Pipers I need some help with Wedding music

[sean_cummings]

I am getting married in Sept and the wife to be and I will be meeting with our piper some time next week. My question is this. What music is appropriate to be played at a wedding? When should we have him playing? Walking in the church, out of the church, as we drive away? I figure we have a lot of piper on the forum who can point us in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
Sean

[cajuncelt]

Sean,
The pipes should be kicked in in 3 different places during the wedding. Here are a few tunes I recommend:
1) Bridesmades etc -- Highland Cathedral
2) Bride's entrance -- Loch Rannoch
3) Recessional -- Bonnie Dundee/Muckin'
Also,
Skye Boat Song, Mhairi's Wedding, Mrs. Hamilton of Pitcaithlands, Carlingford Loch, Rab's Wedding and Lady Dorothea Stewart's Wedding March are a few more great wedding tunes.
Good luck,
Jim

[Prester John]

Silver Wings is a great beginning to any procession.

Highland Cathedral, Murdo's Wedding, even the Bridal March.

Don't make it too complicated. I've done who knows how many weddings...seek beauty, not perfection.

When my son was married last year, our 12 yr old piper played Highland Cathedral, Lord Lovatt's Lament, Silver Wings, Murdo's Wedding, and Scotland the Brave at different parts before and after the service and at the reception.

It was a huge hit, especially being piped into the Reception (to Silver Wings, incidentally!). They got a standing ovation for it...not bad for one little piper!

[Yaish]

At my wedding the Piper played Amazing Grace before the entrance, as a lament for those who could not be there.
For the Groomsmen entrance he played the Marines Hymn (I'm a Marine) and for the Bridesmaids and Bride he played Highland Cathedral.
I cant remember the name, but he had another song he played on our way out.

I'd suggest you ask the piper you choose to suggest songs. I'd also suggest you ask someone who has played weddings before, so as to not have to further worry about his nervousness on your big day.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

I recommend Darth vaders theme when the bride walks down the Isle!! DUM DUM DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM DEE DUM (jk)

we had Highland cathedral for our processional. and thats about it

its really up to you on what you want... I say listen to a bunch of pipe music, and +see what grabs you!

heck you may find you prefer mist covered mountains onthe way in and Cullen bay on the way out! you never know till you hear the tune!

good luck and let us know what you decide.

KFP


ps.
if the piper is good, what ever you decide he should be able to play...i have kicked off gigs to other pipers because I didnt feel I could play the tune up to the standards I ( and they) expect. dont let him try and talk you out of tunes saying " well thats not somthing normally played at a wedding" you pay the piper....you call the tune! and get a recital before the big day, comparing how he plays to a CD......mind you he may play it a little differently, arrangments(sp) being what they are there my be different embellishments, gracings and how he inturprets(sp) the music.....but you SHOULD be able to recognize the tune.

hope this helps,
KFP

[Rampant Lion]

I recommend Darth vaders theme when the bride walks down the Isle!! DUM DUM DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM DEE DUM (jk)

I suggested that to my wife for our wedding... we had Han and Leia action figures as our cake toppers. She didn't go for the Imperial March though.

[masonpiper]

As a piper and one your just got married a month ago, this is still fresh in my mind, I had to use recorded music as every piper in town went over the hill to Sacramento(woodland) the day of my wedding (gobshites they are).
Lesson make sure your piper(s) really check their calendars before you book them.

I did Highland Cathedral as the processional, Amazing Grace at my brides request as incidental, next break was Ode to Joy/Simple Gifts and Mari's Wedding for the recessional

all the advice is very good, your piper might also have some sets worked up for different types of weddings. Mine was out doors at a state park in Reno, so we kept the ceremony short and simple. I have done full high mass weddings and had 3 or 4 full sets and some "pretty pieces" to go along. Talk alot with your Bride and know what you want and see what the piper can offer to go great with that.

congratulation and besh to both of you
Piper

[sean_cummings]

Actually she is a huge StarWars fan. She might go for the DUM DUM DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM DEE DUM. Thanks for the advice. I will let her know all of your ideas.

[GlassMan]

We told our piper that we didn't want the same old thing that everyone uses, and he suggested Scotland's Welcome to the King of Norway for the processional. It was amazing.

[highlander_Daz]

I Normally play whatever the bride asks for ! but normally AMazing Grace/highland cathedral/Scotland the brave/Flower of Scotland make an appearance

congrats by the way