Who To Invite: Military Etiquette?

rb30966

So it's recently been brought to my attention on this board that it may be important to invite FI's CO and XO to the wedding. Does anyone have a source that says this is the case? OR does anyone know if this is strictly for a military wedding? We are not having any military traditions- he is not wearing a uniform, no swords, etc. However FI is active duty and will be an O2 at the time of the wedding. Also, FI is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and our wedding is in Maryland.

Beachy730

Etiquette wise, as an officer he should invite his direct supervisor, as well as the CO and XO.  It's really just a formallity, and they rarely attend.  

With your wedding in a different state I probably would say don't even bother, but it's really up to your FI if he wants to follow this or not.  

firsttimersluck

I would say still bother, just for the etiquette of it.. Some CO/XOs are sticklers about that, even when they choose not to go (weird.. everyone has their pet peeves I suppose).
FI is an 03 and we are inviting the CO/XO as etiquette entails. The military wedding is totally irrelevant to the etiquette (we're not having a military wedding either, although FI will be in uniform).
USUALLY, they don't come, as they don't want to hold down the party for the younger officers that may feel uncomfortable about loosening up around their superiors. I know that everyone in my squadron invited their CO/XO at the time, and not one ever came. :P

This was new etiquette to me too, btw! I realized when I started lurking on this board, and went to ask the other wives/couples our squadron to see what they did. Definitely thankful for the info I have recieved from the military brides board!

amh04

What about Enlisted? (He is an E4) We are having ours possibly on base (in the chapel/reception possibly at the Officers Club). Is it still thought to invite his superiors if we are inviting some that he works with?

kyrgyzstan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_invite-military-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:8abce2f3-e063-4bbf-a5fe-4fa202c53197Post:27917d1c-b4e7-461c-8cdc-5ee0c7e73bd9">Re: Who To Invite: Military Etiquette?</a>:
[QUOTE]What about Enlisted? (He is an E4) We are having ours possibly on base (in the chapel/reception possibly at the Officers Club). Is it still thought to invite his superiors if we are inviting some that he works with?
Posted by amh04[/QUOTE]

<div>FI (E5) invited his favorite E7, his SNCOIC (E7) and his OIC (O3).</div>

kruoff89

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_invite-military-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:8abce2f3-e063-4bbf-a5fe-4fa202c53197Post:523d5a65-76f3-4665-a32a-1f337d9dba9e">Re: Who To Invite: Military Etiquette?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would say still bother, just for the etiquette of it.. Some CO/XOs are sticklers about that, even when they choose not to go (weird.. everyone has their pet peeves I suppose). Posted by firsttimersluck[/QUOTE]

I definitely agree with this. I'm an Army Brat, marrying into the Navy (I know, right? ;) ) and my dad gets invites to various weddings, and rarely attends, but will alway send a note to the new couple thanking them and congratulating them. I don't think he'd be bothered if he DIDN'T recieve the invite, but it's just a nice gesture. I think it's safe to say they won't come, especially because it's in another state.