Ceilidh band: a wedding guide
A ceilidh band plays Scottish dance tunes. A caller teaches each dance first.
When couples book this
Usually booked about 4 months out. It moves with your date.
Still deciding the wedding
Your wishlist
Answer these before you meet anyone.
What lineup are you picturing?
The caller is often one of the band, playing as well as calling.
How much of the night?
Comparing your options
What to ask each one
How much calling?
A room of first-timers wants every dance walked through; a room that dances every winter wants the band to start playing. Bands differ in how much they call — ask each one.
How it’s usually priced
Usually priced as one flat amount.
Possible extras: Extra hour, Ceremony or drinks-reception set, Travel fee.
Booked and settling details
What you settle once booked
The dances
The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, the Dashing White Sergeant, the Canadian Barn Dance, the Military Two Step and St Bernard's Waltz carry most nights; name any your family must have, the first dance if it is a ceilidh dance, and the one that closes the night.
Does the band play your first dance?
Often a waltz, and often a ceilidh dance the floor joins on the second time through.
The dance floor
Handoff with the piper, DJ or other band
The week of the wedding
The day-of sheet
Confirm arrival, finish, who to call, access, a meal, and what is due.
Across the whole day
Choose which moments to include.
- Ceilidh
For businesses
The brief a couple sends you has these sections:
- The dances
- The event
- Contacts