BAG PIPES AT A WEDDING CEREMONY

I haven't been to a wedding with bag pipes, but I think it's orginial, meaningful, and unique! I LOVE bagpipes. I think you should go for it.

I don't think I've ever been to a wedding with bagpipes, but I think it's a wonderful idea! Bagpipes don't have to be "too loud" - they can be quite beautiful. Does the piper you heard have a demo tape that you could let your FH and bridesmaid listen to, or would he be willing to play a piece for them to show them how nice it could be?

I too am having a bagpiper at my ceremony, however, I was told that it is not recommended for the bagpiper to play inside the church because of the echo. Just check with the place that your ceremony is at to make sure it is ok with them. I think it sounds fine inside, I was just not allowed to. We decided to have the bag piper play outside to welcome guests to the church and after the ceremony to keep guests entertained while we do the recession line.

My bridesmaid that is complaining heard him last night. I want to use the same guy that they used last night (he's also the same man that my group used a few weeks back). Pensacola is small. I think she just doesn't care for it. It may be something you have to have a taste for. Everytime I hear bag pipes I just get chills and hearing them back a few weeks ago got me thinking and I think I was thrown off that she wasn't as excited as I was. I've had great support from all my bridesmaids and my MOH up until this, so I'm very fortunate. I was just wondering if anyone had actually been to a wedding with them and if they liked it. I told my FH that I really felt like this is something I had to do and I didn't want to regret it later for not doing it. He wasn't exicted at first, but when he found out he could play here comes the bride he felt better about it. He's going to come to the rehearsal. We also have a pianist that is playing when the MOH, BMs and guest arrive.

Im having bagpipes at my wedding , I talked to several bagpipers and asked is it going to be very loud in the church and I was told you can have "small" pipes played that are a little softer "ullium" i think they are called not sure. But if your piper only has the big pipes they should know that it is louder if there is alot of hard surfaces, but most pipers know where to be placed so as not to make everyone deaf. I want that of in the mist far away haunting sound so mine will play from the back coridoor of church then go outside and play during ceremony and we can have that off in the distance sound I want. Just talk to the piper about it.

if you need to find some for bids go to www.gigmaster.com and punch in bagpiper and your area and you will get bids from several. Good Luck

I'm Scottish so every wedding I've been to has bagpipes and I love them- I'm having a piper too.

It is loud, but if he's a good piper then it can be very effective and really moving. It will be something different for you and will make your wedding memorable for guests too

If you FH isn't impressed now, I'm sure he will be when he actually hears it- have you considered getting a drummer too? Can be effective too!

I was part of a group with bagpipes and even did a few weddings. Because the bagpipe can be extra loud in a church, many times he would stand just outside the door and play. The sound would flow into the church and was quite pretty that way. The best thing would be to do a sound check. Every location is different. I love the idea and say go for it.

Like the posters above mentioned, the key is the bigpiper's distance from the crowd. They do sound beautiful when the sound is coming from the distance...but up close...ouch! Maybe there is something to the "small" bagpipe size...but I don't think they can turn the volume down at all

Thank you all very much for your input and I will ask him about the smaller bags. Plus he attends the church we are having the ceremony at so he'll probably know and may have already performed there. I wanted to do it before all of you replied and now I'm sold. My FH is coming around and I think he is liking the idea more now that he's had time for it to sink in. Again, thank you all.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Bag pipes can be wonderful. In fact, we had them at our wedding! Our friend, Paul McCue http://paulvmccue.webs.com (listed on WeddingWire) played outside as the guests arrived. One of my students played the prelude and processional on harp but Paul piped us out and then into the reception. It was fabulous! There are various kinds of pipes appropriate to different settings. Your piper will be able to tell you about them and advise you. They are very festive especially for any one of Irish or Scottish decent. "Scotland the Brave" is wonderful for the recessional or you might prefer an Irish Tune like "Give Me Your Hand". There is a long list of Celtic Tunes on our web-site at www.sneddonandsneddon.com. Please give us a visit!

Have a wonderful wedding!

Bill and Margaret Sneddon

SNEDDON & SNEDDON - Harp and Flute

"Celtic or Classical Music to Enliven any Event"

www.sneddonandsneddon.com