2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone and played havoc with the dreams and hopes of every couple planning to get married.
This is the story of a lovely couple, Gary and Jennifer, who, after lots of planning and preparation, had to postpone their original wedding in Majorca and, after that, their hastily arranged second wedding date for August in Scotland. They then realized that more than anything else, they just wanted to be married. Immediately upon the easing of lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions allowing small outdoor weddings to go ahead, they agreed to arrange a very intimate elopement wedding here in Scotland without telling their families or friends and get married in secret on their original wedding date.
Gary contacted me on July 11th to confirm my availability to play for them and shared their elopement wedding plan. He was thrilled to have received the paperwork, allowing them to marry on their original date, July 21st, at the picturesque Dunmore Loch near Pitlochry. He wanted my participation to be a surprise for Jennifer, leading to a series of secret texts and phone calls over the following days while Jennifer was away to finalise all the arrangements.
Tuesday, 21st July was an absolutely stunning warm summer day, and Dunmore Loch looked breathtaking—absolutely perfect for an elopement wedding in sunny Scotland! I arrived early, got fully dressed, and spent ten minutes playing the pipes, so they were ready for Jennifer's arrival. Soon, the wonderful wedding celebrant for the day, Lesley Anderson, joined me, and not long after, Gary and his best man Paul showed up. Paul's phone was buzzing non-stop with messages from family and friends, all sharing love and excitement on what should have been their wedding day! How they managed to keep it all a secret is beyond me! They all then made their way to the charming little jetty where the wedding was set to happen, while I eagerly awaited the Bride's arrival.
A little bit late due to a taxi mix up! I eventually saw the car coming down the track to the car pack and struck up, watched by a couple of curious walkers, no doubt wondering what could be happening, I could see a delighted and surprised Jennifer as she and her bridesmaid Rachel alighting from the taxi and smiles and excitement.
Quick introductions and a quick photo, assuring Jennifer it's okay and there's no rush even though she's late and Gary knew that the next time he heard the pipes meant that his bride was here. Time to settle and to let Jennifer catch her breath.
I then led Jennifer and Rachel 200 metres or so along the woodland path skirting the loch side to the Jetty where Gary, Paul and Lesley were waiting.
A beautiful short ceremony took place and before long Gary and Jennifer were officially married.
One of the most amazing parts of the day was watching Paul and Rachel alternate between their roles as Best Man and Bridesmaid to photographer and Videographer with a couple of fixed cameras, and a video to record the ceremony. Then Paul got the drone out and recorded some amazing footage as I led the newly weds back around the loch to the car park.
I have been fortunate to be a wedding piper at a number of similar very small and intimate weddings and elopements in Scotland and it is truly an honour to be part of such an emotional and special day in people's lives.
Since this wedding, I have attended similar micro and elopement-type weddings with couples determined to not let Covid restrictions prevent them from getting married. Although not the day they originally planned, I know from speaking to them afterwards that they have no regrets and perhaps even preferred the small, intimate wedding that circumstances dictated. As a supplier, these unique weddings will live long in the memory.
If you are planning a truly Scottish Wedding, whether it's a remote or intimate elopement or a truly massive affair, you really should have a bagpiper perform at some point during the day. So get in touch with us for all your Wedding Piper needs, we also provide Drummers and Highland Dancers.
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