Handy Tips

Taken from an ‘Ask the Expert’ article published in Ireland’s Wedding Journal

Why have a string quartet at your wedding?

Whilst couples tend to give much thought to their choice of music for the ceremony and evening entertainment, they frequently forget to consider their requirements for the rest of the day. Good hosts appreciate the need to keep their guests happy, relaxed and in a party mood throughout the day and a string quartet is one of the classiest ways to do this.

An experienced quartet playing popular classics, love songs and ballades in the background can create the most wonderful relaxing atmosphere and enhance everyone’s experience of the day.

How do you choose the right one?

If you want the best, enquire 12-18 months in advance as the best quartets get booked up early.

Entertainment agencies can charge up to 30% commission, so it may save you money if you book your quartet directly.

Ask who the members of the quartet are, their qualifications, and find out how long they have been playing together. If you’re paying out a lot of money you want to know you are getting a quartet who know what they are doing. Quartet playing is a specialist skill and takes years to perfect - four people thrown together for your wedding is not something you want. You simply would not contemplate having a band for the evening reception made up of people who had never rehearsed together - that would sound disastrous! So don’t settle for a substandard quartet either.

Make sure you get a contract of service or at least written confirmation.

Get a copy of their demo if they have one and ask where you can hear them play. Go listen and watch. Make sure their presentation is good and their playing of a standard you find acceptable.

Beware the quartets who advertise claiming to be a ‘professional quartet’ when in fact they are using the term in the context of receiving payment rather than as a reflection of their level of experience or ability - this is a widespread misconception.

Weddings inevitably run late. Find out what the quartet’s policy is on playing after the agreed time. If they are inflexible, keep searching.

Ask for a list of the music they play so you can choose the music you want to be heard on the day. If they can’t supply a list, this means they’re not very organised and it would be advisable for you to move on.

Only some professional quartets have public liability insurance. School, student and amateur quartets will not have this cover. This may be an important consideration for you in case of an accident involving any of your guests - you don’t want this to come back on you.

If you want music in the church, find out if the quartet include playing for your guests' arrival. If they don’t, then insist they at least set up before the guests start to arrive. Be careful they don’t add on an extra charge if the ceremony starts late and runs over the time agreed. It is best to use a flexible quartet and one which offers a flat rate fee. If you want the quartet to accompany the hymns choose one that is willing to provide the music, all necessary music arrangements and will accompany a singer if required.

String instruments are very delicate and can be damaged easily in direct sunlight. They can cost tens of thousands of euros so understandably players can be very protective of them and don’t want to play in the sun. If you would like the quartet to play outside at your drinks reception, make sure you find out in advance if they’ll do so and get it in writing. There’s no point in paying for a string quartet sitting in a hotel lobby playing to no one, while your guests are outside enjoying champagne in the sunshine.

If you have more than 100 guests and you’re thinking of having a quartet playing while you have your meal in a large banqueting suite, don’t waste your money on a string quartet which does not have it’s own PA System, because it will just not be heard. A microphone placed in front of them hooked into the in-house system will not work either.

How much will it cost?

Most quartets take bookings on hourly increments with the majority not taking bookings of more than 3/4 hours. There may be travelling expenses on top of the fee quoted, although some quartets don’t charge extra.

A school quartet will have limited experience and the playing standard will reflect this. Expect to here the same pieces several times as the musical repertoire will be small. It may be worth thinking about how the music will sound on your video. Expect to pay between £80-£200 / €120-€295.

A student quartet will be slightly better quality, but will probably be ad hoc. Reliability and punctuality may be considerations. From £160 - (but pay no more than) £300 / €235 - €440

An amateur or semi-professional quartet will be made up of keen music lovers and will have a large selection of music to choose from. It is likely semi-pro players have day jobs; so it may be difficult for them to be available on weekdays. Standard of playing can vary greatly. £300+ / €440+

A professional quartet will be of top quality and have an extensive repertoire of music to choose from. These players are full time musicians at the top of their profession and these quartets will give you the best musical performance available. If run as a professional business, they should be registered for VAT. Make sure to ask if VAT is included in the price quoted or is to be added on. Expect to pay £350+ / €660+ for quality.

In conclusion, choose wisely and remember all string quartets are not the same, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.