Arch of Swords/Sabers - Arch of Rifles
Jul 17, 2006 13:25:37 GMT -6
Post by Moderator on Jul 17, 2006 13:25:37 GMT -6
Military Wedding Ceremony Honors
Honoring the bride following the religious rite is a traditional ceremony in which the bride and groom pass through an arch formed by swords or rifles. Officers and NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) traditionally form the arch with swords. Enlisted personnel traditionally form the arch with rifles. Military personnel who do not bear arms can use hand salutes.
Officers and enlisted personnel in the bridal party wear uniforms in accordance with the formality of the wedding and seasonal regulations. For officers, evening dress uniform conforms to civilian white tie and tails. Dinner or mess dress uniform is in accordance with black tie. In the case of non-commissioned officers, dress blues or Army green uniforms may be worn at formal or informal weddings. A female officer may wear a traditional bridal gown, or she may be married in uniform. A boutonniere is never worn with uniform. White gloves are a necessity for all saber (sword) bearers. The choice to attend the wedding in uniform as a military guest is optional.
The tradition of the wedding arch of swords or honors differs slightly among the branches of the Armed Forces. In all cases, to have an arch of swords or honors is the choice of the bride and groom. It is an obligation of the best man or the groom to select those who will take part in this presentation, as well as to confirm that all weapons are at the ceremony. The senior usher is responsible for making certain that the ushers are adequately rehearsed in their roles in the honors ceremony as well as the religious rite. No one may carry a sword or saber unless attired in full dress uniform.
After the religious rite, the senior usher forms all the ushers in two columns, and positions them just outside the church or chapel. As the newly married couple exits the church, the senior usher announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, [rank or rate] and Mrs. John Doe". Variations of this may be required if the bride, or both bride and groom, are military.
The senior usher commands, "Draw swords". On command, all ushers carry out only the first count of the movement, leaving their swords raised, with tips touching and blades facing away from the couple, to form an arch under which the couple passes.
As the couple passes through the arch of swords, the last two sword bearers lower their swords in front of the couple, detaining them momentarily. The sword bearer on the right gives the bride a gentle "swat" on the backside with his sword and says, "Welcome to the Navy", or the appropriate branch of service. This step is omitted if the bride is in the military.
After the newlyweds have passed, the senior usher commands, "Return swords". All ushers return their swords into the scabbards in unison, pausing with 4 inches of the top of the blade remaining. When all swords have reached that position, they are thrust the remaining 4 inches in unison, causing a distinctive "click". The senior usher then dismisses the ushers.
All members of the bridal party wait until the ushers swords are returned to their scabbards before the recessional proceeds. Only the bride and groom pass under the Arch of Swords. 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 likely furnish swords (sabers) for the ceremony, it is customary for personnel to furnish their own white gloves.
Honoring the bride following the religious rite is a traditional ceremony in which the bride and groom pass through an arch formed by swords or rifles. Officers and NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) traditionally form the arch with swords. Enlisted personnel traditionally form the arch with rifles. Military personnel who do not bear arms can use hand salutes.
Officers and enlisted personnel in the bridal party wear uniforms in accordance with the formality of the wedding and seasonal regulations. For officers, evening dress uniform conforms to civilian white tie and tails. Dinner or mess dress uniform is in accordance with black tie. In the case of non-commissioned officers, dress blues or Army green uniforms may be worn at formal or informal weddings. A female officer may wear a traditional bridal gown, or she may be married in uniform. A boutonniere is never worn with uniform. White gloves are a necessity for all saber (sword) bearers. The choice to attend the wedding in uniform as a military guest is optional.
The tradition of the wedding arch of swords or honors differs slightly among the branches of the Armed Forces. In all cases, to have an arch of swords or honors is the choice of the bride and groom. It is an obligation of the best man or the groom to select those who will take part in this presentation, as well as to confirm that all weapons are at the ceremony. The senior usher is responsible for making certain that the ushers are adequately rehearsed in their roles in the honors ceremony as well as the religious rite. No one may carry a sword or saber unless attired in full dress uniform.
After the religious rite, the senior usher forms all the ushers in two columns, and positions them just outside the church or chapel. As the newly married couple exits the church, the senior usher announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, [rank or rate] and Mrs. John Doe". Variations of this may be required if the bride, or both bride and groom, are military.
The senior usher commands, "Draw swords". On command, all ushers carry out only the first count of the movement, leaving their swords raised, with tips touching and blades facing away from the couple, to form an arch under which the couple passes.
As the couple passes through the arch of swords, the last two sword bearers lower their swords in front of the couple, detaining them momentarily. The sword bearer on the right gives the bride a gentle "swat" on the backside with his sword and says, "Welcome to the Navy", or the appropriate branch of service. This step is omitted if the bride is in the military.
After the newlyweds have passed, the senior usher commands, "Return swords". All ushers return their swords into the scabbards in unison, pausing with 4 inches of the top of the blade remaining. When all swords have reached that position, they are thrust the remaining 4 inches in unison, causing a distinctive "click". The senior usher then dismisses the ushers.
All members of the bridal party wait until the ushers swords are returned to their scabbards before the recessional proceeds. Only the bride and groom pass under the Arch of Swords. 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 likely furnish swords (sabers) for the ceremony, it is customary for personnel to furnish their own white gloves.