Weddings – A Memorable and Joyous Event
The sound of Bagpipes, as guests arrive at your wedding, is a clear statement that an exciting and major event is about to take place. Listed below are only suggestions or guidelines to help you decide your needs. We have been doing weddings for over 45 years. With that many years of experience, we can provide insight in making your wedding successful. Even if you do not hire us, we would be happy to consult with you on any part of your wedding plans.
We always have two sets of Bagpipes. The Great Highland Bagpipes (GHP) and Fireside Bagpipes. The GHP are the Bagpipes most people are familiar with. These are great for “open space” areas, whereas the Fireside Bagpipers were developed specifically for “close space” areas.
Before the Service
- Outside as guests arrive
- In the lobby using Fireside Bagpipes
- In the main church as guests are being seated, using Fireside Bagpipes
Processional
- Pipe in the groom and/or groomsmen
- Pipe in Parents/family
- Pipe in the bride and/or bridesmaids
.
During Service
- Lighting of the Unity Candle or presentation of flowers
Recessional
- Piping the new bride, groom, bridal party and/or guests out
- Piping outside as guests depart
At the Reception
- Piping outside as guests arrive
- Piping the bride, groom and/or bridal party into the reception
During the Reception
- 15-20 minutes sets of performances during dinner
- Performances throughout the reception allowing people to rest between dances.
Highland/Irish Dancers
- We can provide Highland and/or Irish Dancers to preform while your guests are enjoying their dinner.
Planning for a Wedding and Reception
Wedding Day Timeline
Preceremony
-2 Hours Before Start
- Bride, Bridesmaids, Parents arrive at wedding site.
-1.5 Hours Before Start
Photos of:
- Bride getting into dress.
- Mother of Bride buttoning dress.
- First Look: Bride and Father of Bride.
- Bride and Bridesmaids Photos.
-45 Minutes Before Start
- Hide Bride in bridal suite
- ALL family, bridesmaids, groomsmen are requested to help ensure groom does not see the bride before the ceremony.
- Bagpiper arrives. There should be an area where the bagpiper can warm and tuneup the instrument.
- Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers arrive.
- Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers photos, putting on suit jackets.
- Verify wedding rings available.
-35 Minutes Before Start
- Ushers take positions
- Groomsmen assist Ushers once photos are complete.
- Distribute programs
- Ask “friend or family or Groom or Bride?”
- Leave 2-3 rows for family ONLY on the left and right side.
- From back facing front – Bride family and friends on left side.
- Groom family and friends on the right side.
- Try to prevent gaps in seating
-30 Minutes Before Start
- Bagpiper begins piping outside as guest arrive.
-20 Minutes Before Start
- Guest start to arrive
Ceremony Starts
Piper plays “Hieian Laddie”
As Groom and Pastor slowly walk down the aisle to center stage.
Piper stops and re-starts playing “Laura’s Wedding” and Mairi’s Wedding”.
Seating of Family – slowly walking.
- Groom family members (Grandparents, Parents).
- Bride family members second (Grandparents, Parents except father).
Piper stops and re-starts playing “Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen”, My Home”.
Bridal party processional slowly start walking.
Piper stops playing.
People Are Asked to Stand
Piper starts playing “Syke Boat Song”.
Bride and father of the Bride slowly walk down the aisle.
Ceremony Exchange
Welcome and Declaration of Purpose
Public Determination of Lawfulness (Silence)
Public Transfer of Authority
Bride response – “Her mother and I”
Father of Bride lifts veil, kisses bride on cheek.
Father of Bride hands the bride’s right hand to groom.
Bride hands bouquet to Maid of Honor.
Public Declaration of Consent – “I do”
Opening Prayer
Opening Hymn
Scripture Reading
Homily – Message
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Closing Prayer
Declaration of Couple
The Kiss
Blessing
Maid of Honor passes back to Bride’s her bouquet.
Presentation of the new Couple
“It now give me great pleasure to present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs…. “
Recessional
Bride and Groom stay up front.
Piper starts playing, while marching to the front “Scotland the Brave”.
Piper meet the bride and groom, counter marches and continues to march out with the Bride and Groom following the piper.
Piper continues to play until the Bridal party has exit.
Piper stops playing.
Pastor Announcement
Ushers, dismiss row beginning with row 1. Parents please set the tone for the service and remain seated until ushers dismiss you, once row is completed, ushers go to row 2, et etcetera. As soon as ushers are done, head to the family photo site.
“Ushers will dismiss you row by row. Family members please head directly to the family photo site.
Directions to the reception are in the program, we’ll see everyone over at the reception. Thank you”
Pipers restarts playing outside as guest depart.
