Nathan Roberts

Question: Why have a piper at your event? Answer: Because having a piper will add that special, unforgettable something that you're looking for!

Pipers have been entertaining guests at weddings, banquets and parties for centuries. By hiring a piper to play for your special day, you will be carrying on a cultural tradition that is prevalent in many countries throughout the Old World. Your guests will be surprised and delighted when they hear the haunting, melodic, and beautiful tones of a well-played instrument.

You needn't have Scottish or Irish affiliation to have a piper at your wedding. Indeed, bagpipes are often played at multi-ethnic weddings to the enjoyment of all. A professional piper will cause your special event, wedding, or party to be remembered and talked about for years!

Here are some suggestions here on how to use a piper at a wedding. Much of the time my clients know what they want, the rest decide after I talk them through the options. I'm typically asked to play at one or several of the following key locations and times:

• Outside the church or ceremony site as guests arrive
• For the groom and/or his party
• During the Processional for the bride and/or her party
• A special selection at some point during the ceremony
• During the Recessional for the couple after the ceremony
• Entertain during the receiving line and/or photographs after the ceremony
• Play the couple to the limousine after the receiving line and/or photographs
• Perform outside the reception party as guests arrive
• Pipe-in the couple to the reception party
• Entertain During Cocktail Hour
• At the Reception
• Play for the couple's first dance

Now it wouldn't be wise to employ a piper at ALL the possible times–that would be too much of a good thing! You'll need to carefully consider what kind of atmosphere you want and decide how best to deploy your very own piper.