A guide to Celtic wedding music

Add a celtic swing to your wedding with a touch of celtic wedding music. Whether you just want to include a few traditional songs, or you plan to hold a full on Ceilidh, here are some tips on using celtic wedding music in your big day:

Celtic music comes in a variety of forms, from wishful melodies that will provide a great prelude to your ceremony, to upbeat jigs and reels that can accompany your drinks reception or dancing. Some couples choose simply to purchase a CD compilation of Celtic music to use during the wedding breakfast, with the aim of including a little Celtic flavour to the wedding proceedings, while others hire a wedding band that specialises in Celtic music.

Here is a list of fifteen popular pieces of Celtic wedding music that can be used with vocals or as instrumental arrangements:

• The Coolin (Fair Maiden)
• Mairi’s Wedding (The Lewis Bridal Song)
• Irish Wedding Song
• The Star of County Down
• Skye Boat Song
• Amazing Grace
• Slane (Be Thou My Vision)
• When She Held Me in Her Arms
• Maids in the Meadow
• Valeria
• My Irish Valentine
• Scarborough Faire
• Haste to the Wedding
• Give me your Hand
• Shepherd’s Serenade

Tips for finding a Celtic band

A Celtic wedding band can be quite big but often you can pick which instruments you want to have included. Keep in mind that the cost is generally based on the number of performers as well as the amount of time they play, so the more instruments you want to have the more costly it will be. Example instruments include the flute, Celtic fiddle, hammered dulcimer, bodhran, tin whistle, guitar, Scottish Highland pipes, harp, Irish Uillean pipes, bouzouki, and button accordion.

Keep the Celtic music theme going throughout your big day, by hiring a duo or trio for your ceremony and the early part of your wedding reception, and then add more musicians for dancing later in the evening?

Throwing a Ceilidh

A ceilidh will be fun for guests of all ages and can be a memorable element of your wedding reception. If you’re planning a ceilidh you’ll need to hire a professional dance caller together with the band. The caller will teach your guests some basic steps to ensure everyone can join in.

Celtic wedding music can create a unique atmosphere on your special day, and will guarantee that the event sticks in your guests’ memories for years to come. Whether you simply purchase a CD to play at your wedding breakfast, or organise a full on Celtic themed wedding with live music for the ceremony and a Ceilidh to finish off, Celtic music is a perfect accompaniment to your wedding.