How to Hire Irish Dancers for a Wedding for an Event to Remember

Whether you have a family tie to Ireland, or you've grown up dancing or admiring Irish step dancing, you may consider incorporating it into one of the most important days of your life: your wedding day. Irish dancers at your wedding add an element of heritage, excitement, culture and high-energy entertainment to your event—illuminating guests with their revering dance moves and a blend of rhythm, precision and passion. From lively reels to graceful jigs, Irish dancers perform choreographed routines that create an unforgettable atmosphere during your ceremony, cocktail hour or wedding reception activities.

Despite its continued popularity, Irish dancing goes back thousands of years. While its exact origins are debated, Gina Myers, expert planner and owner of La Cosa Bella Events in Raleigh, North Carolina, points out that there is evidence of Irish dance traditions dating back to the medieval period. The form of Irish dance we recognize today, characterized by rapid foot movements and a rigid upper body, however, began to take shape in the 18th century. It wasn't until the establishment of the Gaelic League in the late 19th century that it gained the more formal structure we know and appreciate today. The first Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) was formed in 1929 to standardize the dance form and preserve its cultural significance.

Irish Wedding Dancer Tips: Can You Hire? | Cost | How to Hire | Length | Who to Hire

Can You Hire an Irish Dancer for Your Wedding?

Yes, you can hire Irish dancers for your wedding. It can be a fantastic way to add a touch of Celtic culture and entertainment to your day and is a fun surprise wedding idea for guests. For couples with Irish heritage, Irish dancing is a way to honor cultural traditions and share them with your guests. Even those without a cultural tie to the artistic style of dancing can enjoy and appreciate the energetic and engaging routines.

Irish Wedding Dancer Cost

The cost of hiring Irish dancers for your wedding can vary depending on several factors, including how many dancers you anticipate hiring, the length of the performance, any travel expenses required, the experience of the dance troupe and any add-on services like teaching guests how to do their dance. Kristi DePew, co-owner of Eclipse Events Co. in Austin, Texas, has hired Irish dancers for a wedding for around $400–$500 an hour. "I would expect this could go up to as much as $800–$1000, depending on the size of the group and I would typically recommend staying in the $500 range for somewhere around three to five dancers," she adds. Use our free wedding budget tool to compare price estimates for Irish dancers.

How to Hire an Irish Dancer for Your Wedding

An Irish dancer might be the perfect addition to your wedding reception or ceremony. Here's what you should know before you hire one for your big day.

When to Hire Irish Wedding Dancers

If your wedding is in the winter months of February through April, it is best to secure Irish dancers as soon as you have decided this is something you want to include at your celebration. In fact, Siobhan Healy, owner of Siobhan Stanton Photography in Westchester, New York, recommends reaching out at least several months, if not a year or more before your wedding. "Around St. Patrick's Day is their busiest time of year, and if they belong to a dance school, tend to dance at the same venues and parades year after year for annual cultural events," she says. "If the dancers participate in competitions, winter is also a very busy time of the year for them. But if your wedding is in the summer months, you are likely to encounter the dancers having a more flexible schedule and may have an easier time securing them for your date."

Choose the Style of Dance

First, it's a good idea to determine the type of Irish dance you prefer—there's traditional step dancing, Irish fusion (a blend of Irish dance and other styles) or ceili dancing (group dances involving multiple couples). Choosing the right style of Irish dance for your wedding can significantly impact the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of your guests.

Read Reviews

Do your research by reading reviews and browsing websites to find local vendors offering Irish dance wedding entertainment. The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great place to start your search for professionals near you. It's also a smart idea to watch videos of their performances so you can get a feel for their style, experience and level of professionalism.

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Go Over Expectations and Performance Details

Going over expectations and performance details with an Irish dancer before hiring them is crucial for ensuring a successful and enjoyable experience. Not only does having clear expectations help avoid misunderstandings, but it also ensures that the dancer understands your vision for the performance. It's also smart to discuss the length of the performance and any Irish wedding songs that may be meaningful to you to help the dancer plan their routine accordingly and ensure a seamless integration into your wedding timeline.

Check for Cultural Appropriateness

Checking for cultural appropriateness is essential when hiring an Irish dancer for your wedding, especially if you are not of Irish heritage. Irish dance is a rich cultural tradition with a long history. It's important to respect the cultural significance of the dance and avoid any misappropriation or stereotypes. It's crucial to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes or clichés about Irish culture. A culturally appropriate performance will celebrate the richness and diversity of Irish heritage.

How Long to Hire an Irish Dancer for Your Wedding

This can vary depending on how many dancers will be performing and when. If you are having a large dance group perform during your reception, Healy says to expect a 15-minute dance set to entertain your guests. "This would be great to schedule while guests are eating their main entree," she says. "If you are considering having guests entertained while at cocktail hour, you may have multiple dancers take turns doing solo dances, or dances in smaller groups of two or four."

Irish Wedding Dancers to Know

Here are some Irish dancing companies you can reach out to and contact to hire a performer for your wedding. You can find more at The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

Colorado Celtic Entertainment Agency in Edgewater, Colorado

Colorado Celtic Entertainment Agency offers a myriad of music and dance performers who specialize in Irish and Scottish traditions. Their musicians play traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes while their dancers are highly skilled and experienced in Irish and Celtic dance. You can customize their packages to match your event theme and preferences and know that rest assured, they're committed to professionalism and honoring cultural traditions.

Kennedy's Kitchen in South Bend, Indiana

This South Bend-based Irish music group specializes in traditional Irish tunes and ceili dancing. Kennedy's Kitchen has more than two decades of experience gracing weddings with their music which includes classic Irish pub songs, played on a variety of instruments including fiddle, flute, whistle, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, banjo, harmonica, bodhran and bass. They've showcased their talent at renowned Irish festivals like Milwaukee Irish Fest, Michigan Irish Music Fest and Dayton Irish Fest, bringing the spirit of traditional Irish music to audiences across the country. They have dancers available for hire to dance along with their music.

The HiBs in Saint Paul, Minnesota

This professional wedding band, named after their favorite Cork City pub, features Jode Dowling on fiddle, Kate Dowling on flute and whistle and Patsy O'Brien on guitar and vocals. The HiBs operate out of Saint Paul, Minnesota and specialize in traditional Irish folk music. They have a unique musical ensemble that spins a Celtic-inspired repertoire of songs and instrumental tunes to get your wedding crowd going. They can also call traditional Irish dances to get your guests up and moving to learn one or more group dances.

Celtic Music for Your Wedding in Alexandria, Virginia

Celtic Music for Your Wedding offers a wide range of performers who specialize in Celtic music, including Irish and Scottish performers who dance and sing and perform all up the East Coast. Their team of professional musicians has graced prestigious venues nationwide, including the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall and even the White House. Reviewers note that the team is friendly, professional and easy to work with.