Post Ceremony
Photos
Groom parents, bride, groom and children.
Groom parents, bride and groom.
Bride parents, bride, groom and children.
Groom and Bride with all above family members.
Groom and Bride and parents of groom and bride.
Planing the Reception
Reception List
1. Reception Line
2. Introduction of Wedding Participants (wedding party, grandparents, parents, bride/groom)
3. Cutting the wedding cake
4. Dinner – seating, toast, grace,
5. First dance
I. Reception Line
Bride/groom and/or family (minimum)
Three options:
1.1 At the church or
Immediately after wedding as guest exit bride/groom and/or immediate family members in the wedding.
Order: (closet to the door entrance) bride, groom, bride’s mother/father, groom’s mother/father, bride’s grandparents, groom grandparents.
1.2 At the reception or
If the main hall is closed off and the bride, groom and immediate family members in the wedding are available, Right before the main ballroom doors open, line the (closet to the door entrance) bride, groom, bride’s mother/father, groom’s mother/father, bride’s grandparents, groom grandparents.
1.3 During dinner
If the bride and groom plan to visit tables during dinner, desserts, before first dance, This can replace the reception line.
2. Introduction of Wedding Participants
Create at least two sets of names (first, last – relationship bride/groom) of the entire wedding party, grandparents, parents, bride and groom typed or written neatly.
One is a backup for the best man to keep. The other is for the announcer of the introductions to have.
Three options:
2.1 Introduction Before Dinner (all wedding participants)
Order of names:
Bridal party names as they entered down the aisle at the beginning of the wedding service
- Grandparents (groom – bride)
- Parents(groom – bride)
- Bride and groom
All ladies purses should be at their seats before being introduced.
No drinks in any hands.
(See Cutting the Wedding Cake below)
2.2 Introduction Bride and Groom Only
(Minimum at the hall when entering for the first time and first dance)
(See Cutting the Wedding Cake below)
2.3 Introduction During First Dance
(see First Dance below)
3. Cutting the Wedding Cake
Two options for cutting the cake:
3.1 For Dessert
Question to ask: This the wedding cake to be served as dessert?
If yes, then think about after the bride and groom have been announced entering the hall, the bride and groom walk towards the wedding cake for the symbolic cutting of the cake.
After cutting the cake bride and groom then walk to their head the table.
The cake can now be taken to the kitchen to be cut for dessert being served in a timely manner.
Typical this saves between 45-60 minutes and allow the first dance to be in a timely manner.
(Make sure the photographer has pictures of the cake before any cutting is done.)
3.2 Not for Dessert
Question to ask: There other deserts to be served in place of the wedding cake and the wedding cake is to be served later in the evening?
If yes, then the Wedding cake can be cut immediately after dinner and before the first dance.
4 Dinner – seating, toast, grace
4.1 Seating
Seated at the head table, facing towards the guest.
Head Table: Bride is on the grooms right side. (opposite of going down the aisle)
How should the bridle party be seated?
Two options
1. Ladies and gentlemen on separate sides or
2. Ladies and gentlemen seated together as they went down the aisle.
Options 2, Only the Maid of Honor and Best Man do not sit next to each other.
Option 1 and 2 – The positions at the table are as follows:
From the outside of the table inward towards the bride and groom.
Outside seats are for the ring bearer(s) flower girl(s).
The wedding party seats in order they entered down the aisle at the beginning of the wedding service with the first bridesmaid and groomsman next to the ring bearers.
Maid of Honor is seated next to the groom and the Best Man is seated next to the bride. Unless the bride and groom have their own separate table.
4.2 Toast
Order of toast
- Bride grandparents
- Bride parents
- Groom grandparents
- Groom parents
- Maid of honor
- Best man
- New bide and groom thanking everyone.
4.3 Grace
Dinner Grace
Who: Marriage Officiant or anyone
Suggested Celtic Grace:
“Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.” – Robert Burns
5. First Dance
Order of names:
Bride-groom
Bride and her father
Groom and his mother
Grooms mother and father
Brides mother and father
Grandparents(groom – bride)
Bridal party names as they exited down the aisle at the end of the wedding service.
Provide lists songs (with version) to be played for bride/groom, grandparents, parents, and bride party to the music provider.
Check Off List:
1. Rings
2. Order of wedding party, grandparents and parents going down the aisle. They come back the opposite. (ie. last end, bride/groom, first out).
3. List of all participants in the wedding (First, Last name and relationship to bride and/or groom).
4. List of songs and order of play.
5. Flowers for bride, bridesmaids, grandparents, parents.
6. Toasts
7. Grace
8. Logistics of vehicles for people to get back to home base (home and/or hotel).