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Bagpipes can make a pleasant addition to your special day.
Pipers have been entertaining guests at weddings, banquets and parties for centuries. Your
guests will be quite surprised when they arrive at your wedding and hear bagpipes.
PLAYING AT THE CEREMONY
Before the Ceremony
This is a good time to "set the mood" for your wedding. If the majority of the guests are
arriving at the same time (exiting bus, boarding a yacht, etc.) then a piper can be used quite
effectively.
During the Wedding Ceremony
Here is where the bride decides how much bagpiping will be used. Play for the mothers and
grandmothers to be seated? Play the bridesmaids in? Play for the bride going down the
aisle? Will the piper lead the bride or stay up at the top of the aisle? Play a short tune,
usually Amazing Grace, during a special part of the ceremony, such as a candlelighting?
Play or lead the wedding couple back up the aisle and outside? Perhaps you would like the
famous Benediction tune at this point - Panis Angelicus. To get the lyrics for this tune, click
here - Panis Angelicus (a very inspiring tune!).
At the Receiving Line
Have the bagpiper start playing outside the church when the guests are exiting. The piper
should play for approximately 15-20 minutes while waiting for the receiving line to complete.
Have the bagpiper stop playing when the photographer is ready to photograph the bridal
party with bride and groom. When the photos are completed and the rice is thrown, the
bagpiper can now begin to play a fast and lively tune while the couple enters the limo.
PLAYING AT THE RECEPTION
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hours, which are usually void of live entertainment, can be a perfect place for
bagpipes to be played. A single piper can easily blend in the room and provide background
music for your guests. One drawback is that the bride and groom are normally taking photos
at this time and are not present during the cocktail hour.
At the Reception
This is a popular time for bagpipers to play. It is quite effective to have the bride and groom
lead into the reception hall with the piper playing a snappy tune. I like to play a dedication to
the bride (The Rose of Kelvingrove) at this point, but this could be delayed until later. Then,
have the piper play again after the food has been served, usually 2-3 hours into the
reception. Even if you have other entertainment (disc jockey, etc.) for the reception, the
bagpipes will always make a welcome change of pace. Don't be surprised to see your guests
clapping and dancing to the pipe music.
LAST NOTE
Music Choices
This is something that we can work out. Pipers always have quite a few tunes memorized
and ready to play. See my Tune List link above. Ask if you have a special request, as I may
know the tune and just need to "dust it off". A waltz played while the bride and groom dance
by themselves is very popular and I suggest "Mrs. Isabella MacKenzie Sutherland" for this
dance followed by the waltz tune, Mrs. Sheila Patrick.
Fees
Some factors that influence the fee.
Distance: I charge a small travel fee for travel beyond 35 miles from Hickory, NC.
Amount of playing time: Several hours of my time must be set aside to accommodate your
wedding needs, which may include the rehearsal, ceremony and reception.
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