Anyone gotten married at a hall on military base?

My cousin had her reception at navy base in VA. I couldn't tell you anything about how she went about it, but it was gorgeous. Atleast 200 guests. I know we had to be checked in and show identification when we entered base.. which I thought was neat but I was like 12. Other than that and my uncle looking awesome in his (totally blanking on if it was his dress blues or white...) uniform you wouldn't have had any idea you were anywhere military.

You will need to very specific information about each guest to give to the gate security. Back in the day that included SSN's but I'm not sure about that now. I am sure everyone will need to provide their driver's license number and have picture ID. If people do not RSVP with the required information, they will not get on the base.

We didn't do any of our wedding on base but we did look into it. If you are having parts of the wedding on base, be sure to send out your invitations a little earlier so you can get all the information to the security office on time. A friend who had theirs at the Air Force Academy put space on the back of the RSVP card for each person to enter their first and last name, driver's license number and SSN as well as their entree.

Edit: Security is really the only thing that would be different so yes, if you're happy to get married there and there are significant savings, it'd absolutely be worth it. The only downside (it's a pretty unlikely one) is that if you're inviting anyone with a criminal background (like a felony) they might not be allowed on base.

Security will be your biggest issue. I've seen brides talk about collecting their guests SSNs and let me tell you, I am not giving anyone my SSN. I'd provide it directly to the base but not to the bride/groom. That'd be really dumb and if it's a requirement you should ask that the base collect that info, not you. However I attended a base reception and did not have to provide that info. The bride and groom provided a shuttle and they checked everyone's ID on the bus and that was it. And this was a base near DC.

I'm getting married on a base. Security has to check id but they will not ask for any SSNs. I'm not sure if this applies to other bases as well but I would ask first.

My sister was originally going to have her ceremony on base... They wanted the guest list, full names (no nicknames, like 'Jack' instead of 'John') and yes, they wanted SSNs. Many people who are not, and have not, been associated with the military may find this invasive. I totally understood what was going on, and why she would want that info, but I know a lot of people didn't get it. She ended up doing the ceremony and reception in my mom's back yard.

We are having our reception at the Coast Guard Academy. Security is not as tight here as at a base, but we do have to supply a list of our guests for the gate guard and everyone HAS to have a valid id. I was a little concerned about it being a pain to have it here but it's really not bad. I just made sure to emphasize on the "Guest Information" card that it was absolutely imperative that everyone had an ID on them.

We will definitely have to ask and look into that more because I do not see everyone being ok with giving out their ssn. If they do need it would doing an extra little sealed envelope with a card for them to write the info the base needs in it with a little poem saying why we need it and that I won't open the card once sealed and I will give directly to the security office. Is that lame? Would that make people feel more comfortable?

That's not how it works. Security offices want a spreadsheet or list from you with all the pertinent information. They are not going to create that for you. Also, a bunch of little cards with ssn's on them on someone's desk is not secure. I think you are trying aim in the right direction but I can promise you that no one is going to accept a bunch of little envelopes and creating the checklist for the security gate.

That's not how it works. Security offices want a spreadsheet or list from you with all the pertinent information. They are not going to create that for you. Also, a bunch of little cards with ssn's on them on someone's desk is not secure. I think you are trying aim in the right direction but I can promise you that no one is going to accept a bunch of little envelopes and creating the checklist for the security gate.

Yeah no, Yelena, that's not going to work. You submit it in a spreadsheet to Security Forces to have at the front gate. Check with the base, they may only need people's driver's license number. Either way, they'll write it on a card, put it in the RSVP envelope and mail it to you. Just make sure you shred everything before you throw it away.

Also, anyone who needs a poem to explain why the military needs to do a background check on them before allowing them on an active base is an idiot.