Bagpiper at wedding

[stitchfan18]

DF wants to have a bagpiper at our wedding since his grandparents and parents had one at theirs. I like the idea, but I don't want to have to pay $300 for one song. I would love to maybe incorporate bagpipes as our main music for the wedding, but can't quite envision how that is going to sound. Does anyone know of a website or somewhere where I can find samples of wedding bagpipe music?

 

[RangerPooh]

I don't know if you have to go through Disney for this but we had a bagpiper at our DLR wedding. We used an outside vendor and he sent us a sample of his music. We actually got a disk of 11 songs that he usually plays at weddings to listen to and select from for our ceremony. So maybe you could seek out vendors and ask for samples of heir music or see if Disney will provide a sample prior to you settling on it. I don't have any other suggestions but perhaps try iTunes.

 

[stitchfan18]

I didn't even think about asking the vendors themselves, or disney if they had any sample music. Silly me, thanks for your help!

 

[RangerPooh]

You're welcome

 

[PrincessLinds]

I can certainly appreciate your concerns about the $300 charge for the Disney bagpiper. My father actually plays the bagpipes, and he occasionally does weddings here in Connecticut. But he charges $500 a ceremony because he's really REALLY good (I'm not just saying that cause he's my dad haha), so I just want you to be forewarned. I have no idea what other pipers might charge, but because a live bagpiper can be hard to find (let's face it, it's not exactly a common skill), they do tend to be fairly expensive.

I would suggest when you talk to your fiance, share your concerns about the cost of the Disney bagpiper, and then see about checking the internet for Orlando-based bagpipers. (Also make sure Disney will allow an outside piper!) If they turn out to be similar in cost, then evaluate just how important it is to your fiance, and if you both decide it's a high priority, try to find a couple less important areas where you can shave some of the costs to balance it out.

I really hope this is helpful, and just remember, whether you end up with a bagpiper or not, it's still going to be a really special day for you both!

 

[poohface]

Thanks for asking this as it is something that I was thinking about surprising DF with.

 

[redz]

Disney have no problem with "outsiders" playing, my nephew is a grade 1 piper here in Scotland, and we asked disney when we booked our DFTW if they would have any objections to him piping at our wedding, they said there was no problem with it and they looked forward to hearing it,

Go for it, it fair makes your blood pump when you hear a piper!!!

 

[Peachie158]

Hi. Here's an alternate suggestion... We were married July 05 and my husband really wanted bag pipes at our ceremony, too. Our event planner suggested the theme from Braveheart ("A Gift of Thistle") for the men to walk down the aisle at the WP. He played a recording of the organist doing it with the organ set on bag pipes. Then, we went to hear it live in the WP. My husband was fine with that and it really sounded amazing and was no extra charge. I know, not exactly the same but a fantastic substitute! Lots of luck!

 

[lurkyloo]

I just went to a wedding with a bagpiper last weekend - it was awesome! He was the only musician for the whole ceremony, and he played a LOT - 10 minutes before the wedding, the processional, a song in the middle, and the recessional.

My fella was so impressed, I may end up with a bagpiper at *my* wedding!

 

[poohface]

I just for an email back from my WC telling me that the cost for a piper is $550+. I am a bit disappointed as I really wanted to surprise DF with this.

 

[RangerPooh]

I just for an email back from my WC telling me that the cost for a piper is $550+. I am a bit disappointed as I really wanted to surprise DF with this.

IOf you really wnat to suprise your DF then start looking around the Orlando area for bagpipers. Ask what they charge for a wedding ceremony and if you could ahve a smapling of their music prior to hiring them. We just plugged in something to the effect of LA bagpipers/SoCal bagpipers, etc and went doen the lits until we found one that we liked.

 

[RangerPooh]

Another route is to attend/contact someone about Irish/Scottish/Celtic events or games (we called them highland games) and see if they can recommend someone. Or if you are able to attend an event ask the piper himself. Either himself or someone he knows might be of assistance to you. HTH.

 

[poohface]

Thanks for this Keri, I will have a look into it today.

 

[bagpiper]

Bagpipes can be a wonderful addition to a wedding and can be played at time on during the wedding. The is nothing like having your guests warmly greeted by a bagpiper as they are arriving to your wedding. You can include the bagpipes directly into the ceremony by having the piper play the processional and/or recessional music. The most popular choice would is to have the piper play for 15 minutes before the ceremony as the guests are arriving and for 30-45 minutes directly after ceremony during the receiving line.

As far as pricing is concerned, the piper will view playing one tune or 30 minutes of tunes exactly the same. It will take the piper the same amount of time to prepare for either performance. At least from my personal experience, weddings usually never start on time, so instead of having the piper wait around to play one tune, have the piper entertain your guests by playing before the ceremony. This also allows the piper to keep the bagpipes in perfect tune.


It helps to select a bagpiper who lives nearby the event location when looking to keep the fees within your budget.