When a man in uniform decides to get married, there are certain protocols that have to be observed.
So what happens when the church comes into play and certain regulations have to be integrated? The Catholic Church has a set of requirements for the members one of which is that a couple must wed in the church for it to be considered sacred. This was the reason Sarah and Lieutenant colonel Thomas had to do a church wedding after twenty years of marriage and four children later.
Besides the Catholic regulations, the military itself has requirements to be followed during ceremonies.
“As a military officer, one has to declare to their immediate boss if you are married or not married” says Thomas.
The norm usually is the groom’s family goes to the bride’s house to beg for her. In a military wedding however, the groom’s colleagues arrive at the bride’s house chanting celebratory songs, storm in and carry the bride away to a waiting car.
After the church service, the couple has to enter the signature archway of sabers held up by honor guards. It is significant that before completing the symbolic safe passage into marriage, the last two members of the honor guards block their journey, while one of the guards gives their newlywed colleague a ceremonial swat on the rear and a warm welcome to whatever branch of service the bride has married into.