Arch of Swords Needed for NYC Wedding (How To?)

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Arch of Swords Needed for NYC Wedding (How To?)

posted 2 years ago in Military
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Member

5 posts

Newbee

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 member of 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

14,581 posts

Honey
Beekeeper

ejs4y8 June 20, 2009

Hey lady! Amy Wife here =].

Check local ROTC or JROTC units.

Is your husband an officer? I'm not sure how Navy rules work but the swords only apply for Army officers in the Army. Not sure if anyone really follows that though. But that could be making it more difficult!

2 years ago

Bee

1,992 posts

Buzzing bee

ribbons June 12, 2010

I'm not military, but I did a quick search and this is what I found:

Contact your local recruiting center for the branch of the military that the couple are in. If you have a national guard base for that branch of the military in your city or a nearby one, contact them also. They will probably be the ones to do the arch.

2 years ago

Member

1,205 posts

Bumble bee

mdarrah 4/4/09 Los Angeles, CA

EJS - the army is the only service that allows enlisted to participate in sword arches - She'll need officers or NCOs. The recruiting centers can probably find people for you - but with no personal connection - you really want them at your wedding? (JUST MY OPINION!) I'd think you'd be better off with friends of friends if all your navy buds will be deployed. Also - keep in mind, mixing branches is normal. Got any Coastie or jarhead friends? Toss them in!

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

Member

123 posts

Blushing bee

prttypancake June 9, 2012 Long Island

@mdarrah, that was really helpful! thanks for the info.

My FI and I will be having the arch at our wedding. He is an officer in the CG and so much of our wedding and our lives together have been shaped by his Academy and military experiences. I couldn't imagine not having it.

2 years ago

Member

2,937 posts

Sugar bee

ellabee July 3, 2011 Virginia

@mdarrah:Actually in the marine corps, NCOs carry a sword, too. Due to unforseen circumstances we were unable to have a sword arch, but my husband (an enlisted marine) has a ceremonial sword with his dress blues.

I believe NCO is E3 and up, but I may be wrong.

10 months ago

Member

676 posts

Busy bee

jindc March 20, 2011 DC

@ellabee: E4 (corporal) is an NCO.

10 months ago