arch of swords ceremony is held indoors, it takes place just as the couple rises after receiving the blessing. All members of the bridal party wait until the ushers swords are returned to their scabbards before the recessional proceeds.
In the Army and Air Force, the Arch of Sabers is carried out in this way: when the bride and groom rise from their kneeling position after the benediction, the senior saber bearer gives the command, "Center Face". This command moves the saber bearers into position facing each other. The next command is "Arch Sabers," wherein each saber bearer raises his right arm with the saber, rotating it in a clockwise direction, so that the cutting edge of the saber will be on top, thus forming a true arch with this opposite across the aisle. After the bride and groom pass under the arched sabers, the command is, "Carry Sabers" followed almost immediately by "rear face," with the saber bearers facing away from the altar, thus enabling them to march down the side aisle. They form again with arched sabers on the steps of the chapel. The information in this article was taken in large measure from the book with the answers to all of your questions on military weddings: "Service Etiquette" by Oretha D. Swartz.
By Judy LewisHudsonValleyWeddings.com