| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Army. Swords are used for Coast Guard, Marine |
| The day has finally arrived. After all these years | | | | Corps and the Navy. National Guard and Reserve go |
| waiting for the right one, you finally find that special | | | | by the same etiquette and regulations of their |
| someone. Soon a marriage proposal comes your | | | | service branch (i.e. Army National Guard, Air National |
| way, one that will surely change life forever. You | | | | Guard, Naval Reserve, etc). Also, the majority of |
| finally get the opportunity to plan the wedding | | | | military personnel do not own a Sword or Saber. |
| you’ve dreamed about since childhood. All the | | | | However, they can contact the Chaplain, normally he |
| plans begin falling in place, when suddenly things | | | | she will have these for this use or his/her |
| change dramatically. Your soon-to-be spouse learns | | | | Commander will. There are also so many other terms |
| that they are being deployed oversees. All the hopes | | | | you want to become familiar with to be |
| and dreams for happiness appear lost, at least for | | | | knowledgeable. |
| the moment. You still long to get married, but there | | | | #3 - Question often asked -- Can the bride’s |
| is so much to do, and so many unique circumstances | | | | swat with the sword be omitted from the |
| that other couples don’t face. From finding a | | | | ceremony? Answer — For traditions sake, it is |
| chaplain to the financial costs of planning a rush | | | | better left in the ceremony. When the Arch has been |
| wedding, the task can seem daunting. | | | | formed, the bride and groom will then pass through |
| There are others too who have lived the military life | | | | the Arch of Saber or Swords (this symbolizes the |
| from day one and are now proud to be a part of it | | | | welcome and safe transition into a new life together |
| themselves having enlisted. Having grown up with | | | | as a couple). The couple pauses as the last two men |
| parents in the military, changing from base to base, | | | | lower their sabers or swords in front of the bride and |
| and city to city, the couple longs for a military | | | | groom and then at that time the man to the right will |
| wedding that brings with it the traditions and pride | | | | then lightly swat the bride of on the rear and |
| lived their entire life. Yet, as everyone in the military | | | | say Welcome to the Army, or the appropriate |
| knows, there are many tried and trued rules and | | | | branch of service. This step should only be omitted if |
| regulations on doing things right. Planning a wedding | | | | the bride is the service member. |
| and making sure to stay within all the guidelines can | | | | #4 — It’s important to know the |
| be overwhelming. The bride needs answers on how | | | | proper seating arrangements for guests and also |
| to do it and these answers aren’t found in | | | | where the bride and groom should stand, including |
| the pages of the numerous bridal magazines or bridal | | | | who stands on which side. The standing arrangement |
| books out there. But hope is not lost. | | | | is determined by whether the service member being |
| As everyone knows, there are vast differences from | | | | an officer or being enlisted. A guest list will have |
| a civilian wedding and a military wedding. The | | | | Commanders, other Officers within the unit, and |
| ceremony may be held at the base/post chapel. The | | | | peers. It’s important to know the proper |
| officiant would be a military chaplain. The Arch of | | | | seating for guests and also for the receiving line. All |
| Sabers or Swords (dependent on the branch of | | | | persons that are associated with a service member |
| service) is used. And special attention needs to be | | | | (i.e. their Commanders, Officers and peers within the |
| placed on the formalities of the invitations and | | | | unit or office) should be invited to the wedding. |
| seating arrangements. | | | | When seating the groom or bride’s |
| To help plan a military wedding, here are some tips: | | | | Commander and his/her spouse, they are to be |
| #1 - Buy Wedding Insurance. Even if the couple does | | | | seated with the family of the bride or groom, |
| not choose to have the traditional Military Wedding, | | | | whichever group they represent. Commanders are |
| insurance (unless they are having a quick small civil | | | | usually seated in the front row when the bride or |
| ceremony at the courthouse) will save headaches | | | | groom’s parents cannot be in attendance. All |
| and cover the loss of deposits or money due to | | | | other higher-ranking Officers are to be seated |
| changes or cancellations. When marrying into the | | | | directly behind the family of either the bride or |
| military, the never-ending changes of deployment | | | | groom. |
| dates — quick deployments, delayed | | | | Sounds overwhelming doesn’t it? Well now |
| deployments, and extended deployments are | | | | with the help of an innovative website, Military |
| common. It’s best to plan ahead and be safe. | | | | Weddings at you can get all the answers you need. is |
| Take this example: The date has been set for a year | | | | a complete wedding planning site solely for the |
| out. The deposits have been paid and invitations | | | | Military community. It provides everything to plan a |
| prepared. Then a set of orders arrives for the bride | | | | Military wedding from engagement to honeymoon |
| or groom that reads, Report to your duty station | | | | including who to contact in the Military installation; |
| 19 May 2007. Unfortunately, the wedding date has | | | | protocol and etiquette in seating arrangements; |
| been set for 25 May 2007. You now have to | | | | writing announcements; sending out invitations (the |
| change everything and re-order invitations. Unless | | | | correct way of addressing an envelope to |
| working with very military friendly vendors, there is a | | | | commanding officer); the ceremony itself; Military |
| real risk of losing deposits. Insurance is a way to | | | | chaplain services and whether to use the base or |
| safeguard against this. | | | | post chapel. Plus, a complete shopping center for |
| # 2 - Learn the language. For a new bride that is | | | | your entire wedding needs including stationery, gifts, |
| marrying into the service, there is a whole new set | | | | bride and groom basics, and everything needed for |
| of lingo to learn. Among the most common would be | | | | that special day. |
| the formalities of the Arch-is it Swords or Sabers? | | | | Planning your wedding can be fun and exciting with |
| The answer - Sabers are used for Air Force and | | | | the right tools. |