Can we plan ahead for Wedding Ceilidhs ?

PLAN AHEAD !

Sounds so obvious doesn't it ?

The majority of weddings still take place on Saturdays in the UK – you'd be amazed how many major sporting events also take place on Saturdays.Let's take 2012....UK Olympics and all that ? Getting the picture ? Or will 'your' Saturday evening clash with England's first match in the UEFA European Championships or some major Golf event.....get on to Google and do a bit of research.

Have you got many guests travelling long distances to your wedding ? Where are they going to stay ? It's idyllic isn't it,your venue right out in the sticks ? And only 40 minutes drive away from the nearest hotel or guest house.Uncle Fred and family will travel 4 hour's drive from Kent,get to the guest house,drop their kit,change,another 40 minutes to your wedding and reception ('cos there's no taxis locally to speak of) and face another 40 minutes' drive at Midnight back to the 'digs' ! Or will they ? You know what ? We reckon Fred might say that they just can't make it after all !

Wish that we had a £1 for every time that a band leader has said 'Oh,a wedding – they always run late,don't they ?' The fact is – about 75% of the time,he's right ! And why is that ?

1 – Catering – very often the ceilidh will follow the wedding breakfast/meal.If that means a traditional 'sit-down' meal with speeches allow about two and a half hours for this.And THEN caterers may have to clear tables and re-arrange seating etc to allow for the ceilidh dance area – this also takes up time (though most bands can usually set up whilst this is taking place).If your meal starts at 5pm it's unlikely that the ceilidh will commence before 8pm !

2 – Events earlier in the day......like photos after the actual ceremony,the actual 'official reception' of guests into the venue,loads more photos.The odd 15 minutes extra here and there start to tot up and before you know it,the meal may start about an hour later than planned with all the domino effect kicking in.Wedding plans rarely work to military precision....thankfully (who wants that on their wedding day ?) The trick,of course,is to make the day APPEAR to be almost unplanned and carefree …....by making sensible estimates in the programme and allowing some tolerance in the timings.In this respect,carefully choose somebody from amongst your wedding party whom you can trust to keep a weather eye open on your behalf during the day (and the Best Man isn't always the best choice !).

3 – Fitting in too much entertainment ! Most brides and grooms are conscious of trying to provide almost non- stop entertainments for all their guests...magician/clown for the kids...string quartets/classical music at points during the day....novelty act entertainers....ceilidh band.....disco/'live covers' band and so on.Expense apart,the changeover and set up times of these various acts needs to be well co-ordinated (since all these entertainers will all have their own specific requirements).

4 – Buffet arrangements.We always advise setting aside a specific time for buffets during the evening's events.As far as ceilidhs and barn dances are concerned,who is likely to join in the dances with a pork bap in their mouth/balancing a plate of finger food ? NEVER,EVER have an 'eat-when-you-like' running buffet arrangement – in dancing terms it will work AGAINST your plan of encouraging people to join in the dances.Arrange a sensible given period for buffets,allow people to eat,then clear the buffet away.EXAMPLE – start ceilidh at 8pm,dancing till 9.15/9.30pm,buffet break (45 minutes ?),then carry on with ceilidh (or switch to disco/'covers' band ).And never be worried about asking us for further advice for your particular event !

5 – Finish times.Consult clearly with your venue over this aspect.Some venues may have very strict rules (and hefty additional charges to suit) if your event goes on past an agreed finish time.Look at the 'end goal' first of all and plan backwards ! That way you may highlight any flaws in the planning earlier in the day.Can't speak for everybody else – but if planning a holiday abroad for example,we decide where and when we want to be,THEN plan flights/ferries,stages,car hire and anything else only once the 'end goal' has been decided upon.Of course,if you prefer to just jump on a cheap flight and see where it lands and make it up as you go..........that's your choice.