Having the Pipes at your wedding

There is so much a piper can do at a wedding...

• Pipe when the guests arrive at the church, pipe when the bride arrives.

• Pipe when the bride/groom come out of church after the service and while the photo's are been taken.

• Pipe when the guests/bride and groom arrive at the reception and then usually pipe the couple into the bridal table.

You can ask for the piper to play all day if you want, or you may just want the pipes to be at the church and briefly at reception, everyone has different ideas, but we are here to help and make your big day special to all those concerned.

Playing At The Ceremony
Before the Ceremony - This is actually a very good time to have the piper play. If the majority of the guests are expected to arrive within a short period of time, say 15-20 minutes before the ceremony starts, then a piper can be used quite effectively to greet them.
During the Service - The processional is a popular choice to have a piper play. This can include a change in tune/ break in the music before the bride is piped down the aisle. The piper can either lead the processional(s) by playing himself up the isle where he will end up standing off to one side of the church or ceremonial site (usually to the far right of the groomsmen), or he can stand near the back of the isle (front of church) while playing. Using the piper to play in the groom and his attendents is quite effective if a more traditional organ or other instrumental bridal processional is prefered.

The Recessional comes at the end of the ceremony when the piper will either lead the couple and attendants back down the isle, or play them down the isle from the back of the ceremonial site.

After the Ceremony - The bagpiper can continue to play outside of the church or ceremonial site as the guests are exiting. The playing can go on for approximately 15-20 minutes while waiting for the receiving line to complete, or while photos inside the church are being taken. The piper usually doesn't play while photos of the newlyweds and family are being taken outside the church. However, once the photos are completed and the rice is thrown, the bagpiper can now begin to play a fast and lively tune while the couple prepares to leave. If the reception is being held in a different location, the piper usually plays as the guests are leaving for the reception. If however, the piper is asked to play for the arrival of the guests at the reception, he will need to leave soon after the ceremony to arrive at the reception location before the guests.

Playing At The Reception
Pre Dinner Drinks (approximately 1 hour)- This can be a perfect time for the bagpipes to be played as there is generally very little other entertainment provided for guests.
At the Reception - There are other prime moments during the reception for a bagpiper to play. The most common and appropriate use of a piper at the reception, is to announce the arrival of the wedding party, and pipe them all in. A quick musical florish before the speeches, or just prior to the cake-cutting can also be a great attention getter. If the piper is sharing the entertainment with another band, or a D.J., he can play for a few minutes just prior to the change-over. He can also play during the other band's or D.J.'s breaks (each usually about 15 minutes).

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