More Information On Weddings

We arrange every wedding booking around the particular needs of our clients,so we look forward to talking the finer details of your big day through with you! When you've had a browse, please enquire!

The Show

In our wedding shows, we usually present a selection of ceilidh dances that are explained from the floor by our caller, and the moves are then 'called' as the music plays. All these dances are accessible to anyone regardless of experience, and we pride ourselves on tempting every crowd up on to the floor and getting them grooving untill the end of the night!

When the dancers need to rest, we play some 'listening numbers'; songs and tunes from our varied repertoire.

We also find it popular to play some of our music without the calling, so that those who want to can do 'their own thing' and dance 'freestyle'. We can play a whole show like this if requested:Alternatively, a set of 'freestyle' music can work well towards the end of a night.

Show format is usually:

• First set; one hour
• Break for refreshment / buffet
• Second set; one hour, to an hour and a half

The First Dance

It is usual for the bride and groom to start the first set with the first dance: We recommend a snowball waltz. The dance lasts around eight minutes, and is a great way of introducing the bride and groom, and getting everyone up on the floor dancing with them. It is also an excellent way of preparing the audience for the ceilidh format. (i.e. Mike explaining the dance and calling the moves.)

1. Bride and Groom take the floor, take each other in a ballroom hold and waltz away together. Any step with a ballroom hold is fine! (about 1 minute)

2. When Mike calls, bride and groom each go and find a new partner to bring on the floor (In-laws are a popular choice!)

3.  When Mike calls again, all four go and bring new partners onto the floor.

3. Mike calls, these eight dancers then all go and find new partners.

3. We continue like this until everyone is up on the floor dancing!

N.B. a few times through the dance, the bride and groom can return to each other to continue the dance!

Unplugged Music 

In addition to performing onstage for the main ceilidh, Striding Edge can go unplugged at weddings.

On these walkabouts, a combination of Striding Edge members singing and playing has proved popular for:

• Playing at the wedding ceremony.

• Playing off the bride and groom as they leave after the evening function.  

• Leading the wedding party on a procession to a side event e.g. outdoor firework display, bonfire in the woods!

• Gathering the guests for the ceilidh: this can be useful when the guests are spread out around several lounge rooms / bars / floors in a hotel.

If you think unplugged music could be incorporated in your wedding, please discuss this with Mike.

Setting-up time

Striding Edge require time to set up their equipment before the show:

• If the ceilidh is in the same room as the evening meal:

Tell us what time your evening meal will finish. We will arrive half an hour before this time, and be ready to bring our equipment into the dining room just after the meal has finished.

By the time the tables and chairs have been re-arranged, and guests have slaked their thirst, we aim to be ready to play! (+/_ 50 minutes.)

• If the ceilidh is in a separate room to the evening meal:

We will arrive at the venue an hour and a half before the show to set up. Please make sure the room is open for us to use.

• Packing up time is one hour

Guest Musicians

You may have a guest who you would like to sing a special song. They are welcome to use our sound-system, so long as this is agreed in advance.

P.A. / C.D. Player

As standard, we bring our own P.A. (public address system) and a C.D. player to supply background music during our break. Clients have, on occasions, brought their own C.D. as background music, or for a special song. If you would like to supply your own background music, please discuss this with us in advance.

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