Ahhh, the age-old appeal and grandeur of bagpipes. Their distinctive sound delivers elegance to any celebration. A properly tuned and played set of bagpipes has no musical equal. An appropriate selection of majestic music creates deep feelings of awe and reverence. The effect can be breathtaking!

All who have seen the movie "Braveheart" will remember the glorious bagpipes at the wedding of William Wallace. More recently, Madonna and Ashley Judd utilized bagpipers as an integral part of their wedding ceremonies. Pipes were also recently featured at the funeral of the great golfer, Payne Stewart.

Bagpipe players have been entertaining guests at weddings, banquets and parties for centuries. By hiring a piper to play for your wedding, you will be carrying on a cultural tradition that was prevalent throughout the Old World.

The bagpipe is one of the oldest instruments played by man. It probably originated in about 800 BC in ancient Egypt. Since the Middle Ages, bagpipes were played in Greece, Rome, and throughout Europe, at fairs, weddings, pageants and all sorts of processions.

Piping died out over most of Europe except in the Highlands of Scotland where it flourished, and when our ancestors came to the New World, many kept this tradition alive, especially the Scots and Irish. But you needn't have Scottish or Irish affiliation to have a piper at your wedding. Indeed, bagpipes often have been, and can be played at multiethnic weddings to the enjoyment of all.

Long after the cake has been enjoyed and the flowers are gone, one of the most cherished memories of a wedding will be the moving and memorable sounds of the bagpipes.

Bagpipes work wonderfully for outdoor weddings (no sound system is needed). Indoors, the pipes can be played even in small chapels, with the proper set of quiet reeds.

Michael Gillen

Known as the 'Sunset Piper at Spanish Bay', Mike Gillen is one of the foremost bagpipers on the Monterey Peninsula.

Missy Jenkins

Missy Jenkins has over 20 years' experience as a bagpiper. Locations all over the Monterey Peninsula frequently utilize her talents for wedding and other ceremonial occasions.