What is the Arch of Swords (or Sabres)?
This is without a doubt one of the highlights of a military wedding. At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, an honor guard of six or eight officers will assemble outside of the church or venue. On command, they raise their swords to form an arch, and the newlyweds walk under it together. When they arrive at the end of the arch, the last pair of sword bearers will drop their weapons to briefly block their progress; the bride and groom have to exchange a kiss before being released, at which point the man next to the bride will gently swat her on the tush with his sword and say, “Welcome to the Army, M’am”. The couple then finishes their walk, the swords are withdrawn, and the head usher announces the newlyweds to the guests.
