Quote Originally Posted by AFS1970 View Post
Also make sure that your choice of pipes is OK with the wedding venue. Then double check and triple check that over and over again.

At my wedding, I spoke with the church about music, both because I wanted the piper and because they had given my wife and I an itemized list of the charges that included a singer we did not want. Since our wedding was not going to include a mass, there really was little need for the organist either. Well I though everything was OK, the piper met us at the front of the church. I let him pick to music (although I still question one choice as I think of it more as a funeral song). I requested one song, which he played with no problem.

However at the start of the ceremony, here I am at the altar, I see my wife (well not quite yet) at the back of the church, and then I hear the organ start up with the wedding march. I have no idea why that happened. However the organist quickly got the message when the pipes started up and drowned out the organ (Epic win!!!). Throughout the ceremony I was then treated to the signer, who's choice of a Broadway show tune seemed out of place in church to me. The organist had the good sense not to try and compete at the end for the recessional.

So take my story as a warning. Make sure all the details are worked out well in advance. Oh and remember that if you can survive your own wedding, then nothing can harm your marriage.
wow that sounds like a nightmare!

Arent pipes pretty loud for the actual ceremony, though? How did you guys handle such an intense instrument? I dont want to blow any eardrums or scare any guests. lol. I wasnt lying when I said the pipes vibrate like a life force in my blood. They are so loud and intense.

I also dont want my wedding to be "Scottish themed." Mr. Meghan will not be in a kilt, and the groomsmen would be in tartan ties instead. I will have on a simple rosette. I wanted to tie in a few simple Scottish/Irish things so that they make an appearance, but do not take over the entire theme of the wedding. The theme is winter lodge style (which tartan ties fit beautifully in since they look warm). That being said, I worry about having a bagpipe at the actual ceremony. What do you guys think? Do you think it's too loud? too intense? just right (I know this question is bound to bring up a LOT of bias answers. lol. considering the crowd). I guess I would have to listen to a bagpipe not hooked up to a microphone on stage to get a real sense of how it sounds.