Because in Boston, music is heritage, and heritage is shared.
You don’t have to be Irish to feel a lump in your throat when bagpipes echo through a church in Boston.
And that’s why brides from every background — Italian, Cape Verdean, Jewish, Portuguese, Dominican, you name it — are incorporating Irish pipes, Celtic folk music, or fiddle bands into their wedding day.
Sometimes it’s for tradition.
Sometimes it’s for family.
Sometimes it’s because — frankly — it just sounds like Boston.
Why Bagpipes? Why Boston?
Boston is one of the most Irish cities in America — culturally, musically, and historically.
- 1 in 5 Massachusetts residents claim Irish heritage
- The Dropkick Murphys made punk-Celtic mainstream
- St. Patrick’s Day is practically a civic holiday
- Boston Police and Fire Pipes & Drums bands play at weddings, funerals, parades, graduations — and yes, bridal processionals
But here’s the little-known twist:
A growing number of non-Irish brides are choosing Irish music too — purely because it feels like home.
Where Irish Music Appears at Weddings
| Wedding Moment | Irish Music Element |
|---|---|
| Processional (walking down the aisle) | A single bagpipe playing “Highland Cathedral” or “Danny Boy” |
| Recessional (after vows) | Lively fiddle reels or “The Dawning of the Day” |
| Cocktail hour | Acoustic Celtic duo — fiddle + guitar |
| Reception entrance | Dropkick Murphys’ “Shipping Up to Boston” for the bridal party |
| Father/daughter dance | “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” or Van Morrison |
| Last song of the night | The entire room singing “The Wild Rover” or “Sweet Caroline — with fiddle harmony” |
But Aren’t Bagpipes Sad?
They can be — but they don’t have to be.
Bagpipes are emotional instruments. Their sound carries power, history, and a kind of pride that fills the space — especially in stone churches like St. Cecilia’s or Old South.
There are two kinds of bagpipe songs used at weddings in Boston:
| Type | Emotion | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Airs (slow, emotional) | Reverent, romantic, reflective | “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace,” “She Moved Through the Fair” |
| Reels & Jigs (fast, joyful) | Celebratory and upbeat | “The Silver Spear,” “The Irish Washerwoman,” “The Rakes of Mallow” |
Real Boston Bride Moments
“I surprised my dad by having bagpipes start playing as we walked out of the church… he cried before I did.”
— Haley T., Quincy
“We’re Italian and Dominican — but we still had a Celtic band at cocktail hour. We’re Boston. It felt right.”
— Marisa & Diego, Seaport wedding
“Our band merged ‘Sweet Caroline’ with a fiddle solo. People lost their minds.”
— Shannon F., Cape Cod bride
How to Include Irish Music in a Modern Wedding (Even if You’re Not Irish)
✔ Hire a professional piper — not just a friend who knows two songs
✔ Book a Celtic trio (fiddle, guitar, bodhrán) for cocktail hour
✔ Ask your wedding band if they can perform “Shipping Up to Boston” live
✔ Play Van Morrison, The Cranberries, or Hozier for dinner music
✔ Add subtle Celtic details — stoneware, greenery, Claddagh symbol, whiskey toast
Boston Bands Know This Music by Heart
Most wedding bands in Boston can:
- Add a fiddle or tin whistle for Irish sets
- Perform “Into the Mystic,” “Galway Girl,” or “Moondance” live
- Partner with pipe-and-drum musicians for the ceremony
- Seamlessly blend Irish folk into Motown, pop, or jazz sets
It’s not just heritage. It’s hometown sound.
Why This Matters — Even If You’re Not Irish
Because weddings aren’t just about identity.
They’re about belonging.
And in Boston, Irish music belongs to the whole city — not just to one heritage.
It’s a soundtrack of resilience, family, laughter, pubs, and late-night dancing.
🎶 “You don’t need Irish blood to feel Irish pride.
Just a Boston heart — and a band that knows the tune.”
Find your Celtic, folk, or wedding band at PartyBands.com
