Wedding Sabers only for Military?

As a 20-year retiree I wouldn't be offended by it, I'd just think it was weird. You can do anything you want, but it would look strange unless one of you is military.

P.S. Sorry, but the veteran below is wrong about the sword arch being "officer only." This tradition varies by service, and binds none outside the service.

1. The Marines authorize it for commissioned, warrant, and noncommissioned officers. See MCO P5060.20.

2. The Air Force forbids it to none.

3. I see no Navy rules on the subject except "Swords are not usually carried in a house of worship, but the sword belt without scabbard may be carried with Full or Dinner Dress uniforms with end clips fastened together. For this occasion, if you plan to form an arch of swords through which the bridal party will pass, draw swords outside the house of worship." You'd think they'd specify a grade, too. The Corps did, after all.

4. The Coast Guard has the same "draw swords outside the house of worship" rule.

There's not a law against it but I know a few servicemen who would be pretty offended. You aren't military so in their eyes you havn't earned the right to those particular ceremonies, even in part and may even see it as a mockery and something that cheapens the real thing, kind of like those costumes they have in shops of military dress uniforms or if everybody wore a robe to a HS graduation just because they thought the robes were cool.

It would be wrong to do this - this is a formality reserved only for officers of the armed forces - not even enlisted service members are given this honor. You or your fiance must be an officer of the armed services of the United States of America to have this done at your wedding. My husband and I both served in the Navy as enlisted personnel. Trust me on this one - don't do it. LIke I said, sorry I can't tell you differently