From creating your guest list to picking out the perfect centerpiece, planning a wedding is hard but planning a military wedding may be even more work. Keeping in mind the rules, regulations, and respect that come with planning a military wedding may have you wanting to go to the courtroom instead, but don’t lose your hair just yet, as we’ll break down how to properly plan a military wedding without breaking a nail!

The military chapel or the Lesner Inn? Both are amazing options but if you decide to go with the chapel, make sure to talk with your Chaplain about the logistics! If you fall in love with Lesner Inn and decide to have your wedding at a wedding venue, you get to work through the details with your fiancé. Check out some as you keep reading!

_{Right: Ryann Winn Photography}

After you’ve chosen the venue and created the guest list, you can send out save the dates. Remember to address the guests with their proper rank. There should never be a Mr. or Mrs. in front of a General, Lieutenant. Sergeant. etc. unless told otherwise by the specific individual or installation.

“What should I wear?” If you’re in the military you have the option of wearing traditional wedding attire or wearing your service uniform. As for your guests, their attire should be at the same level of formality as the couple. If the bride and/or groom are wearing their uniforms then those in the guest count should also be wearing theirs. If you wear your uniform just for the ceremony and change after or wear it the entire night, it’s totally up to you!

Just like your save the dates and invitations, your seating chart and place cards should have proper rank in front of their names as well. There may even be seating guidelines that each branch of the military has, so be sure to chat with your fiancé about it to make sure all the rules are followed!

_{Left: Dustin Lewis Images}

There’s a few other fun traditions when it comes to military weddings! You can cut the cake with the sword or have the wedding arch of swords. The newlyweds say I do and walk under the sword arch. Once at the end, they kiss and, if your fiancé is not in the military, you may find them trapped behind the last part of the arch until someone in the arch taps her with their sword as a way to welcome them into the family.

With so much to do, if you ever need more answers and just a bit of help, you can always ask the local base protocol officer or the installation’s chaplain! However, at the end of the day just enjoy it all because YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED to the love of your life!