Everything to Know Before Wearing a Navy, Air Force or Army Wedding Uniform

Whether you're tying the knot as a military couple or getting ready to attend a wedding where one of the to-be-weds serves our nation in uniform, there's a lot to understand when figuring out an Army wedding uniform—or any US military branch, for that matter. From grooming guidelines to levels of formality, we will walk you through just what you need to know, including the answer to, "Can you wear army dress uniforms to a wedding?"

For expert insight, we spoke with Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Robert Armstrong, who served for 20 years and chose to wear his Navy uniform when he got married and when he danced with his daughter on her wedding day. He shared all the ins and outs of what to do—and what not to do—when choosing military uniforms for a wedding.

At a Glance

Photo: Elissa R Photography

When it comes to Army formal wear, a Marine wedding uniform or figuring out the rules for dress blues, there are many things to take into account when getting dressed for a military wedding. Here are some main points to consider:

• Although a common choice, uniforms are not mandatory for military guests or to-be-weds at a wedding. The invitation will typically state if uniforms are encouraged. Both men and women can wear their uniforms if they so desire.
• Different branches of the military have different uniforms, but each branch has levels of formality within the uniforms. This ensures everyone looks similar, even if they are serving in different branches.
• Anyone in uniform must adhere to personal grooming standards for their branch. While these rules have expanded in recent years, most military personnel need to be clean-shaven with a professional haircut.
• Many formal dress uniforms can have a sabre or sword, although this is usually only worn for weddings when the couple has requested to exit the ceremony through a sabre arch. They are not required.

In this article: Dress Codes | Uniform by Branch | Etiquette | Guest Attire

Military Wedding Dress Codes

Photo: Fabrice Tranzer

As a couple figures out their wedding dress code wording, they need to understand how formal they want their wedding to be and what uniforms they want at their celebration, if any. From black-tie affairs to more casual receptions, there is a military uniform to coordinate with each style. Here are the most common ones worn at a wedding.

• Mess dress is usually the most formal tier of military uniform, typically associated with black-tie or white-tie events, although it can also be appropriate for formal or black-tie optional celebrations. Many military members do not have this uniform, as it is rarely worn.
• Class A or service dress is the second highest level of formality in military uniforms. These uniforms are called class A by the Army and Air Force and service dress by the other branches. These uniforms look sharp and are very common for weddings.
• Dress blues is common language for referring to any formal attire with blue as the main color. For example, the Army's mess dress is referred to as dress blues, and the Navy's winter service dress can also be called by this nickname.

Military Wedding Uniform by Branch

Each branch of the military has developed its uniforms over time, and slight differences in uniforms are seen between various ranks, such as officers and enlisted personnel.

Army Wedding Uniform

Photo: Emma Lili Photography

The US Army formal dress uniform, pictured above, is known as the mess dress and consists of a tailored jacket, bright collar and the classic dark blue army pants with a gold stripe.

Photo: Apaige Photography

The second-most formal uniform is commonly called the dress blues. It consists of a white shirt, black tie, dark blue coat and optional beret. General officers wear dark blue pants with a gold stripe or skirt, while other officers and enlisted personnel wear light blue pants with a gold stripe or a skirt.

Marine Wedding Uniform

Photo: Amy Allen Photography

The most common Marine formal attire at weddings is known as blue dress A or C. This consists of a dark blue jacket with gold buttons and either blue pants with a red stripe or white pants. This uniform would be considered appropriate for a black-tie optional event.

For a Marine uniform for a wedding that is a white-tie or black-tie event, there is an evening dress, which has a tailored jacket, white shirt and bright red cummerbund.

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Air Force Wedding Uniform

Photo: The Archers

The mess dress for the US Air Force, pictured above, is often donned for weddings. It has a dark blue dress coat, a white tuxedo-style shirt and matching dark blue pants. The service dress has a similar color scheme, but the jacket is a three-button dress coat worn with blue pants that have a yellow stripe.

Navy Wedding Uniform

Photo: Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer

Navy military dress uniforms vary depending on the season and formality. The formal dress for white-tie occasions is a tailored blue evening jacket with matching trousers and a white necktie. This would be considered black-tie attire, and most service members do not even have this uniform as it is so rarely used.

More commonly worn at weddings is the mess dress, which comes in two versions: black or white. Both include tailored jackets, a gold cummerbund and a black bow tie. The black version is worn in the winter, and the white jacket is worn in the spring and summer.

Many Navy personnel get married in their service dress blues, which also come in an all black winter version with a double-breasted jacket or an all-white uniform with gold buttons, pictured above.

Military Wedding Uniform Etiquette

Photo: Iris Mannings Photography

The military is highly structured and regulated to ensure everything—and everyone—is ready to complete their mission at any given time. This readiness starts with their appearance, meaning there are many rules surrounding uniforms. Here are some of the etiquette military members must adhere to.

• Military uniforms cannot be altered or adjusted for any reason. This means no boutonnieres.
• Groomsmen should wear the white gloves that go with their uniform. Grooms and best men forgo this element as they will be handling the rings.
• The senior officer at the event typically gets to decide whether all uniformed personnel wear their medals, which are less formal, or ribbons, which are more formal.
• Any veteran, retired military personnel or active-duty military members are allowed to wear their uniform to a wedding. This includes brides, grooms, mothers, fathers and everyone in between. Check with the to-be-weds if the invitation is unclear about which one to wear.

Military Wedding Guest Attire

When attending a military wedding, you can expect lots of uniforms, potentially some swords or sabres and maybe the US flag in the background of the ceremony. However, that is not the same at a civilian wedding, even if lots of military personnel are in attendance.

As a Military Guest Attending a Non-Military Wedding

Whether you have served one day, one week or one year, military guests should not usually wear any uniform to a non-military wedding. Uniforms are striking and draw attention to their wearers, which could draw attention away from the to-be-weds. The only reason this would potentially change is if someone was specifically requested to wear their uniform.

As a Non-Military Guest Attending a Military Wedding

If you have not served in the military but are heading to a military wedding soon, get excited! They are incredible events that will likely incorporate various elements of the military into the day, including uniforms. Follow whatever dress code was laid out on the invitation, and you will be good to go.