Military Base Wedding Access for Non US citizens

I agree with Abbie and also grow weary of all the non-help given on here. Telling her now that it was a bad decision and she needs to change venues is ZERO help. While yes, I would hope guests were informed beforehand via invitation that it's a military base, offering constructive advice now is really what is needed, not telling OP how wrong she is.

Normally I would not expect to show ID to get into a wedding either - however, if it was out of country, I would know I need a passport. If it's on a military base, I would assume I would need to show some sort of ID to get on, as it's a secured site. I don't know why this is blowing some people's minds. It's not a venue I would chose for a plethora of reasons, but OP is trying to figure out how best to handle this situation now that it's happened. Let's help her.

@Taylor makes a great point. OP make sure ALL your guests know they need to have proper identification on them to get on base and if they don't they won't be allowed on base. I know my sister was trying to get me a tour of the Pentagon when my BIL worked there and we weren't allowed because our passports were expired and our driver's licenses are from one of the states where they are not up to code.

@Kaitlyn, people are not "illegal". They may hold illegal status in a particular country, but they themselves are not "illegal". And no, it is not semantics, we're talking about f'ing human beings here.

I "think highly" of people based on who they are as people...not based on their immigration status. Just sayin'.

OP never said any of FH's family was here illegally or implied that, simply that requirements are different for citizens, green card holders, visa holders, etc.

The implication that her FH's family "could" be here illegally is incredibly inappropriate.

Seeing as how there are no military bases in North Pole, Alaska and OP never came back....

seems like a pot stirring post to me.

@Hula actually there is Eielson Air Force Base, but OP mentioned her FH being retired Navy. I don't know how that works to be honest.

Oh no. Try to change the venue, No one will feel comfortable telling you their private information.

@HulaHoop my grandson is stationed at USGC Juneau AK I don't think there are any Naval bases, just Coast Guard and Army. I could be wrong though. Maybe she meant Coast Guard or the Navy shares the Coast Guard's base.

@bunnycita you're tardy to the party lol. OPs wedding is a few weeks away. Changing the venue isn't an option for her.

I know there are bases in Alaska, but they definitely aren't in the North Pole, which is where most trolololols are from.

HulaHoop - North Pole, AK is the default location if you do not enter your location information into your WeddingWire profile!

@Hula, OP did come back initially and explain that she was later told additional requirements needed. I really don't think this was a troll post. I never updated my town, or avatar (gasp!), when I started perusing through here for advice and information. Others started taking it in a completely different direction beyond her original question.

Rofl. Oops, im always late.

For all of those saying they wouldn't bring an ID to a wedding, I personally would think you should. For starters there are some venues that have to still ID people for drinks. Also it's just always good to have it, what if your partner drinks too much and you have to be the one to drive home?

OP, do you have a Wedding Website? If so that would be the perfect place to list out the requirements for ID's. I also highly suggest calling or emailing everyone as well for those who may not check the website.

This should probably have been more thought out when you booked the venue, but it's too late for that.

The polite way to try to dig out of this hole is to send the following message:

"Dear Family,

We are excited to see you in a few short weeks! As you know, our venue is ____ Navy Base. They have recently made additional security requirements that all guests and events must adhere to. We are going to need to provide them certain information in advance, and do X, Y, Z so they will allow you on base for the wedding. Unfortunately this also means they also need proof of citizenship or immigration status. Please send us x, y, z in advance (in a private message) so we can submit it to our venue. If you have any concerns please let us know."

When I ever I went into base with my FH or other military family members (both dependent and active duty), I was rarely asked for ID and when I was they only needed a drivers license as long as I was in the car with the person with the military ID.

I didn't think it would be that difficult to get in base for an event

"People are petty if they get upset over that knowing your wedding is happening on a military base."

This is wildly offensive and asinine, quite frankly. Unless you're a foreign national or naturalized citizen, you don't get to decide what's "petty" and not, Annie.

"Ridiculous that anyone would be offended by this. What rational person would assume they could attend an event on a foreign military installation without having to answer some questions and provide some documentation of their citizenship? "

Casey, I think it's ridiculous and irrational that you think people WOULDN'T have a problem with this or that they'd automatically know.

@Shauna I had no idea people could just get married on military bases, especially since OP and her FH are not actually IN the military.

@Abbie nailed it!!