If you are taking the bus over, then you will board the bus at your scheduled time in the bus spreadsheet in the FAQs below. The ceremony program is as follows: 1530: Guests arrive for seating (some guests will arrive earlier due to bus schedule and can sit inside). Parents and grandparents arrive and wait in the foyer downstairs. If grandparents prefer, they may wait in a back pew in the Main Chapel. 1545-1550: Prelude music begins. Ushers finish seating guests. 1550: Grandparents are escorted to their pews. 1555: Parents of the Groom and Mother of the Bride are seated. 1600: Processional begins. 1625: Ceremony concludes, recessional begins. Bride and Groom proceed to the balcony for photos. Wedding party, family, and guests exit to the sidewalk in front of the Chapel. Sword bearers march out and form the arch on the front steps. 1630: Announcement of the Couple and Arch of Swords.
Yes, this is probably the easiest way for civilians to get there! Event Valet parking at the Westin is $12, but there may be a line for valet so plan some extra time. There is also an extensive garage under the hotel but it may be more than $12. You can park and then take one of our buses onto the Naval Academy. We have submitted your names to the base (this is why you need realD or passport with you). There will be assigned people checking names off of the bus lists. Bus lists are in a link in the FAQ below. If you do bus over you MUST be on your assigned bus. The gate guard may check to make sure people did not get on the wrong bus. If you board the wrong bus, you could be asked to get off at the gate...we don't know how strict they will be enforcing this rule but we didn't want to take any chances. In order to get everyone there on time, some buses arrive at USNA @ 3pm. You will be able to wait in the air conditioned chapel until ushers begin seating guests in the front pews @3:30.
Copy and paste the following google form address to check your seating: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x_x7DHH0b7cu6fHq__V9_-C2JqrVZgJ0su1BtyYMYAc/edit#gid=440141923
Nope! Assigned buses were only needed for getting onto base. One bus will need to make a second trip, so guests can walk around the grounds, wait in the gazebo, or check out the John Paul Jones crypt while waiting. We do ask that guests please be considerate of any elderly, disabled, or pregnant guests and allow them to get seats on the first buses back if needed.
5:30 at the Westin outside of the main ballroom.
There will be 2 school buses and a trolley taking guests from the Westin Hotel to the Chapel. We will post official pick-up and drop off times on here. THIS WILL BE THE EASIEST WAY TO GET TO THE CHAPEL. If you decide to access USNA on foot from Downtown Annapolis, you will need to walk through Gate 1 (the Main Gate) or Gate 3 (directly next to the Chapel). Plan extra time as you will have to go through base security or in case Gate 3 is closed and you have to walk to Gate 1. YOU CANNOT USE A RIDESHARE TO GET ONTO BASE. THEY WILL DROP YOU OFF AT ONE OF THE GATES INSTEAD. YOU CANNOT PARK ON BASE unless you have handicap tags. We highly recommend against driving yourself to the gates, as parking nearby is limited and expensive.
we think this is only if you DON'T have a REALID. Here is the website: www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories
You will need to bring a Real ID or government issued photo ID to present to the gate guards upon entering the Yard (even if you are taking our buses for entry.) Use this link to check if your state is Real ID compliant: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id If you don't have a Real ID, you will need to bring a 2nd form of government-issued photo ID (i.e. passport, passport card, etc.)
Unity, Water, and Sand Candles are not allowed. Receiving lines are not allowed in or outside of the Chapel. Aisle runners are not allowed in the Main Chapel or St. Andrew’s Chapel. Nothing is to be dropped down the aisle during the processional or recessional. No interior or exterior decorations are allowed. Under NO circumstances are rice, flowers, birdseed, confetti, bubbles, releasing of doves, butterflies, or balloons allowed either inside or outside the Chapel. Pictures in the Chapel after your ceremony are not permitted due to the time constraints. Under NO circumstances is alcohol allowed in the Chapel or on the Naval Academy grounds. They even have a rule that smelling alcohol on your breath can be an issue (we don't know how they would even enforce this but we wanted to mention it) Violation of this will result in base security being notified and the cancelation of your wedding.
