Weddings combine tradition, celebration and love in a way that no other event can. From exchanging vows and cutting the cake, to throwing the bouquet and wearing something blue, weddings feature rituals that add meaning and fun to an already special day.

Military weddings take the tradition to another level, with added customs and guidelines that are only suitable for a couple in which at least one of the partners is in the military. Here are some things you’ll need to know: 

1.  One of the first differences you’ll note at a military wedding is the attire, as it is appropriate for service men and women to wear military uniforms as both a member of the bridal party and a member of the audience. You’ll also see that military personnel may have medals and ribbons on their uniforms, and they may be wearing white gloves, depending on the branch they served in.
2. Seating arrangements can also be different at a military wedding, as rank is often taken into consideration, in addition to the relationship to the soon-to-be-wed couple.
3. Lastly, rituals such as the Arch of Swords, in which the newly married couple walks under an arch of swords held by military personnel as they exit the ceremony, are featured prominently.

Perhaps the most notable difference between a military and a non-military wedding is the timing. Military weddings often tend to be trickier to time properly, as deployments could come at any moment.