Skip to main content
Weddings
ARE YOU A VENDOR?
Chicalba Bagpiping Services
Chicalba Bagpiping Services
Bagpiper at church
Bagpiper at church
Playing the bagpipe
Playing the bagpipe
Woodwind instrument
Woodwind instrument
Bagpiper
Bagpiper
The musician playing at an event
The musician playing at an event
Dramatic shot
Dramatic shot
Bagpiper leading a band
Bagpiper leading a band

Interested in this vendor?

Chicalba Bagpiping Services

About

Chicalba Bagpiping Services is a full-time, professional bagpiping business based in Chicago. This group of wedding musicians is managed by Dave Johnston, a former Double World Champion and Glasgow-trained bagpiper with over 30 years of experience playing and teaching. Chicalba Bagpiping Services has played at over 800 weddings and will expertly entertain, evoke powerful emotions and enhance the ambience of your wedding celebration.

Services Offered
Chicalba Bagpiping Services provides professional bagpiping performances and teaching throughout Chicago and its suburbs. Their bagpipers are available for weddings and other special events, such as funerals, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, sporting events, corporate events, educational demonstrations and private parties. They offer three primary wedding packages, but packages can be customized based on your event needs. Event services offered include the following:

  • Pre-ceremony musical entertainment
  • Processional music
  • Recessional music
  • Background music
  • Cocktail hour entertainment
  • Wedding introductions
  • Reception entertainment
  • Custom song requests and playlists
  • Additional bagpipers and drummers

Areas Covered
This business is based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and serves the larger Chicagoland area. Dave Johnston and the musical group will travel to serve northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin.

illustration popular

Vendors you may like

See other vendors that are popular with couples right now

Jim Perona
Jim Perona and his guitar
Jim Perona on his guitar
Jim Perona playing music
Jim Perona
5.0 (218) ·
Wheaton, IL
$1,000 starting price

Award winner

Brass String Chamber Ensemble
TheBSCE
BSCE at Danada House
BSCE @ Lake Forest Academy
Brass String Chamber Ensemble
4.9 (24) ·
Naperville, IL
$600 starting price

Award winner

The Wedding Serenade
Enchanting Fairytale Serennade
Lyric Dedication Scroll
Sheet Music Excerpt Keepsake
The Wedding Serenade
South Elgin, IL
$1,000 starting price
Ryan Argast
Playing Riot Fest
On Warped Tour
Headlining House of Blues
Ryan Argast
Plainfield, IL
$1,500 starting price
Chicago Elegant Piano
Playing WIPA ErikaAileen Photo
Playing at NACE in Chicago
Chicago Elegant Piano
Chicago Elegant Piano
5.0 (1) ·
Highland Park, IL

Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Learn New Songs
Reception Music
Travel Expenses

What ceremony music arrangements can you provide?

Instrumental - Solo
Instrumental - Duo
Instrumental - Trio

How many musicians are in your band(s)?

1 - 3
4 - 6

What instruments does your group play?

Drums

What services do you provide?

Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Learn New Songs
Liability Insurance
Reception Music
Rehearsal Dinner Music
Sample Performances

Reviews of Chicalba Bagpiping Services

Write a review
Write a review
A
Ally Sent on 06/30/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We used Chicalba for our wedding and Joe was excellent! He was incredibly talented, and the guests loved having bagpipe music as we recessed and for our grand exit out of the church. Having a bagpiper at the end of our ceremony is a family tradition and Joe did not disappoint. Dave was also very organized in getting us set-up for our big day. Thank you, Chicalba Bagpiping, for making our ceremony so special!
D
Dave Sent on 08/12/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Dave Johnson deserves a lot of praise for the very special day he helped make for my daughters wedding.

They had 1 piper and 1 drummer playing background music for a short time outside the church after the ceremony

There were so many comments about how good the guys were, The pipes and drums were awesome! My daughter loved it and so did all the people that attended the wedding.

