How Do You Form An Arch Of Sabers?
At a military wedding, the ushers form an arch of sabers (curved swords with only one edge) for the bride and groom to walk under at the end of the ceremony. Check with a chapel or honor guard on base to ask if they have any sabers you can use. If not, ask a local ROTC unit. Expect the officers who hold the sabers to be in full dress uniform. Be sure that the arch is formed outside of the church or chapel, since sabers should not be unsheathed inside a religious building. Ask only commissioned officers to participate in this ceremony. They are the only ones allowed to carry sabers. You will need 6 to 8 officers. Ask other officers who are attending as guests to help, if you do not have enough military groomsmen to form the arch. Designate the head usher to take the lead. He will call “Center Face” to get the officers to form two lines facing each other. Then he will command “Arch Sabers,” signaling the ushers to lift their sabers with the cutting edge up, to form the arch. Ask the offi
