Wedding Ceilidhs - what about Licences and Insurances ?

Licences and Insurances

These days,there is so much legislation covering every aspect of our lives – and planning your Wedding Ceilidh does not escape this and there are several issues which you need to be aware of.We would also preface this page by stating that we are not qualified lawyers or experts in the laws of the land – but we might just draw attention to matters which you may have overlooked or need to check out further.

Venues – most venues designed to host Wedding Receptions will already have all the necessary licences required in connection with serving alcohol and providing recorded and live music entertainment.They will also be checked periodically to ensure that their mechanical and electrical services,kitchen hygiene and catering facilities meet current Health & Safety standards and legislation.Certainly,the larger hotel chains will usually be up to date on these aspects.However,you might be wise to check this out when hiring some of the smaller,private country homes/function venues and/or village halls.Applying for certain licences just a few weeks/days before your Wedding may take some time – meaning you run a risk of breaking the law if you go ahead (with any resultant heavy fines/penalties) or even have to cancel your venue and change – OR,God forbid,cancel the whole day (suffering any cancellation charges as a result of any contracts which you may have exchanged).

Neither our agency nor our Wedding Ceilidh bands take any respnsibilty for arranging or checking that such licences etc are in place and this is entirely the responsibility of the person booking the band.

If you shop around,you will find several Insurance companies offer protection and advice,specifically for Weddings,in the event of such calamities.Such companies will also expect (in the case of performers such as Wedding Ceilidh Bands) that a written contract has been exchanged with the performers and that everybody is clear as to their responsibilites.Please click HERE to check out our Terms and Conditions and an example of how our booking procedures operate.

Naturally,besides yourself (as the client) and your chosen venue,the Ceilidh bands also have responsibilities to abide by the Contract terms.That is why the Contracts are drawn up by our agency – to spell out the responsibilities of each party to the Contact,clearly state any cancellation terms for the protection of all concerned.

Additionally,we also ensure that our Wedding Ceilidh bands carry the following -

Public Liability Insurance covering third parties.Often,such Insurances are obtained via the performers' membership of the Musician's Union,the EFDSS or dedicated Musicians Insurance companies.The wiser musicians have insurance covering loss/damage to their instruments but will also be covered should it ever be proven that the band have caused death,injury or damage to other persons or other properties.This is very important.Most of the larger hotel chains and venues will insist on such valid insurances before allowing a band to perform.

P A T (Portable Appliance Testing) Certificates.This certification means that the band's electrically wired and operated equipment has been tested by an approved,competent technician as being electrically wired to meet current electrical safety operating standards.In other words,their equipment will not short/fuse the 'in house' electricity supply nor electrocute either themselves or your guests !

Many venues expect that the Ceilidh bands will carry these Insurances and certificates and will not allow performance without evidence of these assurances.