For Mother's of the Bride
This summer we were treated to a heartwarming Military – Wedding story by Nancy O’ Shea: Always Sisters – Forever Friends. No, this was not a Military Wedding. Nancy was the Mother of the Bride at the same time she became the proud Mother of a daughter leaving to serve our country overseas.
Click on the link above to experience the coming together of two sisters, a family and a wedding miles apart.
Guest post by Maureen Celli, founder of MogoTravel.
Each branch of the military has their own unique set of traditions for a military ceremony. What all the ceremonies have in common is a respect for the military traditions, an appreciation for the service that the military gives to our country and a pride in our armed forces.
The customs carried out by the military members of the bridal party create a unique and memorable ceremony.
My daughter’s wedding was a military wedding. My son-in-law was an active member of the Army anthe couple carried out several traditions of the military ceremony. They received guidance from the Army Chaplin. The chaplain educated the groom on the protocol, rehearsed with him and his grooms’ men, and provided the sabers used for the couple to walk under the arch of sabers.
The wedding ceremony does not need to be held on a military base or performed by a military official to be called a military wedding. My daughter’s wedding was held in a chapel in our town and was performed by a minister who was a friend of the groom’s.
The groom and the grooms’ men who were in the military wore their Army dress uniform. If the bride is in the military, she has the choice to wear her military dress uniform or a traditional wedding gown.
The arch of sabers is a symbolic wish offering the bride and groom safe passage into their newlywed life. Only commissioned officers may participate in the arch of swords. It place immediately after the official ceremony, as the couple leaves the chapel. It can take place inside the chapel or outside, depending on the weather. At my daughter’s wedding, the sword ceremony was held inside. After the minister’s blessing, the couple facing the guests stood while the sword bearers get into position. They proceed down the center aisle in pairs, and with the command “Center Face”; they stop and pivot to face each other. At the next command, the swords are raised in the right hand with the tips touching, the blade edge up and creating an arch. As the guest stand, the newlyweds start the recessional, passing beneath the arch. It is traditional, that as the couple pass through the arch, the last two men to make up the arch lower their swords in front of the couple, stopping them for a moment. The sword bearer on the right with his sword gives the bride a gentle “swat” on the rear and says “Welcome to the Army”.
As mother of the bride, this was all new to me. Fortunately, my son-in-law had done the research, rehearsal, and flew the sabers from Hawaii to Connecticut for the wedding.
It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful day and at the reception my son-in-law and other military danced away the night. However, despite the warmth of the July evening, they kept in full military dress out of respect for their country. It makes the parents of the bride very proud of their new son-in-law.
Maureen Celli has been in the travel business for over 15 years. She enjoys working with engaged couples and matching their interests with a special, memorable honeymoon. Maureen recently founded MoGoTravel where she specializes in custom honeymoons. Maureen can be reached at mogotravel@aol.com.
Guest post by Nancy O’Shea, MOB Squad contributor.
After a summer of steady 90+ degree days and the humidity New Jersey is known for, Karen and Ryan’s wedding day was a mild day in the mid 80’s with almost no humidity, and bright sunshine. It was an absolutely perfect day for a wedding on the dock at the Jersey Shore for this beautiful couple so much in love.
The planning was done and we were waiting for all of the pieces to fall into place. Final touches were being put on hair and make up, the bridesmaids were slipping into their cornflower blue dresses, flowers were being delivered, and the photographer and videographer were arriving. All of this activity was being shared by one of the bride’s three sisters via video chat. Katelyn, an MP in the US Army Reserve, had been deployed to Iraq just a week before and was unable to attend the wedding, traditionally at least.
We brought the computer into the kitchen while we were toasting the bride with mimosas, and while Kate couldn’t share the beverage, she shared the moment. While Karen’s two other sisters, Lauren and Megan were buttoning up her wedding gown, the computer was in the bedroom. When the photographer was taking photos on the front lawn, the laptop was brought outside. We were all so happy she was able to share in the day even though she was thousands and thousands of miles away.
Kate’s boyfriend of six years and Karen’s college friend, Tim, who had been transferred to London by his company, was flying in to attend the wedding. I had arranged with him to assist me with setting up the computer and video chat while we were at the wedding. As much as I wanted Kate to be part of the wedding, I was very aware that my responsibilities as mother of the bride were all important that day.
To enable us to make Kate a part of this wedding really required a team effort. I brought the computer and all of the other players stepped up. The venue hooked us up with electricity outside, since we knew the laptop would not last throughout the full ceremony. Tim connected with her and “kept her company” while all other arrangements were being taken care of (gives a whole new meaning to internet dating doesn’t it?). The videographer “miked” the computer so she could hear everything.
She was able to see and hear the entire ceremony, and you could see the tears in her eyes while her adored older sister and new “brother” exchanged vows. In fact the videographer put his earpiece on the computer so Kate was the only one in the entire audience who could hear what Karen and Ryan were saying to each other. The ceremony was one of the most beautiful I had ever experienced, setting was absolutely gorgeous and the theme of the couple holding hands throughout their lives was truly touching and inspirational. The processional and recessional music was played on keyboard and violin by the bride’s uncle/godfather and 14 year old cousin respectively, and three songs were sung by the groom’s uncle/godfather on acoustic guitar during the ceremony.
During the cocktail hour, Tim strategically placed Kate on the bar, with the help of the staff of the wedding venue. It was an absolutely perfect spot – everyone stood in front of the computer and talked to her – many were amazed that they could actually have a conversation with her 6500 miles away.
I again had to leave Tim to attend to my mother of the bride duties. The parents of the bride and groom, the bridal party and the bride and groom were introduced to the guests at the dinner/reception part of the evening. The bride and groom danced the traditional dances – their first dance together, then the bride danced with her father and the groom with his mother, and the Best Man and Matron of Honor offered their funny and touching toasts.
Karen had requested that Kate’s favorite song “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band be played in her honor and to honor all of the soldiers serving our country. DJ Joey Marino and videographer Chris Ingram were able to take it one step further. They were able to “mike” Katelyn so that she could offer a toast to her sister after which there was not a dry eye in the room, the guests, the vendors, and wait staff.
DJ Joey then asked everyone to get up on the dance floor and to honor Kate during her song. All 170+ guests got on the dance floor and danced to “Chicken Fried” while Katelyn danced in her Army barracks, 6,500 miles away, 3 am Iraqi time, while fellow soldiers slept in the room.
We were laughing and crying at the same time, dancing together; the love and closeness of these two sisters would not allow call of duty, thousands of miles, or a 7 hour difference in time zones keep them from sharing the most important day of Karen’s life.
A huge thank you goes to all who were involved in making this happen. It made what was already a special day even more memorable and eased this mother’s heart to know that one of her daughters did not have to miss her sister’s wedding day, and the other sister did not have to experience her wedding without her sister by her side. Here are the members of the team who will have my undying gratitude:
Karen & Ryan Puza, Manchester, CT
Tim Alexander, London, England
The Channel Club, Monmouth Beach, NJ; http://www.channelclubnj.com, especially Fred & Liz
Emily Schlipf and James Savas of Black Dog Photography, Hoboken, NJ http://www.bkdog.com
Christopher Ingram, New Legends Video; http://www.newlegendsvideo.com
DJ Joey Marino of NJ’s Best DJ’s: http://njsbestdjs.com
The perfect gift for a bride and her mother!
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Marisa Baratelli