Bagpipes at the ceremony?

Re: Bagpipes at the ceremony?

• akulaji

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  One of my best friends had a bagpiper at her wedding.  Her husband is also Scottish.  They ended up having regular musicians (strings, vocalist, etc) for the ceremony, and had the bagpiper playing outside the church before and after the ceremony.  I thought it was a fabulous touch and was really neat to have outside after everyone filed out after the ceremony.  I think I would prefer it the way they had it because the bagpipes can be pretty overpowering for the processional in an enclosed space.  You want the focus to be you, not the bagpipes.  I could see them used for the recessional though.  Although, if your ceremony is outside, it might not seem so overpowering.  If that's what you want, it would definitely be special, so go for it!

  

  Report0 Reply
• Jammies930

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  I'm planning on having one bagpiper play outside the church while guests are walking in, and then he's playing again after the recessional (again--outside). 
  Then, I'm having three pipers and one drummer play at the reception as well.
  
  I wasn't considering having the pipes during the ceremony itself, until I heard this amazing version of "trumpet voluntary" - played on the bagpipes, and then I fell in love with it.  Now, I'm grappling with deciding whether it would be too overpowering to walk down the aisle to "bagpipe voluntary"...My thought was that the bagpiper could stand in the very back of the church and not necessarily walk down the aisle before my father and me--maybe that would make it less-overpowering?  Not sure what the plan is right now.
  
  Anyhow, the guys who are playing at my wedding are from FDNY Emerald Society (and are friends of my father).  Have you considered asking any fire departments that have pipe/drum bands?

  

  Report0 Reply
• kls114 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  Ditto to Carrie! I went to a wedding where they had bagpippers and it was such a great touch!!
  
  Anything that showcases your culture or personalities is always a phenomenial touch!

  ~Miss.~
  ~Mrs.~
  **Password: kls114**
  
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• ZoeTheDog

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  I just said this in the previous thread about ceremony musicians, but try gigmasters.com. 

  Report0 Reply
• mlmcbeth

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  Thanks for all of the tips!

  Report0 Reply