Honoring military service in ceremony

Seems like this is a choice for him to make.

I think that, given what you have posted about his replies, he would probably rather not have recognition during the ceremony. You might consider asking him straight out what he wants, if anything, and if he says nothing or doesn't have ideas, let it go.

If he doesn't like making a big deal out of his service, then I wouldn't do anything big or special. Honor his wishes.

Mine is a Marine vet as well. He didn't want anything either so I let it go.

Im not trying to step in his toes with this im just super proud if him, but you're rite thank you

I have a really good friend who was an Army Ranger who feels the same way as your FH. He finds all the random "Thank you for your service" stuff embarrassing and kind of silly. I think your FH has made it pretty clear he does not want to incorporate his service into your day together in a visible or obvious way. Would he like something like cufflinks commemorating his service? He may really mean he does not want it to be a part of the day at all. In which case, I would just drop it.

My husband is in the Navy and it's obviously a huge part of our lives- however he to is modest about his service and wouldn't enjoy the extra attention. So I bought navy blue socks with an anchor on the top for him and his groomsmen. I'd obviously love to publicly honor him but I know he will enjoy the small subtle touch more!

The cufflinks are a good idea !! I don't want my "sweet" gesture to backfire on me . Thank yall for helping me out i needed to hear from other people becuase sometimes hes just stubborn but all these responses make complete sense thank yall again

@nikki i love that idea!!! My officiant mentioned that she could just thank all military members who are present for their service, there will be tones on both sides of our family so i think this may work

I think you leave it out based on what he's told you.

@celia leave out the announcement all together?

@nikki ill definitely run it by him if he still says no ill leave it alone .

I don't think you should do anything. If it makes him uncomfortable why would you want to do that

My FH is similar. He will be in his uniform but that's all

I think it is completely up to him. It's lovely that you want to recognize him, and it's wonderful that he has served, but it's really his choice.

I wouldn't do anything if I were you, but if he doesn't already have a groom's cake in mind, you could do a marines groom's cake. I wouldn't do anything more than that based on what he's told you.

My FH is also a military veteran. He's been in since he was 17, so it'll be 11 years when we get married. He's in the reserves now as a staff sgt in the army.

I really did want him to wear his dress blues at the wedding but he really didn't want to.

So, my way of honoring the military aspect of his (and very much our lives) going forward:

1) since no dress blues, he wore his camo uniform for part of our engagement photos.

2) I'm having his uniform camo name tag sewn into the inside of my dress

3) we have decided that after our entrance to the reception is announced but prior to our first dance, our dj will ask everyone to stand for a rendition of the national anthem. Something along the lines of "for the first time, introducing mr. and Mrs. Howell" ( we come out ) and instead of going right into the first dance something like "mr and Mrs Howell ask that if you are able to, please stand as we honor the United States of America and the men and women who have served our country with the playing of our national anthem" *national anthem plays* and then we have our first dance as a married couple!

These are just my ideas

Update: ran it by FH and he said " i want our wedding about us , not my service" so im taking that as a hard no . Thank you everyone for the advice ETA : i love the idea of the camos in the pictures , i asked about that and his are in a museum in his hometown , hes from a tiny little town in so texas and was injured in combat so they honored him a few years ago and it's in their military museum .

I am going to sew one of FH name patches from his uniform into my dress. He's very private about his service so it's a simple way to honor him that will mean a lot. I will also have an American flag on he memorial table that will represent his brothers that he's lost in war.

I love the memorial table idea !!

I am a vet and I would not want any recognition at my wedding. Even a thank you sometimes makes me feel weird, even though i know people mean well. It is really hard to explain.