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Arch of Swords

posted 2 years ago in New York City
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BAnne August 7, 2010 New York City

Hello All,

I am new to this site and I am hoping someone here may be able to help me.

My fiance and I are scheduled to get married in August of 2010 in Long Island, NY. He is an active duty officer in the Navy and we would love to have the Arch of Swords as part of our day.

I believe that normally friends of the active duty usually participate in the wedding, however, the only people that would potentially be available will be deployed at the time of the wedding.

I have searched high and low, emailing sites, companies, etc. Does anyone know who I can contact or anyway to arrange to hire/volunteer to take part of the Arch of Swords for our wedding? We are willing to pay money or make donations or do whatever is necessary to make this happen.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

BAnne

2 years ago

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1,205 posts

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mdarrah 4/4/09 Los Angeles, CA

It is friends of the couple who form the arch. That being said military guys tend to be like college kids - free food and drink and they are THERE! Tell your fiance to start asking around of who will be there and if htey cant be there, do they know someone who would stand in for them.

If your fiance is military - he needs to start asking military friends. (You need at least 6). No one sets it up for you - its you (or him) asking military friends to attend the wedding in the dress uniform and creating the sword arch at your entrance/exit point of choice. Many choose to have it be as the bride and groom exit the church, but we chose to do it as our entrance to the reception. They should already know what to do - but will need time to practice ahead of time. Keep in mind that anyone flying in will have to check their sword separately from any bags (we contacted friends who were driving in and they borrowed enough from other friends that no one had to fly theirs in). The guys (and gals if there are any - im not excluding - i just feel like typing that everytime so I'll refer to them all as guys), will line up, enter, break out into two lines and form the arch. We had our entire bridal party enter through the arch, with us last. Traditionally, as the bride and groom approach - the nearest swords cross down in front of them and the bride and groom have to kiss to "unlock" the pass.... then the next set does it - etc. And then you "unlock" the last set and guy on the right swats you on the butt with his sword and calls out "Welcome to the Navy/Army/Coast Guard/Marines/Air Force etc!!" BTW - I am assuming he's an officer or NCO because enlisted don't have sword arches. I posted a couple photos here: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/military-brides-1 Let me know if you need more info or photos!

2 years ago