Hidden deep in the Willamette Forest, a secret wedding took place. There were five total in attendance: a groom, bride, officiant, photographer, and a bagpiper.
Processing to the tune "The Secret Wedding" (made famous from the scene in Braveheart) the bride made her way to her fiance, and the marriage was sealed.
The location and moment were made even more so indelible as only a few miles away a forest fire raged. I assume after we left it destroyed the very spot we stood.
Moments before the ceremony. Photo credit Victoria Carlson.
Photo credit Victoria Carlson
I've played many weddings, big and small, but this was a very intimate and enjoyable first serving as one of the witnesses (and even signing the marriage license)!
Congratulations to Malcolm and Cathy on a unique and fantastic wedding! Cheers and all the best!
Because it's really loud and people are trying to sleep! Also have you ever tried running through a densely packed corn field? Not nearly as much fun as it looked like when Mel Gibson gave it a go in "Signs".
With nothing more than a barely working 3G phone (thanks Consumer Cellular!!) and a personal GPS satellite in space I found myself standing in full uniform in the middle of a field in Krueger's farm at Sauvie's Island. A dark limo carrying a bride and groom was greeted by the scurl (squirrel? I think you may be wrong, autocorrect) of the bagpipes.
To my surprise, the wedding reception was actually being held at a big oak tree nearby (pictured above) as opposed to the middle of some random field. Special thanks to Mary K. who agrees that bagpipes sound great anywhere, even in the middle of the field.
PS: Do not play bagpipes at nude beach on Sauvie's Island.
Alright so maybe I didn't march OUT of the ocean, but I was REALLY close to the water and I got sand in my gillies. If I HAD TO I think I could probably pull off a quick march completely underwater before Neptune swam over and angrily threw his trident through my bagpipe.
As I marched out onto a very populated section of Canon Beach I was greeted by very confused stares from the MANY beach-goers on that day. I met their stares with a half-witted salute or a meager "Hi".
Striking up to Scotland the Brave I trudged through the sand and up the beach to the Corrado family's house, where a 60th wedding anniversary was being held. Grateful that I had somehow piped up to the correct house/group I played several sets and mingled with the extremely friendly and generous Corrado family!
Special thanks to Missy Lowes who agrees that bagpipes sound best above water and in front of large groups of people.
It was my pleasure to play at one of my best friend's wedding in Ohio. I played alongside my bff (and incredible bagpiper) Ben Peterson.
Viewer discretion advised: I cannot professionally guarantee that this much awesome will be had at your wedding! ;)
PS: This was a wedding for a long time friend. You are not required to include me in your wedding party photos in this fashion. I mean, if you WANT TO...that''d be cool...
...and poses like this are an extra $40. It ends when the song is over. Thank you ;)
