Military Wedding Photography Guide

Military weddings carry a level of formality and protocol that most civilian photographers haven't encountered. The ceremony can include flag presentations, specific prayer formats, and processional orders that differ from civilian weddings. The reception might feature a cake-cutting ceremony with a sword. Group photos need to account for rank. And the entire day operates on a precision timeline that would make most wedding planners jealous.

Here's what I appreciate most about military weddings after photographing so many: they run on time. Military families understand schedules. When I say "formal portraits at 1430," everyone is there at 1430. Not 1445, not "we're still finishing cocktails." Right on time. As a photographer, that's a dream. It means I get every shot on my list without rushing, which directly translates to better images.

The flip side is that there's less flexibility. A civilian bride who wants to add 30 minutes of extra portraits can usually rearrange the timeline. A military ceremony at a base chapel has a hard start time and a hard end time because another event is often scheduled right after. If the ceremony is at 1400 and the chapel is booked for a different event at 1530, you've got a very specific window to capture everything, and there's no extending it. I learned quickly to front-load my must-have shots and treat the timeline as fixed rather than flexible.

One more thing that sets military weddings apart: the emotional weight. Many of these couples have been separated by deployments. Some have survived combat. The moment they see each other at the altar carries a depth of emotion that goes beyond the typical wedding-day nerves. As a photographer, you need to be ready for that. Keep your camera up. Keep shooting. Those raw, unguarded emotional moments are the images that will matter most to this couple in 20 years. For general wedding photography foundations, see our complete guide.

The sword arch (Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) or saber arch (Army, Air Force) is the most iconic and most photographed moment of a military wedding. Get it wrong and you've lost the shot. There are no do-overs. The arch happens once, the couple walks through, and it's done. So you need to know exactly where to stand, when to shoot, and what's about to happen at each stage.

The arch is traditionally formed outside the chapel or ceremony space as the couple exits. Six to eight service members in dress uniform line up in two rows facing each other, swords or sabers drawn and pointed upward. On the command "arch swords" or "arch sabers," they raise their blades to form an inverted V shape overhead. The couple then walks slowly through the arch. At the very end, the last two members lower their swords to gently block the couple. One of them taps the bride on the backside with the flat of the blade and says something like "Welcome to the Navy, ma'am." It's playful. It's tradition. And the couple's reaction is pure gold for photos.

Positioning yourself is critical. I plant myself about 30-40 feet past the end of the arch, directly in line with it, using a 70-200mm at f/2.8. This lets me shoot down the length of the arch as the couple walks toward me, with all the swords creating converging lines that lead the eye straight to the couple. It's one of the most compositionally powerful shots in all of wedding photography, and it only exists in military weddings. I also place a second shooter behind the couple, looking through the arch from the chapel side, to capture the couple from behind with the arch framing them against the outdoor background.

The cake-cutting sword tradition is the second sword moment. The couple cuts the wedding cake using the groom's sword (or the bride's, in dual-military weddings). Position yourself at about a 45-degree angle to capture both their faces and the sword going into the cake. Shoot at f/4.0 to keep both the couple and the cake in focus, 1/250th of a second, ISO 800-1600 depending on reception lighting. The first slice is the shot. Don't wait for the second.

I'm going to be blunt: if you photograph a service member with their uniform worn incorrectly and put those photos in the gallery, you've embarrassed them. Military personnel take their uniform regulations seriously. It's a core part of their identity and their profession. A crooked medal, a cover worn indoors, or a button undone in a formal portrait is the military equivalent of a typo in a wedding invitation. It matters.

The "cover" (hat) rule is the one photographers mess up most. In general, service members wear their cover outdoors and remove it indoors. So if you're doing portraits inside the chapel, the cover comes off. If you step outside for portraits, the cover goes on. This varies slightly by branch and context, so ask the service member before the first indoor/outdoor transition. They know their own regulations. Don't assume you know better because you read a blog post.

Dress Blues versus Mess Dress versus Class A's: the service member will know which uniform is appropriate for their wedding. Don't suggest they wear something specific unless they ask for your opinion. Each branch has different dress uniform options for formal occasions, and the choice involves regulations, rank considerations, and personal preference. What you should do is ask what they're wearing so you can plan your photography accordingly. Dark Navy dress blues photograph differently than Army greens, which photograph differently than Air Force mess dress.

Before the first portrait, do a quick visual check of the uniform. Look for: ribbons properly aligned, insignia correctly placed, buttons fastened, belt buckle centered, and no loose threads. You're not inspecting them. You're being thorough the same way you'd check a bride's dress for wrinkles before clicking the shutter. The service member will appreciate that you noticed and cared. I've caught misaligned ribbons twice and saved the couple from having incorrect uniform photos in their wedding album. Both times, the service member thanked me profusely. Check our posing guide for additional portrait techniques.

For dual-military couples, both members will be in uniform, and you need to understand the visual dynamics. Two dark dress uniforms side by side can merge together in photos, especially in low light. Use separation lighting or background contrast to distinguish each person. A slight turn so they're angled toward each other, rather than both facing the camera square, creates depth and prevents the "two dark shapes" problem. The visual contrast of medals, branch insignia, and any rank differences adds texture and interest to these portraits.

I can not stress this enough: do not assume that the rules at one base chapel apply to another. I've shot at bases where I could stand anywhere in the chapel and use flash freely. I've also shot at bases where I was restricted to the back third of the chapel with no flash allowed during prayers. The only way to know is to contact the chapel coordinator well in advance. I do this 6-8 weeks before every military wedding.

Base access is the first logistical hurdle. Your couple needs to arrange a visitor pass for you and your second shooter. This typically requires submitting your driver's license information, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance ahead of time. Some bases process visitor passes in minutes. Others take days. Don't leave this to the last minute. I've heard horror stories of photographers being turned away at the gate on the wedding day because the paperwork wasn't submitted in time.

Equipment restrictions exist at some installations. Tripods, light stands, and large camera bags may need to be declared at the gate. Certain high-security bases restrict the use of certain electronic equipment. This is rare for wedding photography, but it happens. Ask the couple to confirm with their installation's security office what equipment is permitted. I always carry documentation showing I'm a vendor for the wedding, including the couple's contact information and the chapel booking confirmation, in case I'm questioned at the gate.

Photography near certain buildings, aircraft, or installations is often prohibited. If you're doing outdoor portraits on base, stay in the areas the couple has been approved to use. Don't wander toward the flight line for a "cool backdrop" of fighter jets. That's a security violation and can cause real problems for the service member who sponsored your access. Stick to the approved areas: the chapel grounds, the officer's club, the designated outdoor photo locations. The backgrounds are usually beautiful anyway. Military bases tend to have well-maintained grounds, and chapel exteriors are often architecturally stunning. For indoor photography strategies, see our indoor photography guide.

Military ceremonies include elements that don't exist in civilian weddings, and missing them means missing irreplaceable moments. The flag presentation, for example. In some military weddings, the American flag is presented and positioned near the altar or ceremony space. This is a solemn moment. Photograph it without flash, from a respectful distance. Use a 70-200mm at f/2.8, ISO 1600-3200, and let the available light tell the story. The contrast between the brightly colored flag and the chapel interior creates naturally dramatic images.

Military ceremonies are more structured than typical civilian ceremonies. There's a specific order to everything: the seating of the mothers, the processional of the wedding party (which may include sword bearers), the entrance of the bride, the ceremony itself, and the recessional. Some ceremonies include a unity candle or sand ceremony, just like civilian weddings, but with added military elements. The chaplain will usually run through the order during the rehearsal. Be there for the rehearsal. It's the only way to plan your shot list and positioning for the ceremony.

Don't forget the receiving line. Military weddings often include a formal receiving line where the couple, the parents, and sometimes the commanding officer greet every guest individually. This can take 30-45 minutes for a large wedding. It's a procession of handshakes, hugs, and genuine emotion, and it produces wonderful candid photographs. I position myself at the end of the receiving line and shoot with a 135mm f/2.0 to capture intimate reactions without being intrusive.

At the reception, watch for toasts from fellow service members. These are often deeply personal, referencing shared deployments, inside jokes from training, and bonds that are unlike anything in civilian life. The emotions in the room during these toasts are intense. Keep shooting through the entire toast, not just the speaker but also the couple's reactions. I've captured service members wiping away tears during a buddy's speech, and those images are among the most powerful in any military wedding gallery.

Military weddings offer detail shot opportunities that don't exist at civilian weddings, and a photographer who knows what to look for will capture them. Dog tags are the obvious one. Dog tags with the wedding rings threaded through the chain is an iconic image. Lay them on the invitation suite, drape them over the bouquet, or photograph them hanging from the sword handle. Shoot at f/2.8 on a macro or 50mm lens, natural window light, and let the metal surfaces catch some reflection.

Challenge coins are another detail unique to military life. Many service members collect challenge coins from their units, deployments, and achievements. If the couple displays these at the reception, photograph them as a flat lay alongside the wedding rings and invitation. They tell a story of service that adds depth to the wedding gallery. I always ask the couple if they have any military memorabilia they'd like included in detail shots. Most do, and they're thrilled when someone thinks to ask.

The uniform itself deserves detail treatment. Close-ups of medals and ribbons. The branch insignia. The dress shoes polished to a mirror shine. Rank insignia, especially if the service member recently received a promotion. The white gloves laid on the cover. The sword in its scabbard. Each of these elements represents years of service and sacrifice, and photographing them with the same care you'd give the bride's jewelry shows respect for the military story woven into this wedding.

One detail shot I always try to capture: the service member's boots or dress shoes placed next to the bride's shoes. The visual contrast between heavy military footwear and delicate bridal shoes tells the entire story of two worlds coming together. Shoot it at f/4.0 on a 50mm, both pairs in focus, with soft directional light. It's a simple image that packs an enormous emotional punch. For more on detail photography, see our getting ready photography guide.

Deployment can change everything overnight. I've had three weddings postponed due to deployment orders, and in each case, the couple's stress was already through the roof without having to worry about losing their photography deposit. This is why every military wedding contract needs a clear deployment clause. The standard I use states that if deployment orders postpone the wedding, the couple can transfer their contract to a new date within 18 months at no additional fee. If the new date doesn't work for my schedule, I refund 100% of the deposit. No questions asked. This isn't generosity. It's basic decency for families serving the country.

Military discounts are common in the wedding photography industry, typically ranging from 10-15% off the standard package price. Some photographers offer this as a standard policy listed on their website. Others provide it when asked. If you're a military couple, always ask. Even photographers who don't advertise a military discount may offer one when they learn about your service. I offer 10% off any package for active-duty service members and veterans, and I've never regretted it. These families sacrifice enough without being nickel-and-dimed by their vendors.

Homecoming sessions are one of the best add-ons for military couples. If the wedding happened while one partner was deployed (yes, proxy weddings and pre-deployment weddings are real), a homecoming session captures the reunion. These are raw, emotional, and produce some of the most powerful images you'll ever see. The airport arrival. The first embrace. The meeting of a child born during deployment. I've photographed a dozen of these, and I cry every single time. I'm not ashamed to admit that.

For photographers reading this who want to serve the military community: educate yourself. Attend a military wedding as a guest or second shooter before leading one yourself. Learn the branch-specific differences in uniforms, traditions, and protocols. Reach out to military spouse groups and veteran organizations to build relationships. And when you work with military couples, bring your best effort. These families have given a lot, and they deserve a photographer who respects their service enough to understand their traditions. For contract best practices, review our photography contract guide.