Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ceilidh at a wedding this year?

29 replies

Spoilsportsday · 16/02/2021 14:45

My friend is planning a wedding for this summer. She was more keen on having a wedding band but her mum thinks she should be having a ceilidh and my friend has been persuaded over to that and told me she has made enquiries now with ceilidh bands.

I’m really reticent as whilst I’m a fan in normal times, I really wouldn’t want to be holding hands and dancing in such close proximity with a large group of people in Covid-19 times. It’s not just going to go away and social distancing be dammed by then. Im afraid the ceilidh band will be playing and not many people will partake. Or worse, people do partake and everyone ends up with covid-19. My concern is added to by the fact the majority of the guests, myself and the couple included, are health care workers/carers who come in contact with +be patients daily.
Obviously we don’t know what situation we are going to be in by July but I’m not optimistic that this is a good idea.
I think at least a normal rock/ pop wedding band means people can have a shuffle in their own space, or in small groups with people they know, rather than congregating on the dance floor in a large group.

Please tell me if I’m being miserable and alarmist- YABU.
If my concerns are valid- YANBU.

OP posts:
SmallPrawnEnergy · 16/02/2021 14:49

I can’t foresee a wedding bigger than 15-30 people anyway, certainly not a ceilidh. I imagine most responsible ceilidh organisers wouldn’t be taking bookings until social distancing measures had reduced anyway.

DynamoKev · 16/02/2021 14:50

Can't see much of difference really - what if "pop" band plays a congo or something?

I am unfamiliar with Ceilidh bands but if it was like barn dances growing up in England in my youth assume they teach you a few steps then let rip?

Most of weddings I've been to it wouldn't make a lot of difference.

mootymoo · 16/02/2021 14:51

I honestly think weddings this year will need to be fully seated. Hopefully they will increase the numbers from an arbitrary 30 to "depending on the venues ability to distance the guests" but we aren't expecting more than that and I organise them

Kinneddar · 16/02/2021 14:54

I think she's kidding herself on if she thinks that she can have that type of wedding this summer. I wouldn't even think ceilidh bands would be taking bookings for this summer

JemimaTiggywinkle · 16/02/2021 15:06

If you’re spending all day in the same room, I don’t think the type of dancing will make much difference to transmission rates.

nicelyneurotic · 16/02/2021 15:10

Yanbu but it isnt your wedding...

HeidiHaughton · 16/02/2021 15:12

A wedding like this at any time is a poor choice.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 16/02/2021 15:16

A buffet would be very likely to spread Covid... have you had any thoughts about vetting her dining choices? Grin

Meowthress · 16/02/2021 15:21

We've postponed our summer wedding this year to next year. I can't see it happening this summer unless it's a small restricted one.

Can't see any chance of a wedding involving dancing happening.

DynamoKev · 16/02/2021 15:23

arrrgh conga

B33Fr33 · 16/02/2021 15:26

So don't go? If you don't want to take part then don't?

PinotNoisette · 16/02/2021 15:47

Personally, I think it's very unlikely. However, her venue will risk assess based on guidelines nearer the time and tell her whether or not she can do it. If covid is still rife then she simply won't be allowed to have a ceilidh. I wouldn't worry about it.

Seeingadistance · 16/02/2021 15:55

She’s not going to have a ceilidh band at a wedding this summer. Just not going to happen.

Original poster
Spoilsportsday · 16/02/2021 15:56

@B33Fr33

So don't go? If you don't want to take part then don't?
I won’t take part- but I don’t want my friend to be disappointed if it falls flat when she has been persuaded by her mother that a ceilidh would get more people dancing than a band that was her choice.
OP posts:
madmara · 16/02/2021 15:57

The type of band playing will not be a factor in guidelines around weddings this summer.

Original poster
Spoilsportsday · 16/02/2021 15:58

@JemimaTiggywinkle

A buffet would be very likely to spread Covid... have you had any thoughts about vetting her dining choices? Grin
The church is going to be half capacity to allow distancing , and the venue has effectively a retractable walls so it will be mostly ‘open air’ and it will be a plated meal served 2m apart.

And then we will all cram together to do a dance 🙈

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 16/02/2021 15:58

I don't think it will be allowed, or maybe the band will but not with dancing.

My friend has just postponed her august wedding to 2023.
You seem a little over invested though.

VanCleefArpels · 16/02/2021 16:08

FWIW a ceilidh is a brilliantly fun way to encourage everyone up to dance at a wedding. No old relatives moaning about the loud disco music, kids joining in, no cheesy playlist etc. We did it and all our guests said how refreshing it was

But it won’t happen this year

Meowthress · 16/02/2021 16:08

God, I actually die inside a little when I hear a wedding I'm going to is going to have a ceilidh. Grin

Original poster
Spoilsportsday · 16/02/2021 16:12

@VanCleefArpels

FWIW a ceilidh is a brilliantly fun way to encourage everyone up to dance at a wedding. No old relatives moaning about the loud disco music, kids joining in, no cheesy playlist etc. We did it and all our guests said how refreshing it was

But it won’t happen this year

As I said I actually love them normally- not this year.

For someone who said I’m over invested that’s probably true- I’m also personally quite covid- phobic though too.

OP posts:
TechnoDino · 16/02/2021 16:13

Her mum is insane thinking that a ceilidh is even a possibility this year, let alone a good idea.
Also, not relevant, but I HATE ceilidhs at weddings, and wedding attire is not conducive to this type of dancing.

Meowthress · 16/02/2021 16:16

@TechnoDino

Her mum is insane thinking that a ceilidh is even a possibility this year, let alone a good idea. Also, not relevant, but I HATE ceilidhs at weddings, and wedding attire is not conducive to this type of dancing.
Agreed. Hideous cringey things. I grab a drink and get as far away as possible.
insecure21 · 16/02/2021 16:34

If people are comfortable going to a wedding of 30 plus (however many allowed) then it will make no difference really. You’ll all be in the same room and close the B&G at some point.

Why do you care so much? Tbh she’s probably already feel disappointed that her wedding won’t be as she’d planned / hoped. You sound over invested and like you want to be negative.

Redglitter · 16/02/2021 16:35

God, I actually die inside a little when I hear a wedding I'm going to is going to have a ceilidh

Same here. I absolutely hate them

JillsFlapjacks · 16/02/2021 16:39

You need to have the right crowd for a ceilidh. My friend tried at her 21st, as she loves them, but it totally flopped.

It won't happen this year, anyway. We're not even sure we'll be able to holiday in Scotland this year, are we? Never mind full on weddings like this.