Weddings

Weddings

Weddings are very time consuming to organize - by hiring a bagpiper with Tom's experience, it's one less thing to worry about.

· Participation at 100's of weddings/receptions
· All denominations served
· All ceremony types and locations accommodated
· Professional, Quality, Dependable service
· Experienced consultation on use of pipes and tune selection(s)
· Reasonable rates

Participation

Although Tom has participated in 100's of weddings since 1983 he continues to approach each wedding with the importance the special day requires. Every wedding is important to the participants so Tom works hard to enhance the importance by providing professional service from initial contact to completion of his participation.

Tom prides himself on the following key elements of professional service:

Dependable - Tom has never missed a performance or been late since 1983. If an emergency prohibits his participation, Tom will find a comparable substitute from his numerous bagpiping contacts at no additional expense to the client.

Quality - Tom pays particular attention to the details from tuning the bagpipe to appearing in proper attire to performance presentation.

Fair Pricing - Tom believes it should not cost a small fortune to hire a bagpiper for a wedding. He strives to maintain fair and competitive rates.

Commitment to excellence - Tom strives to make the hiring of his bagpiping services as easy as possible with very little attention required by the bride or groom. By doing his part it's one less thing for the bride and groom to worry about. His flexible attitude makes working with him very easy and pleasant.

Denominations

Over the years Tom has had the opportunity to participate in ceremonies of many denominations. He has respect for the ceremony and traditions of every religion. Tom's bagpiping experience allows him to better serve the client by easily adapting the use of bagpipes to the ceremonial aspects of the religion. Although Tom will serve any denomination, he has served the following to date:

*Protestant
*Catholic
*Jewish
*Church of the Disciples/Christ
*Baptist
*Greek Orthodox

Ceremonies and Locations

Each wedding ceremony and location is unique and requires the expertise of an experienced bagpiper. Using his bagpiping experience Tom has the ability to adapt to the type of ceremony the client has chosen to wed. From the non-traditional justice of the peace on a cliff overlooking the ocean to the traditional church ceremony, Tom has done it. Certain wedding ceremonies and/or religious sanctuaries do not allow non-secular music to be played. This does not mean pipes can not be part of the special day, it means other options will need to be considered such as hearing the pipes before or after the ceremony outside the sanctuary or at the reception.

In addition, wedding ceremonies performed in a location other than a religious sanctuary or the reception location may have sound level restrictions that bagpipes exceed so other options would need to be explored. Depending on the circumstances the solution could be as simple as sounding the pipes outdoors with the sound of the pipes drifting in. Using Tom's experience, in most circumstances a satisfactory resolution can be found. Tom advises clients to verify with the wedding ceremony and reception location personnel that bagpipes are acceptable and if any restrictions require consideration.

Use of bagpipes at the wedding ceremony and/or reception:

Tom's belief is the wedding day is the bride and groom's day. Anything he can do with his participation to make that day even more special is his goal. Based on his extensive bagpiping experience he does have suggestions as to what part(s) of the ceremony the pipes make the best contributions. These are only suggestions as he prides himself in respecting the wishes of the bride and groom.

Prior to ceremony - A piper dressed in kilt and sounding the bagpipes in front of the wedding location for 10 - 15 minutes prior to the service can be a impressive way to welcome guests.

Lighting the candles - A piper playing as the candles are lit can be a lovely way to start the ceremony

Seating of the families - A piper standing or leading the families down the aisle to their seats can be a prestigious way to introduce the families' entrance

Groomsmen entrance -The groom and groomsmen entering to the sound of the pipes with the piper either standing or leading can be an excellent way to present the groom and his groomsmen.

Bridal party entrance - The sound of the pipes with either the piper standing or leading the bride's maids, maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl can be a beautiful and prestigious way to introduce the lovely bridal party. If the piper leads down the aisle the first person following should follow at least 20 feet behind the piper so the piper does not impede any camera angles.

Bride's entrance - A piper standing or leading the bride down the aisle with the pipes sounding is a tremendous way to make a grand entrance. If the piper leads the bride down the she should follow at least 20 feet behind the piper so the piper does not impede any camera angles.

Unity candle - As the bride and groom light the unity candle the pipes sounding in the background can be a nice touch

Exiting the ceremony - This is the most popular use of the pipes at a wedding. The piper either stands or leads the bride and groom with a lively pipe tune down the aisle. The pipes continue as the wedding party, families and guests exit.

After the ceremony - As the guests exit and congregate the pipes sounding can provide background music and picture opportunities for the guests. No more than 10 - 15 minutes of music is recommended.

Pictures - Tom can also make himself available for the wedding pictures following the ceremony. The bride or groom should make this request prior to the wedding day so Tom will be available.

Wedding Reception:

Cocktail hour - A piper dressed in kilt playing the pipes welcoming guests as they arrive and/or background music as guests converse. It is recommended that the piper keep the length of the sets short (5-10 minutes every 15-20 minutes) and play in a large room or outside.

Newlywed entrance - This is the most popular use of the pipes at the reception. Once the newlyweds have been announced they make a grand entrance with the piper leading them into the reception. The piper leads the couple to their table. The newlyweds should follow at least 10 feet behind the piper so the piper does not impede any camera angles.

Entertainment - During dinner or the time that follows a piper could provide musical sets of entertainment. This is usually best done if a highland dancer is hired to dance to the pipe music.