Try a Ceilidh Band for a Real Hoolie of a Wedding Party

If you want a really great party, try a Ceilidh!

A ceilidh is where the band introduce the dance, the music starts and you step out onto the floor for an unforgettable experience of twirling lightness, fun and laughter. You can’t help enjoying ceilidh dancing no matter where you come from and whether you call it caley, ceili or celidh or even a barndance, it means “getting together” i.e having a party! With just a few basic steps to master, and a “caller” who will keep you on track and remind you of the moves, you’ll soon get in the swing of ceilidh dancing which, with a good ceilidh band, quickly becomes a room full of togetherness, laughter and happiness.

First Wedding Dance

For a wedding reception it’s usual to start with something simple as the the first wedding dance. Here’s a video of newlyweds starting the evening with the “Gay Gordons”.

First on the floor by themselves and then joined by all their guests. If you can walk you already know how to do the first half of this dance; then the lady takes a quick twirl under the gentleman’s right hand before the couple finish in waltz hold with a couple of turns of a Polka, or just spinning together.

Scottish dance music is essentially the same as Scottish folk music but more organised to fit the structure of the dances and in Scottish Country Dancing, the more polished and serious cousin of ceilidh dancing, every tune is carefully prescribed for each dance so as to perfectly match the very complex moves involved in this more challenging and precise form of Scottish dancing. Remember that, at a wedding ceilidh, the emphasis will be much more on having fun than getting the steps right and there will almost always be a member of the band who will call the dances, teach beginners and remind rusty memories what to do.

Ceilidh Band Line-Up

The most common lineup for ceilidh bands playing scottish dance music is fiddle, accordion and drums though there are plenty of scottish bands using other instruments. Try the exciting and powerful combination of bagpipes and scottish fiddle, often backed by guitar and bodhran for a more Celtic music feel or piano and upright bass that can verge on Ragtime.

Don’t worry if it all seems too energetic, often the band will sing well known Scottish ballads after a few dances or play some Scottish instrumental music to give you a well-earned breather, and there are always plenty of slower dances. Even if it’s your first time the caller will soon show you how to waltz and you will never know how good that feels until you try it.

How much and how long?

Most ceilidhs in Scotland will start around 8pm and go on until midnight so that’s a good “standard time” to expect your ceilidh band to play. Prices vary a great deal from a local band at perhaps as little as £450 for a trio but, for an exciting, experienced, reliable, professional trio expect to pay about £650 and around £800 for a four-piece.

Find out more about selecting and booking your ceilidh band

To get a feel for the atmosphere and a glimpse of some of the more popular ceilidh dances just follow these YouTube links:

Dashing White Sergeant
Strip The Willow
Military Two Step
Virginia Reel

Never be afraid to “try your hand” because you might make a mistake or get something “wrong.” Success in anything comes from being willing to move into unchartered territory and have fun as you go!

…. Dee