A slightly military wedding ceremony

6 February 2012

As you may recall, John and I are getting married at the Memorial Chapel at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It looks like this:

Ahhh, so beautiful.

Aside from being gorgeous, however, this lovely spot holds much significance for me. It’s on the base where my Dad went to school as a cadet, and where he worked as an active duty professor for more than twenty five years — from before I can remember to after I graduated from college. So many of my memories from growing up involve the Academy, from football games on Saturdays to sponsor cadets that became bonus big sisters, Easter egg hunts on the lower field, many windy Saturdays on the sidelines of the softball diamond eating extra box lunches (my Dad was the assistant coach), countless days spent in the auditorium amusing myself through my older sister’s musical rehearsals, trips to have lunch with Dad at the Officer’s Club (famous among my sisters and I for its “fancy bathroom”), and accompanying him to work when we stayed home from school (when he took us into the classroom with him, he would sometimes introduce us as the “visiting expert on Play-Doh” — a funny joke when you’re a Western Political Theory instructor).

I also love that we’re holding our ceremony at the Academy because in a small way it’s a gesture of appreciation for all who serve in the military, including my Dad, several other family members, and one of my and John’s best friends from high school. I am so proud of my Dad’s service, and all those who serve, that I always knew I would want him to wear his uniform for my wedding. And wear it he shall! It won’t be the first time he’s worn it for a wedding, either:

Some of you may recall this gem from my parents’ anniversary, but I thought it was worth digging out again :)

My Dad and I are still discussing his sartorial choices, but we’re pretty sure he’s going to go all out and wear his service dress whites for the ceremony, then switch to his dinner dress blue uniform for the reception. I love it, and I can’t wait to walk down the aisle on his arm.

Just for fun, here are a few more service people at weddings.

Photo by Q Weddings via Style Me Pretty

Photo by Braedon Flynn via Southern Weddings

Photo by Erin Hearts Court

Photo by Jose Villa

What do you think? Ladies or gents who are getting married, does your ceremony spot hold special meaning? How about those of y’all who are already married?

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February 6, 2012 10:02 am

This is so precious! I love how much meaning your ceremony space has to you :) If there’s anything more touching and heartwarming than a wedding, it’s a military wedding!

February 7, 2012 1:10 am

I love this! I always think that dress whites look amazing during ceremonies. Also, I love the photo of your parents… oddly enough my favorite part of that photo is the younger girl on the left side. I’m big on the little things and you can tell that her anticipation to see the new couple is just killing her! I love stuff like that in wedding photos!!