A ceilidh highlight, made from the dancing you filmed
A ceilidh is a night of traditional social dancing with a live band and, at most weddings, a caller who walks the room through each dance before the music starts, so that everyone from grandparents to children can join in. Couples often want a film of it on its own, because it is the loudest and happiest part of the day. To get one, upload just the ceilidh footage as its own WeddingEditor project, name the dances, the dancers and the caller's best moments in the preference questions, and WeddingEditor's AI editing makes a Highlight Reel of about 5 minutes or a Social Teaser.
Low light and fast movement are normal at a ceilidh. The edit uses only what you filmed and the band as recorded.
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Last updated October 2026
How to get a highlight of the ceilidh
- 1
Make a project for the ceilidh alone
Create a new project and upload only the evening's dancing from every camera, including any wide locked-off camera you left running. You do not need to cut it into dances first.
- 2
List the dances and the dancers
In the preferences, list the dances in the order they happened, name the people to feature (the couple, a grandparent who danced every set, a child who stole the show), and say if the caller's voice should be heard.
- 3
Get the edit and revise if needed
For this Scottish ceilidh film, pay with One Wedding or a plan credit and start processing, which typically takes 24 to 72 hours. Watch the edit in the app, download the 1080p MP4, and send notes by email for up to two revision rounds.
Moments of a ceilidh to list
Write these into the moments that must be included, in the order they happened that night.
The caller's walk-through
The caller explaining the steps, the couple trying them out slowly, laughter as people get it wrong.
The grand march or first dance
If the evening opened with a grand march or the couple's first dance, the moment the floor joins them.
Gay Gordons
Couples circling the room in a line, the turn under the arm, the polka steps.
Strip the Willow
The couple swinging down a long line of dancers, often the most chaotic dance of the night.
Dashing White Sergeant
Sets of three facing each other and spinning around the floor.
The last dance
The final dance or a closing circle as the band finishes.
What happens at a wedding ceilidh, in order
Running orders vary with the band and the couple, so check yours with them.
1. The band sets up after dinner
A ceilidh usually begins after the meal and speeches, once tables are cleared. Bands commonly play fiddle, accordion, guitar and drums, sometimes with pipes.
2. A caller teaches each dance
Before each dance the caller explains and demonstrates the moves. This is what lets guests with no experience take part, and it creates some of the funniest footage of the night.
3. Couple and set dances
Dances such as the Gay Gordons are danced in couples around the room, while others such as the Dashing White Sergeant or Strip the Willow are danced in sets or long lines.
4. Breaks and late food
Many weddings pause the dancing for food or a toast, then return to the floor until the band's final dance.
Sound as it was
The band, the caller and the cheering are kept as your cameras caught them, and your audio preference sets how music sits with them.
Its own project
The ceilidh can be a separate project with its own edit, apart from your highlight of the whole wedding.
Parts of a ceilidh and what to note in the preferences
| Part of the ceilidh | What it looks or sounds like | What to note in the preferences |
|---|---|---|
| Caller's instructions | The caller at the microphone, guests half-listening | "Keep one funny instruction from the caller." |
| Opening dance | The couple first on the floor, then everyone | "Open on the couple leading the first set." |
| Couple dances | Pairs travelling around the room | "Feature the bride's grandparents in the Gay Gordons." |
| Line and set dances | Long lines, fast swings, collisions | "Strip the Willow is the highlight; give it room." |
| Close of the night | Band's last tune, a circle, applause | "End on the closing circle." |
What is a ceilidh?
A ceilidh (from the Gaelic for a social visit or gathering) is an evening of traditional Scottish or Irish social dancing to live music, usually led by a caller, where the dances are simple enough for anyone to join.
A ceilidh is not a performance of Highland dancing, which is a solo competitive form, and it is not the same as a disco or DJ set later in the night. If the evening had both, say which part you want.
Ceilidh highlight questions
The hall was dark and the dancers were a blur. Can the AI editing still use it?
They work with what you filmed, so point them to the clips with the clearest faces and the wider shots. There is no relighting step, and blurred clips may simply be left out.
Can the highlight follow the caller's instructions?
Yes, if the caller is audible in your footage. Ask for it in the preferences and set the balance toward speech for those moments.
Should I upload the whole evening or just the dances?
Upload the full ceilidh into its own project. You do not need to trim it, and the AI editing works from your list of dances and people.
Is the ceilidh included in my wedding highlight?
Only if you upload it there too. A ceilidh-only edit is a separate project with its own purchase or plan credit.
Can I hand the edit straight to the couple?
You decide. The edit comes to your project and WeddingEditor never contacts your couple, so you deliver it when you are happy with it.
Does WeddingEditor decide which guests are fine to feature?
No. If some guests prefer not to appear, that is for the couple to decide and for you to note. WeddingEditor's AI editing follows your avoid notes and the footage you upload.
More for Scottish weddings
The best dancing of the night, cut into a film
Upload the ceilidh as its own project and list the dances and people you want.
Start your first wedding