The ushers will likely ask that you turn off and put away cell phones when they seat you. Cell phone and camera use is prohibited during the ceremony and if guests break this rule they will be asked to leave the chapel. This is to both ensure the ceremony proceeds without interruption and that the sanctity of the chapel is preserved. We have two photographers and a videographer, so there will be plenty of pictures taken! We kindly ask everyone to please leave the pics to the professionals. For the reception? Feel free to go ham! We will even have mini polaroid cameras around for guests to snap pictures for the guest book!
1. Active duty military members are not required to wear a uniform. It is optional. 2. There are no special uniform exemptions for weddings. All uniforms must be worn in accordance with standard uniform regulations. 3. Brides and photographers are not authorized to choose which uniform to wear. The local military commander is the prescribing authority. In general, wear the uniform of the day, or the prescribed ceremonial uniform of the season. 4. All participants should wear the same or corresponding uniform. 5. The uniform must be appropriate seasonal uniform of the locale where the wedding is taking place (e.g., U.S. Naval Academy), not where the bride or groom are stationed. 6. Military guests may be requested in writing beforehand to wear an appropriate uniform. 7. Lapel flowers are not authorized on uniforms. 8. Prank remarks on Groom’s shoes (“Help Me”) are inappropriate and not authorized. 9. All uniforms should be inspection ready.
10. Eliminate all chewing gum, keys, large wallets, pagers, and mobile phones. No bulging pockets. 11. Ceremonial swords are considered weapons. Weapons are never worn in Chapel. The Groom does not wear a sword. 12. For transportation purposes inside the Chapel, swords and scabbards may be hand carried. 13. Female sword bearers should wear trousers vs. skirts. 14. The groom does not wear a sword. 15. Transporting swords on a plane is a major security issue. Check ahead of time with the airline. 16. Covers are never worn in Chapel. 17. The groom may or may not wear his cover as he passes under the arch. 18. Covers and swords are donned by the sword bearers only at the rear of the Chapel and just prior to exiting the Chapel for the Arch of Swords ceremony.
Yes, you get a plus one.
Children 6 and over are allowed. Just know that this won't be the most kid-friendly event (open-bar, no kids meal option or activities planned for them.)
Cocktail Attire: Wear cocktail dresses, LBDs, dressy jumpsuits, and dark jackets and slacks. Lighter suits are welcome. (feel free to ditch uncomfortable shoes during dancing)
The chapel runs a tight ship, pun intended. I know everyone is super bummed they can't bring their swords inside the chapel :( To make up for all the chapel rules, we added upgraded drinks and mini hamburgers and fries as a late night snack so hopefully that helps!
YES! Two of them! We have taken care of bartender tip so you do not need to worry about it!
The money dance (or dollar dance) is a cultural tradition at many wedding receptions where guests offer the newlyweds money to dance with them, or they shower the couple with money. The custom is to help establish the couple in their new life together, or to show how much they are loved and appreciated. Everyone is invited to join in, but guests are not required to participate! The DJ will keep the jams going and it will turn into a regular dance floor after :)
The only line dance we specifically requested from the DJ is Todo Todo Todo (he'll likely play others too). Todo todo is a lot of fun, but may be hard to learn at the wedding if you don't already know it. There are great instructional videos online, such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watwT_e1Ldw
We have been monitoring COVID in the area and as of 7/13 the chapel and Westin do not have any restrictions or mask mandates. USNA has been very strict about keeping the midshipmen safe, and have been able to open their grounds back up completely. Delta variant in MD is only 20% of cases last we checked. We have been surveying guests and it looks like nearly everyone has been vaccinated at this point. That being said, if you would still like to wear a mask, please do! If you are sick, have covid symptoms, or a positive covid test, we regretfully ask that you please stay home. The bride is vaccinated but is immunocompromised.