Hi
I have done a lot of weddings....
Keep it very, very simple...yes... Barn dance, family dance, community dance dances,.
Never any contras ...too much work ...it all needs to be fun.
Have the Bride and Groom done any trad dancing before this event? If not, do impress on them that it is pretty essential that they dance the full first set otherwise their guests will not feel required to do so.
Two hand turn not a swing ...too hard to teach ( especially if they have been drinking)
Let the B & G know that they should let their guests know that there will be traditional dancing and their participation is expected. Have them ask the women to bring shoes for dancing ...flats , lace up s, NO FLIP FLOPS or stiletto hells.
Alcohol ...well ...Impress at some point that Booze does not help you dance .....
Space....the standard " floor" in a wedding tent is never big enough, so ask for a min of 40 square feet.
Charge what is a decent fee (and if you have to drive more than 1.5 hours each way charge a gas fee)
or you will not be valued...Last Time I checked a DJ was charging about $1,000 a night. Do you have a relaxed band (only need 2 fiddle and keyboard) and if so can they bring the sound system?
Lots of mixers....long way sets ...1 active couple ( ie Virginia Reel, Bridge of Athlone etc)
Easy Sicilian Circles...to have them practice right and left elbow, do-si-do etc
Will there be small children ...another issue.
Timing ...Every wedding I have ever done is late ...speeches run over time, catering gets delayed.etc. etc. etc. You may be invited to take part in the dinner, however that usually means another extra 2-3 hours before the dance... Once after waiting more than an extra hour I let the MC know that ( given we had been paid , and we each had a 2 hour drive home) that we would be leaving in 15 minutes if he did not get speeches wrapped up. Harsh but real.
Good Luck....
Lorraine Sutton Ontario, Canada