Weddings

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The Great Highland Bagpipes are fitting at any Wedding ceremony whether it be a Church, Cathedral, Hall or even outdoors. There is nothing like a beach Wedding as the Bagpipes echo with the sound of the waves. 

When adding a bagpiper at a wedding, many people are unfamiliar with the traditions or options they may have. We have taken a moment to outline the most popular of traditions and options.

In maximizing the services of a bagpiper at a wedding service, reception, or even a rehearsal dinner, a few main factors should be considered. Where and when should the piper play; and what tunes are the best fit? Typically a bagpiper plays outside the church or hall, at the reception, even at the rehearsal

The following are quick suggestions for incorporating bagpipes into a wedding celebration.

• Outside as guests arrive
• Precede the bride into the hall or church
• Precede the bridal party into the hall or church
• Play one or more selections at some point during the service
• Pipe the newlyweds out of the church or hall
• Play at the end of the service as the guests leave
• Play outside the church or hall as the guests leave
• Welcome the newlywed couple into the reception
• Provide entertainment music for the reception

 The following provides some suggestions based on the location based on tradition. There is flexibility depending on the desires of the soon to be Newlyweds.

At your ceremony ~

Prior to the Service ~ Pipe tunes as guests arrive to create an air of joy and happiness, adding class from the moment they arrive. Additionally, the piper would be on scene and prepared to meet a bridal party, if appropriate and start the processional of the service.

During the Service ~ Bagpipe music can be used throughout the service as the couple desires. One or more selections, such as Amazing Grace during the candle lighting, is appropriate during the service. You should consult your pastor or officiant to be sure.

At the end of the Service ~ The piper can lead the newlyweds back down the aisle and out the door of the church. If the couple desires, the piper can play near the door as the guests leave. Additionally, a piper can stand nearby the entrance of a reception if it follows the service.

After the Service ~ When the service concludes, the piper will usually play an upbeat tune as the guests leave the chapel. Of course you should info the piper if there are plans for a receiving line.

Tune suggestions ~ Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace are perhaps the best-known, and most popular, tunes performed on the Great Highland Bagpipe. However, there is a vast repertoire of appropriate music for wedding services. Hymns and Marches are the most appropriate type of music to play for a processional where 6/8 Marches, Reels, or Jigs with their upbeat swing make excellent recessional pieces. In addition songs of any nature may be performed during the service if requested.

Here is a list of tunes commonly played at weddings. 

• Ode to Joy
• SImple Gifts
• Highland Cathedral
• Highland Wedding
• As She Moved Through the Faire
• Our Lady of Knock
• The Skye Boat Song
• The Minstrel Boy
• Wearing of the Green
• Wedding March ~ Lohengrin R. Wagner
• Canon in D
• Flower of Scotland
• O' Danny Boy
• When Irish Eyes are Smiling
• Murdo's Wedding
• Bonnie Dundee
• The Sleeping Tune
• Mist Covered Mountains
• The Water is Wide (When a Piper Plays)
• Amazing Grace
• Scotland the Brave

Many other special requests for music can usually be accommodated. However, it must be noted that the Bagpipe is not a fully chromatic instrument. A highly qualified professional musician should inform a couple if their musical request may sound different than they might expect due to this. However, all requests should and can be accommodated whenever possible. The individual needs of the couple should always be taken into consideration.