Choosing from a long list of quartets and deciding on the right songs to play for the right part of your wedding ceremony can be very confusing. To help you make sure you get it right here are ten top tips from Amy Gordon who plays in one of the best quartets in the country (The Hallion quartet).
1. Book early
Book your Quartet as early as possible. The most sought after acts often get booked up a year in advance,
especially over the busiest summer months. Once you have confirmed the booking you will receive a booking contract and will be asked to pay a 30% deposit. This gives you peace of mind that you have secured a really good quartet and gives you loads of time to add the finer details later on.
2. How do we know if they are any good?
A common problem is that unlike most wedding bands for hire, most professional quartets will only play at private events which makes it very difficult for you to hear them live before confirming the booking. These tips should give you reassurance that you are hiring a top class quartet.- In the quartets biography it should outline what music college they studied at and how long they have been playing for. All top class quartets will have studied at a reputable music college. They know their art, love what they do, have loads of experience and will do anything they can to make your wedding day a success.- there should be up to date testimonials from previous satisfied clients on their web site or profile page.- Their profile should look professional; professional photographs, smartly dressed, good mp3 audio samples.- For peace of mind use a well known music agency to manage the booking. A reputable music agency will only work with the most professional and experienced quartets. It also means that if something goes wrong or you need to find a last minute replacement they will have it covered and avert any potential disasters. A reputable agency will have a good web site, with contracts, up to date testimonials for the quartets and generally put your mind at ease over all the logistics. They will have been through the process thousands of times before and know all the necessary logistical arrangements and pitfalls in arranging the music you want.
3. BudgetLike most bands for weddings, you get what you pay for. Most professional quartets will cost between £450 to £600. If you have been quoted less than this we would advise caution and that you try to see them play live. If you can't afford a quartet most ensembles will play as a trio or even a duo. This will not only be cheaper but if you are getting married in a smaller venue it might be better in terms of space.
4. The mood you want to createHave a think about what mood you would like your music to set. Think about whether you would like a relaxed mood, a sophisticated mood, music that will create a backdrop for conversing, a contemporary feel or a mix of old and new.
5. Choice of MusicA good quartet will have played at hundreds of wedding receptions and will be able to provide you with a full list of suggestions without you having to spend your precious time thinking about what to play and at what stage of the ceremony. Most classical ensembles will be able to play a mixture of classical, pop classical, folk, broadway, romantic, and popular music arrangements. However, it is good idea to let them know if you have any specific requests and discuss any particular styles you want/do not want played. Why not ask if the quartet would play a string arrangement of one of your favourite pop songs
See my song suggestions for the different stages of your wedding ceremony below.
6. Approval from your minister/registrarAlways get approval for your choice of music from your church minister or registrar – in a civil ceremony you will be unable to have any religious music.
7. Schedule on the day- A quartet will normally take 15 to 20 minutes to set up. Liaise with the venue to make sure there is appropriate seating arranged where they are playing.- Make sure you confirm the duration of time your musicians will perform for (normally 2 to 3 hours) including the number of breaks. The musicians will generally need a short break of at least 5 minutes in every hour.- If the quartet is playing in more than one location, or for more than one session it's always worth providing a schedule of events so it is very clear where they have to be and at what time.
8. Open-Air Music:If you want musicians to play outside, ensure that this is made clear, and agreed with them before the event. Because the quartets instruments are often worth thousands of pounds they will need protection for the elements with a gazebo/awning. An outdoor performance will also be weather dependant if it is wet or too windy so you will need a back up arrangement.
9. Balance PaymentIf you are paying the balance on the day, ask an usher or the best man to look after the cash/cheque and pass it to the players.
10. Music ideas for your wedding ceremony;
The Processional (as the bride makes her entrance)• Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke• Salut d’Amour by Elgar• Air from the Water Music Suite by Handel• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel• Hornpipe from the Water Music Suite by Handel• Wedding March from the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart• Trumbet Tune by Purcell• Spring from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi• Wedding March from Lohengrin by Wagner
The signing of the Register• Air of the G String by Bach• Chanson de Matin by Elgar• Pavane by Faure• Morning from Peer Gynt Suite by Greig• 4th Movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart• Canon in D by Pachelbel
The Recessional (as the newly-wed couple leave)• Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke• Hornpipe from the Water Music Suite by Handel• Wedding March (from a Midsummer Night’s Dream) by Mendelssohn• Brandenburg Concerto no 3 by Bach
