The Arch of Sabers or Swords is an old tradition, the passage through the Arch symbolizes the welcoming and safe transition into the couples new life together.

For the most part the Arch of Sabers or Swords is similar with each Branch of Service.  The Arch is preformed by Uniformed Military personnel, which will normally be your ushers (except the Air Force - please read below).  The Arch takes place immediately following the ceremony, when the couple leaves the Chapel.  In some instances the Arch can be preformed inside the Chapel, due to bad weather or a request to have two Arch of Sabers.  This must be discussed with your Chaplain and approved before the ceremony.

The Arch of Sabers or Swords can be performed by Officers from a near by Military Academy, the National Guard, you or your fiancés peers and your chosen ushers if in the Military Service and Officers.  You can check with you or your fiancés Commander to arrange for this service.

Below you will find each Branch and its regulations on the use of The Arch of Sabers or Swords.  Within the next week we will be adding individual pages for each Branch of Service, after we have conducted our interviews with the Commanders and Chaplains.  With the changing face of the Military we are finding some Branches to be more lenient of its regulations.  We want to keep everyone up to date and feel the most reliable source is to speak directly to those in charge.  If you have any questions or need clarification right away please contact us and we will do everything we can to assist.  Thank you.

Air Force and Army- Saber

The ceremony is customarily done with six ushers or saber bearers and must be uniformed Officers.

The ceremony takes place as follows;

Form two lines.  The person positioned as the last person in the left line is generally the person that will give the commands and introduce the bride and groom.  The person positioned as the first person in the right line is the one who will welcome the bride to the Army or Air Force.

Commands are as follows;

Carry Sabers - to be done at the shoulder.

Forward March - the service members will now position themselves outside the chapel (if stairs are present starting at the top, at every other step).

Halt Center Face - turn and face the center.

The bride will be escorted by the groom on his right, when they approach the first step or uniformed member they will stop.  The person positioned in the top left will introduce the bride and groom then give the following commands;

Present Sabers - bring saber to chin.

Arch Sabers - they will fully extend their right arm, rotating the wrist in a counter clockwise direction turning the cutting edge of the saber up.

The only persons that will walk under the Arch will be the bride and groom.  After the bride and groom pass through the Arch they will pause under the last saber.  The saber bearers on the end will now close sabers by bringing them down to cross at the waist level of the bride and groom.  The saber bearer at the bottom right will then give a gentle "swat" to the brides behind and say "Welcome to the (Army or Air Force) Mrs.__".  This step is omitted if the bride is in the Military.

Ending Commands are;

Present Sabers - to the chin.

Order Sabers - Saber blade down at the right toe.

Carry Sabers - at the shoulder.

Left and Right Face - facing command.

Forward March - movement command.

*Noted difference for the Air Force - In the Air Force the saber bearers can not perform the function of an usher, as they are able in the other branches of service. 

Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy - Sword

The ceremony is virtually the same except for the commands. 

The ceremony takes place as follows;

Form two lines.  The person positioned as the last person in the left line which is also the head usher is generally the person that will give the commands and introduce the bride and groom.  The person positioned as the first person in the right line is the one who will welcome the bride to the Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy.

Commands are as follows;

Officers Draw Swords - done in a continuous motion, tips touching.

The bride and groom will then pass through the Arch and pause for a moment for the welcoming.

Officers Return - swords then brought to the position of present arms.  The sword is returned to the scabbard all but about three inches.  The final return to the scabbard is done in unison, returning home in a single click.

West Point Ceremony Information coming soon...

What if my fiancés ushers are from different branches of service?  If any of the wedding party is from a different branch of service he would then wear his branch choice of uniform for the specific occasion (i.e. formal or informal uniform).  It is authorized for all branches to be combined within a wedding ceremony.

Can we have two Arch of Sabers?  In most cases yes, but you will have to arrange this with the Chaplain (if you are going to request the Arch inside the Chapel) as well as arranging it with the saber bearers.

Where can we get the Sabers or Swords?  Check with Chaplain first, many of them have enough on hand for this occasion.   You or your fiancés Commander may also be able to assist.  You can contact the nearest Military Academy, the Civil Air Patrol, the National Guard, Color Guard or a Military Museum.  If the Saber or Sword can not be obtained you can substitute them with the Rifle.

Can the Arch be performed in the Chapel?  Since the Chapel or Church is a sanctuary you will need the permission of the Chaplain before doing so.  In most cases during bad weather they will allow this within the vestibule.

Using the Saber or Sword to cut the cake.  It is tradition for the bride to use the grooms Saber to cut the first piece of cake.  The groom would hand his unsheathed saber to the bride and place his hands over hers then cut their first piece of cake.  At no time can the saber or sword be decorated (as a civilian cake cutting knife is).

Does the swat on the brides rear have to take place?  For the sake of etiquette and tradition this should take place.  After walking under the Arch of Sabers the bride and groom will pause as the last two men lower their sabers in front of the bride and groom.  The bride and groom may kiss while they pause then the saber bearer on the right, with his saber will give a "gentle" swat on brides rear and says "Welcome to the Army" (or the appropriate branch of service).  This step will not take place if the bride is in the Military herself.  The groom however should warn the bride of this formality and request that the swat be done very lightly.  There should not be any offense taken to this, as it is a way for the Military to welcome you into your new life.

What is the difference between the Saber or Sword?  The Air Force and the Army use Sabers, the Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy use Swords. 

Great resource for all Military Etiquette.  From entertaining, formal ceremonies, promotions, table manners and more.  Covers all Branches from enlisted to Officers.  We give it 5 stars!

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