I am a Scot by birth. For the occasion of our 45th Wedding Anniversary, I was determined to recreate and remember as many elements of our wedding which took place in 1976 in Edinburgh, Scotland .  Among our guests were several lifelong friends who attended our wedding four-and-a-half decades ago, along with a host of new friends and our entire family consisting of my mother and mother-in-law, our four adult children, their spouses, our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. I donned the same kilt I wore and my wife ordered a beautiful new dress. Of course we had to get a Highland Bagpiper to play at the extensive list of traditional Scottish songs we wanted to be played during the prelude, during the ceremony the postlude and a the reception following the ceremony.

Before inviting Raphael to play at our anniversary, I had  contacted four other pipers who eft me unimpressed.  Raphael was different;  he was cordial and kind, patient and attentive to details. He took the time to listen to my very specific requests and wishes.   Raphael immediately gained my trust and confidence with his friendly demeanor, assertive personality and his extensive knowledge of bagpipe music and Scottish wedding customs which I deem as vastly encyclopaedic. Raphael knew every single one of the thirty-seven songs we requested; moreover, he also composed a new song for us, and presented us with a lovely gift of the music hand-written in parchment, matted and framed, most memorable keepsake for the rest of our lives, and one that we we proudly bequeath for generations to come.  On the day of our ceremony, Raphael came attired in a most elegant manner, wearing an authentic Scottish kilt and kitted to the level of formality of our affair.

I’ve hired many a piper is my life, both in the UK and here in the United States. Raphael is by far, among the very best in the world!