Military, Jewish wedding

#1 bridesmominportland

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The groom is an officer in the US Army. He will be wearing his dress blues. Wedding will follow all Jewish traditions, including the one where men keep their heads covered at religious ceremonies. Does the groom wear his uniform cap, or does he wear a Jewish yarmulke (also called kippah)? What about other military members of the wedding party who will also be in uniform? At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom pass through a saber arch. What's the head covering for those military members?

Any other advice for this rather unusual combination of traditions?

Thank you so much!

#2 Etiquette Now

WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT

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Actually, it may be best to contact a protocol officer/expert in the armed forces. I would imagine that if an officer is wearing part of his/her uniform, he/she would be expected to wear all of it.

Rebecca Black, Etiquette By Rebecca

#3 Jewish Weddings

Jewish Wedding Expert

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The kippah/yarmulke is just a symbol for covering the man's head. There is no religious significance to the symbol. In Jewish tradition, covering the head conveys the wearer's sense that there is a force in the universe above him (and in modern congregations her). Although the kippah might symbolize to many non-Jews a high level of Jewihs religiousity, wearing one is a custom, not a law. Many Orthodox Jews actually wear full head coverings, like hats! Therefore, the Groom and any other members of the military who will be in uniform should wear their uniform caps. This past Memorial Day I did a blog post about a Jewish Military wedding. Attached is a photo of the bride and groom passing under the Saber Arch. All the males are in full military uniform--including hats! Mazel Tov!