Bagpipers are becoming more and more popular at English weddings. As a bagpiper of 15 years experience I find that many people who book me to play are unsure of what the role is of the piper at a wedding, when it is necessary for him to play and what tunes are suitable. This article briefly summarises what is traditionally expected.

The Ceremony

The bagpiper traditionally pipes guests in and out the ceremony playing medleys of traditional Scottish marches including Scotland The Brave, Maries Wedding, The Barren Rocks of Aden, The Green Hills of Tyrol and Bonnie Soldier, etc. It is also traditional but not always custom for the piper to pipe the bride down the aisle, maybe play during the signing of the register and then pipe the newlywed couple out of the ceremony. In my experience the bride has always had a tune in mind for being piped down the aisle and that tune has generally been Flower Of Scotland. If I'm asked to play during the signing of the registar it almost always Flower of Scotland, Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral or The Skye Boat Song.

During Photos

The next point of call for the piper is to have him playing during the signing of the photos (usually in the background). Traditionally what the piper plays is at his discrepancy and will include medleys of marches, jigs and reels to entertain guests with. It is often required of the piper to pose in several photos, usually just with the bride and groom and any photos of just men wearing kilts.

The Wedding Breakfast

The piper is not always required to play at the wedding breakfast but if he does it is traditional for him to pipe in the guests and then pipe the bride and groom to the top table and be presented with a whiskey for doing so. The tune he will pipe the bride and groom in with is usually one that will get guests clapping. Scotland the Brave never fails or the Black Bear and neither does more jiggy numbers such as Cock of the North and The Glendural Highlanders.

Circulated by Weddings Direct