The Ultimate Guide to Booking a String Quartet

If you’re looking for sophisticated elegance when it comes to your wedding music, you can’t go wrong with a string quartet. Designed for intimate events rather than grand concert halls, string quartets offer the wow-factor of live music without being obtrusive. 

Strings are not all soft classical numbers though; most string quartets can turn their hand (or strings) to chart toppers just as easily as they can to Mozart and Beethoven. While quartets such as the Vitamin String Quartet have put pop music played on strings on the map, TV shows like Bridgerton have made it a cultural moment. Audiences everywhere were utterly charmed by ballroom scenes backed with Ariana Grande hits played exquisitely by a violin and a cello. 

Whether you’re in love with the classics, love a contemporary vibe or want to keep guests guessing with a mix of the two, a string quartet is a fantastic choice for weddings and events. Keep reading to find out all about these dreamy line-ups and get yourself on the road to band booking success. 

Before we even begin to consider string quartets in particular, it’s important to tackle the basics of booking a band in general. Before confirming a band, you need to consider the following: 

Your venue – does your venue have space for the band? Do they have volume restrictions? The answers to these questions will impact the band you choose. 

Budget – a 10-piece band with lots of brass instruments will be less purse-friendly than an acoustic duo or a string trio, so decide on a budget before you start browsing bands. 

Performance times – what time can the band arrive? Can the band or parts of the band play at different points during the day? Some members of larger bands can perform smaller sets during the ceremony or drinks reception for an additional cost. 

Extras – check if the band will provide their own lighting and any other special effects that might add extra wow-factor to their performance. 

For a more comprehensive guide to booking a band, read our A-Z guide. 

A string quartet is a form of chamber music, designed for more intimate venues rather than large concert halls. Musicians are positioned close to together and are able to communicate without a conductor through eye contact and listening. String quartets were established in the 18th century and often consist of two violinists, a cellist and a violist. 

The first violinist usually plays the higher notes, while the second plays lower melodies and counter melodies. The viola plays the notes in the middle, and the cello provides the bass. 

String quartets traditionally play in four movements, like a symphony: 1st movement (fast), 2nd movement (slow), 3rd movement (minuet and trio) and 4th movement (fast). 

What Instruments Are in a String Quartet? 

String quartets are typically made up of two violins, one cello and one viola. This is the line-up you’re most likely to see when looking at professional string quartets, however there are some alternatives you may find such as one violin, one cello and two violas. 

You can also get string trios, string trios and string quintets which may include an extra viola, cello or double bass. It’s also possible to add a piano to a string quartet making it a piano quartet. 

What Kind of Music Does a String Quartet Play? 

While string quartets were popularised by classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, string quartets available to hire for weddings and events have varied repertoires that extend beyond classics. Have you ever listened closely to the music in Bridgerton? If you have you’ll have noticed everything from Ariana Grande to Billie Eilish being played by a string quartet. 

Many of our string quartets are able to play full classical sets during a wedding ceremony and then switch things up to a more contemporary vibe during the drinks reception. Alternatively, they can play a mix of both at different points throughout the day.

How Long does a String Quartet Play For? 

A string quartet plays for around two to three hours in total with sets lasting 45-60 minutes each with breaks in between. Very small breaks are also required between each song says Dan of Strettino String Quartet: “We need breaks, approximately one-minute-long ones between numbers to rest and to choose the next song along with longer breaks, usually 5 minutes an hour. We aren’t a Spotify playlist, so there will be silence between songs. Enjoy the anticipation of what’s coming next!”

Can I Choose the Songs a String Quartet Plays? 

Yes, you’re welcome to choose the songs your string quartet plays. 

Andrew from South West String Quartet advises couples to “think about any specific songs they want and whether they are in the repertoire” early on. When you browse our string quartets, you can check out their song lists as well as listen to and watch some of their renditions of the songs. 

You can select songs from these lists to personalise your playlist and ask that any you don’t like are not played on the day. If you have a song in mind that you have your heart set on, check with the band before booking that they’re able to learn and perform it. 

Can a String Quartet Play Outdoors?

Yes, a string quartet can absolutely play outdoors. In fact, one of the best things about this musical set up is that it’s relatively easy to move around and can be more flexible than other types of bands and arrangements. 

Making sure you have an appropriate space for your string quartet is key says Lydia of Starlight Strings: “If you want string players to play outside, you’ll need to provide enough shade to keep the instruments protected. Most of us have old instruments which are expensive and irreplaceable. Choose your locations wisely. The shade of a tree is often the best option, but only if it’s dense enough.”

Speak with your venue in advance about shady spots or possible pop-up shades that could accommodate a string quartet. String quartets are an extremely popular choice for weddings and it’s likely that your venue will have somewhere in mind. 

Can a String Quartet Play as I Walk Down the Aisle? 

Yes! We can think of little else more romantic than the sound of a string quartet playing a meaningful song as you walk up or down the aisle. Strings are often the instruments of choice when it comes to period drama backing tracks or romantic movie soundtracks, so they make the perfect choice for wedding ceremonies. 

Can a String Quartet Play During Multiple Parts of the Day? 

String quartets can easily lend their talents to various parts of a wedding day such as during the ceremony as you walk down the aisle or sign the register, during your drinks reception or between the meal and speeches during your wedding reception. We think they lend a real sense of occasion and elegance to weddings and events. 

What Equipment Does a String Quartet Need? 

Most string quartets need only their instruments and some chairs. They’ll also need some shelter if performing outdoors or a suitable space to perform indoors with plenty of room. As with most musicians for hire, a string quartet will need somewhere to get ready and take breaks: “Musicians like to be fed but will usually have somewhere to be after they finish playing. It’s usually nice to have some canapes or sandwiches available before the ceremony or in the break between sets.” Says XXX of Strettino. 

Convinced a string quartet is for you? Browse our range of professionals or drop us a line and we’ll help you choose the right string quartet for your wedding or event.