Military Weddings: Can Officers Solemnize Nuptials?

Military weddings are steeped in tradition and are a beautiful way to honour both a couple's marriage and their military service. Military weddings do not need to take place on a military base and military chaplains can officiate over a ceremony outside of a base chapel. However, if you are interested in a chapel specifically tied to a branch, you may have to meet certain requirements.

The most common officiant for a military wedding day is a chaplain, who can preside over off-base weddings. Military chaplains do not charge a fee for officiating, but a small donation to the chapel where they're based is an acceptable way to show your appreciation.

If you're unsure of the rules associated with using those venues, reach out to your base's protocol office and/or the chaplain for advice.

Military wedding attire: Military brides and grooms have the option to wear their uniforms, but civilians can wear suits or other formal attire

Military weddings are not vastly different from civilian weddings. The main distinction is that the bride and/or groom, as well as service members in the wedding party, usually wear their uniforms. The type of uniform depends on the style of the wedding, the time of day, the season, and the government-issued uniform manual.

Mess Dress Uniform

Mess dress uniforms are worn for both ultra-formal and formal weddings (i.e. a white or black-tie affair). For most branches, this means a dark-blue uniform, but during the summer months, army and navy men may wear white pants.

Class-A or Service Dress Uniform

The Class-A or Service dress uniform is appropriate for a semi-formal event (comparable to a suit). Like the Mess dress uniforms, these are also dark blue and sometimes with white pants.

Military brides

The bride and bridesmaids can wear their uniforms (if applicable), but many military brides opt for a traditional white wedding gown. Bridesmaids might wear navy bridesmaids' gowns to complement the colours of the men's uniforms, or any other colour dress the bride prefers.

Groomsmen

If any of the groomsmen are members of a different service than the groom (e.g. Army instead of Navy), they simply wear a uniform of comparable formality to the groom's. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings, but the other ushers wear white gloves throughout the ceremony.

Fathers and mothers of the bride or groom

Should the fathers of the bride or groom be active or retired officers, they may wear uniforms. Mothers, too, may wear uniforms, although they usually choose to wear traditional mother-of-the-bride attire.

Non-military wedding-party members

Any non-military wedding-party members simply wear traditional wedding clothes of the same level of formality as those in uniform.

Military guests

Military guests (active or retired) may wear their uniforms or traditional formal attire. For a black- or white-tie affair, put "Mess dress uniform invited" on the invites to request that your guests come in uniform. For a semi-formal wedding put either "Class A uniform invited" or "Service dress uniform invited".

Military wedding traditions: Military weddings are steeped in tradition, including the Arch of Sabers/Swords, flag displays, and cake-cutting with a sword

Military weddings are steeped in tradition, with unique customs and rituals that set them apart from civilian weddings. Here are some of the most common military wedding traditions:

The Arch of Sabers/Swords

The Arch of Sabers or Swords is one of the most well-known and unique military wedding traditions. It symbolises the military's pledge to honour and protect the newly married couple. This tradition originates from British military custom. Typically, six to eight service members line up in pairs, forming a tunnel by crossing their unsheathed swords or sabers. The married couple then exits the ceremony venue through this sword tunnel, being ushered into married life under the symbolic shelter of the military. In some variations, the last two sword bearers may lower their swords to detain the couple momentarily, and the sword bearer on the right may gently "swat" the bride on the rump and utter a welcome greeting to the appropriate military branch. This step is omitted if the bride is in the military. The Arch of Sabers/Swords is performed by commissioned servicemen and servicewomen and is typically done outside of the ceremony venue, especially if the ceremony is held in a house of worship.

Flag Displays

At the wedding ceremony, it is customary to display the American flag, along with the flag(s) of the marrying couple's military unit(s). These flags are often displayed on either side of the altar, with the American flag on the left and the unit flag(s) on the right. The display of flags is a patriotic element that distinguishes military weddings.

Cake-Cutting With a Sword

If one of the spouses is a military officer, it is a tradition to use a ceremonial sword or saber to cut the wedding cake. The military spouse presents the sword to their partner, and together, they place their hands on the sword and cut the first slice of the cake. This tradition adds a unique touch to the wedding reception and symbolises the couple's unity and military affiliation.

Military weddings often include other traditions, such as specific dress codes, seating arrangements according to rank, and patriotic music choices. These weddings are known for their pomp and circumstance, pageantry, and patriotism, creating a memorable and meaningful celebration for the couple and their guests.

Military wedding venues: Military weddings can take place anywhere, but couples may choose to wed at a military academy chapel or host their reception on a military base

Military weddings can take place anywhere, but couples may choose to wed at a military academy chapel or host their reception on a military base.

Military Wedding Venues

A military wedding is a beautiful way to honour a couple's marriage and their military service to their country. Military weddings are steeped in tradition and are often a way to honour a couple's lineage and history of serving their country. Military weddings can take place anywhere, but many couples choose to tie the knot at a military academy chapel or host their reception on a military base.

If you're interested in a chapel specifically tied to a branch, you may have to meet certain requirements. For example, to marry at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, at least one member of the couple must be a graduate, a staff member, or an active-duty military member assigned to the geographic area.

Military Base Weddings

If you're unsure of the rules associated with using a military base as your wedding venue, reach out to your base's protocol office and/or the chaplain for advice.

Base chapels are often in high demand, especially during the time right after graduation and commissioning, so reservations may be required very far in advance. Base chapels are often gorgeous and free, and they will allow you to use any registered officiant you like. O Clubs and Enlisted Lounges are also free or very inexpensive, although they often require you to use their caterers.

That being said, there is a bit of red tape to cut through when it comes to military base weddings. You'll need to submit a guest list about a week in advance with the exact names of everyone who will be attending, and you'll have to send out an ugly orange parking permit with your invitations. It's also smart to arrive early, as it will take some extra time to get through the security gate with a military ID.

Military wedding officiants: Military chaplains are a common choice of officiant, but they can also officiate weddings off-base

Military weddings are steeped in tradition and are a beautiful way to honour both a couple's marriage and their military service to the United States. Military chaplains are the most common officiants at military weddings. They are able to preside over off-base weddings, so they are a great option even if you aren't tying the knot at a military venue. Chaplains don't charge a fee for officiating, but a small donation to the chapel where they're based is an acceptable way to show your appreciation.

If you are interested in a chapel specifically tied to a branch, know that you might have to meet certain requirements. The Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, for example, is a particularly iconic setting for a Navy wedding, but in order to marry there, at least one member of the couple must be a graduate, a staff member, or an active-duty military member assigned to the geographic area.

If you're hosting your ceremony at a base chapel, speak with the chaplain ahead of time about flower arrangements and music selections, as you'll need to get their permission for altar arrangements and any non-traditional music choices. Some base chapels require reservations very far in advance, especially during the time right after graduation and commissioning.

Military wedding invitations: Military titles should never be abbreviated when addressing invitations, and seating arrangements should acknowledge and honor military rank

Military titles should never be abbreviated when addressing wedding invitations. For example, if a commissioned officer is a captain or higher, their title should appear before their name, not after. Similarly, in the Navy, the rule is if they're above lieutenant senior grade or higher.

When it comes to seating arrangements, it's important to acknowledge and honour military rank. Military members of higher rank (captains, admirals, generals, etc.) will be given seats of honour just behind the immediate family members of the marrying couple. It is customary to seat commanding officers and spouses towards the front, and military guests should also be seated according to rank.

Frequently asked questions