Weddings
A bagpiper for your wedding day
That moment when the doors open and the first notes of Amazing Grace fill the room — guests fall silent, hairs rise. That's what live bagpipes do.
Where a bagpiper fits in your wedding day
Most couples book me for one or more of these moments:
- Welcoming the guests — playing outside the venue as guests arrive (15–30 min).
- The bride's entrance — a single, perfectly timed tune. Often Highland Cathedral, Amazing Grace or Mairi's Wedding.
- After the "I do" — leading the couple out of the ceremony, often outside for the photos.
- Reception — playing the couple into the party, or a short set during drinks.
What you don't have to worry about
I arrive early, in the attire agreed beforehand for the selected package — ceremonial wedding bookings usually go for traditional kilt with D-Dress jacket — tuned and ready. I'll coordinate timing with your wedding planner, ceremony master, photographer or DJ. You won't have to think about me on the day — that's exactly the point.
Outdoor, indoor, churches, castles
The bagpipe is a loud, full-range instrument that carries beautifully outdoors and fills any church or hall without amplification. From a castle courtyard in Limburg to a city hall in Amsterdam — the sound works.
Pricing
Packages from €225 incl. VAT (approx. 10 minutes) up to €850 incl. VAT (up to 3 hours on site). Travel & time fee: €1 per minute round-trip travel time from Hedel.
Ready to make your moment unforgettable?
Reply within 24 hours, usually within 2 hours during available hours. Free, no-obligation quote · Personal advice on music and timing.
Planning bagpipes into your wedding day
At a wedding the pipes are usually used at three points: welcoming guests as they arrive, the entrance or departure of the couple, and opening the celebratory part of the day. More moments than that are rarely needed; the strength of the instrument lies in marking a transition rather than providing continuous background music.
The venue matters. Outdoors, on a driveway, in a garden or a courtyard, the pipes come into their own. Indoors they work in a church, a large hall or a historic building; in a small room the volume simply takes over. Together we choose the position that gives the strongest effect without drowning out your guests.
Music is agreed in advance. Beyond well-known tunes such as Highland Cathedral, Mairi's Wedding and Amazing Grace there is a wide repertoire that is heard less often and therefore feels more personal. A request that is not yet in the active repertoire needs at least four weeks of preparation per tune.
On the day I arrive well before the agreed moment to warm up and tune the instrument. That time is part of the attendance and does not come out of your playing moments. Your planner or master of ceremonies receives my number beforehand so nobody has to go looking on the day itself.