Everyone loved their choice of music and how upbeat and fun it was for everyone.

My daughter was so happy she could hear the pipes and drums in the back of the church after the wedding while everyone was waiting outside and the wedding party was getting pictures taken, it was awesome!!!

Thanks to Dave for making their special day more special!! I would recommend Chicalba bag piping to anyone, very professional, flexible and accommodating and the cost is very reasonable.
T
Tracie Sent on 09/28/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Dave was so great. He was so friendly and easy to work with. Dave is very responsive and able to adapt to different crowds of people.

He performed at my cocktail hour at the Irish American Heritage Center for my wedding in front of the guests. Everyone had such amazing things to say! He was so nice to interact with and the music was wonderful.

I cannot thank him enough! He really was an absolutely amazing addition to our celebration!
J
Jacqueline Sent on 04/14/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Dave from Chicalba Bagpiping was the best to work with! He was able to play ceremony music at our wedding St. Patrick's day weekend and it made the our day even more special. We are still getting compliments from people that were at our wedding about the bagpipes and how beautiful it sounded. I highly recommend Chicalba for your wedding or any special event!!!
U
User1031423 Sent on 11/29/2012
5 out of 5 rating
Dave at Chicalba Bagpiping did an amazing job at our wedding. We had him surprise guests by appearing at the back of the church during the recession. He snuck in un noticed and then belted out joyous tunes. The music was beautiful and was such a fun touch. Dave also stuck around long after the ceremony to take pictures and even play another song as we boarded the trolley (after doing a long receiving line!). All of our guests were so impressed- as were we! Also, before the wedding Dave sent us a CD of some of his different songs so we could pick out the ones we wanted him to play. He also asked our wedding colors so he could match his kilt! Sooo thoughtful! I would highly recommend using Chicalba Bagpiping!
M
Mary Sent on 08/23/2011
5 out of 5 rating
I thought I hated bagpipes because I associated them with police and firemen funnerals. My husband begged to have bagpipes at our wedding. I am so glad we did. Dan played beautifully (nothing funneral like), he was easy to work with and very accomidating to a bagpipe ignorant person like myself. All of my guests enjoyed his music and I am so glad he was part of our ceremony.
Michelle
Michelle Sent on 09/21/2010
5 out of 5 rating
If you want a talented bagpiper dont look any further! He is truly amazing.
U
User1239603 Sent on 07/13/2013
4 out of 5 rating
Dave was wonderful! Added a truly special touch to our ceremony with his bagpipes. Easy to work with, showed up on time, and had a great sense of humor. He is one of the most skilled bagpipers available to play in the Chicagoland area, and trains police and fire department bagpipers all throughout the Midwest. Very talented man! We were lucky to have him play our wedding.
S
Shirley/Willis Sent on 08/15/2022
1.2 out of 5 rating

Our Dishonest, Unfair Birthday Performance

Our experience was not for a wedding; it was for a beloved sister that we couldn't attend her surprise birthday celebration; which means it was of utmost importance that our order of requests be granted. Not only were our requests ignored/disrespected - except the performer read our message & played happy birthday to my sister. The performance was less than 5 minutes but my husband had been told by the owner/boss beforehand that performance would be between 15-20 minutes. The boss informed us after the fact (of payment w/tip to perfomer) that some of our requests weren't a "pipe tune" but they made no prior effort with us to negotiate any tunes suitable for bagpipe beforehand. The owner made claims that he never responded or proved even after we requested him to do so. The performer made accusations that he couldn't prove against my sister's guests/audience. Even though we contacted the owner/boss and the performer of our displeasure/disappointments, to date neither has responded to us.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

9

Explore other vendors in your area

Find the most recommended vendors and Couples' Choice Award winners.

See vendors

Map

Addresses map
Ceremony Music Chicago Suburbs
Ceremony Music Glen Ellyn
Next Wedding Musicians: PiperShire

Other vendors in Chicago Suburbs for your wedding

Wedding Vendors