Pipers at weddings

[Iain Robb]

Well, my daughter had a request for the pipers for her processional: Pachelbel's Canon.

Fortunately, she and my son-in-law had the good fortune of being in a pipe band at the time of their wedding, and the pipe major and three others played it free of charge.

So if you want to make requests, and get pipes for less, I guess, join a pipe band!

[AFS1970]

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.

[Meggers]

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.

[crew2447]

The bagpipes produce room filling sound. If your wedding is in a church or cathedral the pipes will sound wonderful. If you're getting married in a little chapel or at a bed and breakfast, your guests may get blasted out of the room. In that case consider having the piper play outdoors, for example piping the guests into the building.

If the wedding is to be outdoors, no problem. If you're renting the Astrodome (I've met someone who did this) consider hiring a whole pipe band.

One other thing -- the drones stick up to about 7 feet for a 6 foot tall piper. Processionals or recessionals that go through normal size doorways can be a problem for the piper.

If the venue is a small space you can also ask if the piper can play small pipes. The volume is much lower. Ask for a demonstration to see if you like the sound.

Best of luck,
Clyde

[sydnie7]

OC Richard didn't mention this, but I seem to recall a thread here about "toning down" the pipe volume (or at least tuning differently) for indoor venues. We had a piper at my mother's memorial service and frankly it seemed a bit too loud in the church for me. . . but I'm sensitive to high volumes, always bring earplugs to the movie theater where sometimes the movie running in the next theater over is too loud for me LOL

[castledangerous]

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 find this old canard hilarious. I've played pipes with a church organ on several occasions, and I can barely hear them over the organ's ten or fifteen 20-ft pipes on the wall

[Meggers]

The bagpipes produce room filling sound. If your wedding is in a church or cathedral the pipes will sound wonderful. If you're getting married in a little chapel or at a bed and breakfast, your guests may get blasted out of the room. In that case consider having the piper play outdoors, for example piping the guests into the building.

If the wedding is to be outdoors, no problem. If you're renting the Astrodome (I've met someone who did this) consider hiring a whole pipe band.

One other thing -- the drones stick up to about 7 feet for a 6 foot tall piper. Processionals or recessionals that go through normal size doorways can be a problem for the piper.

If the venue is a small space you can also ask if the piper can play small pipes. The volume is much lower. Ask for a demonstration to see if you like the sound.

Best of luck,
Clyde

Good to know. The wedding won't be outside as it's going to be in winter and I live in Wisconsin ;) Unless I want my guests to turn into little guestsicles, they will have to be cozy indoors! My options are either a mosque (which I probably wont do as guests would have to remove their shoes and the layout of mosques are awkward for an American style wedding) or a large lodge resort type place. I would love to get married in a large beautiful lodge type place. Thats what I have my eye on. Now the trick is staying within the budget! Those places can get spendy.

By the way, if anyone wants to see my ideas and offer feedback, here's my pinterest account where I am planning some things: http://pinterest.com/mewalker2/winter-wedding-3/

OC Richard didn't mention this, but I seem to recall a thread here about "toning down" the pipe volume (or at least tuning differently) for indoor venues. We had a piper at my mother's memorial service and frankly it seemed a bit too loud in the church for me. . . but I'm sensitive to high volumes, always bring earplugs to the movie theater where sometimes the movie running in the next theater over is too loud for me LOL

Exactly. The last time I heard the bagpipes was at a Gaelic Storm concert and it was the most incredibly powerful instrument on the entire stage. I just felt the floors and walls vibrate and I was so moved to tears at how incerdible of an instrument it is. It's a fantastic instrument, but there will be little old ladies at my wedding. hahaha. I dont want them blown all the way to Illinois.

[bodhran4me]

Meggers, you had mentioned you woud leave it up to the piper to choose the tunes he played, which is probably fine. However it would be a good idea, prior to the wedding, to find out what he was going to play and when . This would give you a chance to make sure that you 1) Like the tune 2) It is appropriate. You can then use your veto vote and go with another choice.

We had two pipers, a drummer (who played what appeared to be an congo style drum, played with his hands) and a highland dancer that performed at the reception. They had performed together before and we left the music up to them aAnd it turned out to be fantastic, thanks to my darlin' wife who looked after all the details.

Whatever you chose just let the day unfold and don't worry too much about everything else. So long as you both get to the 'I will' part, the rest is gravy.

[Piper]

I noticed in an earlier post, something about the Piper being a "surprise". Since you're the Bride, I doubt that would be the case in this instance, but I'd think it would always be a bad idea to surprise the Bride at her wedding. I have piped a wedding where I was a surprise for the Bride's Father. That turned out very well.
As has been mentioned, most folks don't really know much about pipe music. When asked to play at a wedding I ask the Bride if she wants the processional/recessional (or whatever) to be stately, or sprightly, and then choose tunes accordingly. So far, that practice has worked well.

[piperdbh]

I played for a cousin's wedding two weeks ago and hated every minute of it. Here's why.
The bride (my cousin) ignored not only me, the Mrs. and the baby, but most of her other guests, too. She had an idea of when she wanted me to play, but not what. Her mother asked me for a list of tunes, which I supplied, but I never heard any response to it. There was no rehearsal dinner, which I always thought was a courtesy extended to the wedding party and guests invited from afar. The bride has yet to say, "Thanks," "I liked it," "It was pitiful," or anything at all about my playing.
All this is to say that when you find your 'piper, let him/her know ASAP what your expectations are. If you want the 'piper to pick all the tunes, say so. If you want "Mairi's Wedding" and "The 79th's Farewell to Gibraltar", say so. If you want him/her at the beginning of the ceremony and not at all thereafter, say so. And after the wedding, go over and say, "Thanks for playing for us. It was really nice."
By the way, the 'pipes are not quite as screamingly loud as I think you're imagining. If the wedding is in a big lodge with lots of over-stuffed furniture and people wearing clothes made of fabric and rugs on the floor, I think you'll be alright. You might arrange to go hear your 'piper play somewhere, and let that inform your decision.
And post pictures of the cake!