What special arrangements are made in terms of the ceremony and floral decorations during a military wedding?
Military weddings are all formal, with military personnel in dress uniform and commanding officers seated according to rank at both the ceremony and reception. Traditionally, officers are seated directly behind the families at the ceremonies and a special place should be reserved for the commanding officer. What most guests at a military wedding recall are the “crossed sabers,” also known as the “arch of sabers,” or the “arch of steel. Traditionally the bride and groom walk through the arch of swords; a passage meant to ensure the couple’s safe transition into their new life together. The arch of swords is an elegant touch to the ceremony as the honor guard forms two lines opposite each other. On the command of “draw sword” or “draw sabers,” the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then passes through. The newly married couple then salutes the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers
