Saber arch

The bride and groom pass under an honorary arch of sabers, typically when exiting the building in which the wedding ceremony took place.

Jocular imitations of it also occur, as in using cricket bats or hockey sticks and such in the nuptials of a professional or dedicated amateur athlete.

Usually, an honor guard composed of officers or NCOs, often from the same unit as the service member, form the arch with sabers or swords.

Officers and enlisted personnel in the bridal party wear formal dress uniforms in accordance with seasonal regulations of the services.

In Germany and Austria, saber arches are commonly employed by various types of male-only Studentenverbindungen (student fraternities).

At weddings, the current officials – usually a team of three – salute their newlywed member and his bride by a single arch featuring a flag just outside the church.

As the coffin is lowered into the earth, both the saber arch and the flag follow him, usually resting there while last words are uttered.