When to Have the Pipes ?

It's a personal choice, but here are a few suggestions I can offer about having a piper at the ceremony, the reception and in between.

Before the Ceremony

One suggestion that I will make will be to have the piper play for only 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. There are two very good reasons for this. Number 1 is the arrival of the guests. Number 2 - most weddings rarely get started on time. Since the arrival of guests are usually staggered an hour before the wedding, it makes sense to play when the majority of guests have arrived during this time. Keep in mind most guests will walk right past the piper on their way to their seat, this is especially true if the weather is very agreeable. If your guests are arriving at the same time (all arriving on buses, from a boat, etc.) then a piper can be used quite effectively before the start of the ceremony.

During the Ceremony

The key is to this is to limit the amount of playing. Most weddings are indoors with and the pipes are a very loud in confined spaces or where the acoustics will amplify the volume of the pipers. Also ensure that you have permission to have a piper playing inside a church. Some churches may not allow other musicians playing inside.

The Processional

Decide if you wish to have the piper march the bride down aisle or stand in the rear of the church. The piper can play for the entire wedding party as they walk down the aisle but make sure the piper has a special tune for just the bride

During the Service

If you wish to have a memorial for a loved one not present at ther wedding then remember to keep it limited to one tune. Amazing Grace or something similar is nice during the ceremony. Also if your piper has the a set of smallpipes, which have a sweeter sound with less volume, have them played during this time.

The Recessional

Instruct the piper to either walk up the aisle to meet you at the alter or stand in the rear of the church and start playing. When you arrive at the rear of the church, the piper can then slowly exit the church and continue playing outside for your guests.

The Receiving Line

Have the bagpiper start playing outside the church when the guests are exiting. The piper should play for approximately 25 - 40 minutes while waiting for the receiving line to complete. The bagpiper can briefly stop playing so the photographer can photograph the bridal party. 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.

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hours, which are sometimes left without some form of live entertainment, can be a perfect place for a bagpiper. 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.

During the Reception

The best time to have the piper(s) play is sometime after the main course has been served, usually 2 to 3 hours after the start of the reception. Don't be surprised to see your guests clapping and dancing to the pipe music. Performances should be limited to less then 20 minutes so it does not take away from your wedding.

ONE LAST NOTE ...

Musical Selections

Though there are hundreds of bagpipe tunes available, but you will be limited to what tunes the piper already knows how to play. Pipers generally have play a varied selection of popular traditional tunes that they can offer to play. It doesn't hurt to ask if a piper can play or can learn to play a tune. A simple request may be all that's needed for a piper to include a new tune in to repitoire that he has been meaning to learn.

Traditional bagpipe marches work well for both the processional and recessionals. Some great tunes to ask for are "Scotland the Brave", "Cullen Bay", and "The Rowan Tree". Ask the piper for available choices in a either 4/4 march or a 2/4 march. Pipers can play the tune over the phone for you with a practice chanter. As for as the receiving line is concerned the piper will probably play everything he knows over the course of an hour. If you are video taping the event request a favorite tune to be play when they through the "rice" and you are coming down the stairs of the church into the limo. Some great tunes to ask for "The Garry Owen", "Rakes of Mallow", "Antholl Highlanders" or "Highland Laddie". While at the reception, a waltz can be played so the bride and groom dance. A perfect tune to be play for this dance is "Those Endearing Young Charms"

About Fees

Rates will vary amongst pipers so you may have to call several pipers and shop around. Factors that will affect the price will involve travel time, amount of playing, and how soon in advance you book. One way travel times under an hour may be reasonable, but anything more that this expect to pay a little bit more. Parking fees, tolls, car ferry's should also be included. Be realistic on the amount of bagpiping you wish to hear. Bagpiping can be very strenuous over long period times. Don't expect a piper to play for hours and hours (not that your guests would want to hear them). At a typical wedding, expect about 15 minutes of piping before the ceremony with 20-40 minutes after the ceremony at the receiving line. Play time at the reception will vary on when you have the piper play (see above) If you wish to have a piper at both the wedding and reception, treat each location as a separate event. Of course some weddings the ceremony and reception are held at the same location so you can tailor the piping to your individual situation.