Has anyone been to a wedding with a Ceilidh band?

I've been to several and really enjoyed it. You need to have a good caller so that it's easy for people who don't know the steps, and you need to have a well-ventilated room as it gets hot really quickly! It's great fun if you get lots of people who are enthusiastic.

Being scottish this is quite popular however its not my cup of tea. I enjoy a few of these dances during the interval of a band or disco but not a whole night.

Would depend on ur guests if they up for it will be a great night but if not many people get up to dance and that the only style of music/dance it could be quite boring for the guests.

You know your guests and whether they would enjoy it.

We had a ceilidh in the evening for just over an hour. It was so much fun!

Luckily we were in a marquee outside and it was a cool evening, but you do get warm quickly with all the skipping, bumping into each other and giggles. However that hour was enough and got everyone in the mood for a proper disco and our DJ took over at just the right time.

We went to a wedding last year and they had a ceilidh from about 7 til midnight. Whilst it was great fun for the first hour, people soon started flagging and by 9ish no one had the energy left to dance. So if you are going to have one my tips are:

Make sure your venue has a stage the caller can be on for clarity, and with a microphone they can use.

If lots of people dance at once (we had at least 25-30 couples up) you need a big clear dancing space. If its cramped it's no fun.

I would suggest swapping to a dj or iPod playlist after a maximum of two hours.

Some people hate ceilidh bands with a passion (who cares its your wedding!) but this is another reason not to saturate your guest with 5 hours of folk music, you may have some grumpy faces.

Some people love them, I'm not a big fan. I don't like being made to dance, I like to do my own thing and prefer throwing my own dance moves to a dj. I probably wouldn't be as bothered if there was both but a whole evening of Ceilidh, no thanks.

Ive been to two ceilidh weddings btw.

We went to one many years ago. It was fun for first hour or two, especially since we were pretty rubbish at dancing so we weren't taking it too seriously.

As others have said though, it might be good to change to disco after a while. It was my OHs cousin's wedding & we ended up slipping out for a drink in a nearby pub (how awful of us) as we got bit bored with the ceilidh music.

I have also been to a wedding with a Ceilidh and enjoyed it, however the venue was very small and not much room to dance. Just make sure there is adequate room.

I loved the one I went to. It was brilliant - it involved everyone, and didn't go on for too long to knacker yourself out.

I'd love one, but our budget won't stretch to it and OH is less keen (enforced dancing in his eyes).

We're having one, and I'm looking forward to it. We're not having any other DJ or band either. The ceilidh will start at 8pm, then we have a break at 9.15 for more food. They then do another set from 10 until 11.30. We have told everyone the reception is a ceilidh so hopefully they will come prepared!

With a Scottish OH I've been to a huge (several hundred people) ceilidh in London, it is great fun, you get very hot, so consider that you might want a diff dress for the evening, and if you don't have enough space it's sooo frustrating and just doesn't really work so bear that in mind. But if you think your guests are the kind that'll be happy to fling themselves around and make a fool out of themselves then go for it. It's far more sociable than dancing to a DJ or band too.

Thanks so much for all your help! Just can't seem to make a decision between a dj, a party band or a ceilidh! Not sure if i want to get all hot and sweaty and have to change out of my dress. hmmmmm will ponder it for a few more days. Thanks again. Any more advice on any form of entertainment would be much appreciatated!

This band are Kent based and are fab...

http://thesoulmonkeys.com/

Seen them once at a 60th birthday party, and they'll be doing our friend's wedding next July too.

I love a wedding with a ceilidh! so much fun

We are having a ceilidh band & I cant wait! Havnt picked my dress yet but when I do I will be making sure I can ceilidh dance in it. I am from the highlands so a ceilidh is the norm but my OH is from Glasgow so not as popular down here.

Our band do a good mix of ceilidh dances & normal songs so hoping there will be something for everyone ?

I have and it was amazing - it really made everyone get on the dance floor.

Hiya,

they are pretty much standard wedding up here in scotland.

We would normaly get a ceilidh band that does dj-ing too, and they do 2 sets of ceilidh mixed with 2 sets of DJ. Make sure you get a band that will 'call the dances' ie explain to people how to do the dances. Ceilidhs are great fun and gets everyone up to dance. Mixing with a DJ provides a bit of variety and stops people getting too exhausted!