A String Quartet is made up of 4 string instruments: 2 violins, 1 viola & 1 cello. It has rich harmonies and a beautiful effect.

A String Trio is 3 instruments: 2 violins & 1 cello; or violin, viola, and cello. This is a good option if there is restricted space. Please note most of our String Quartet songs can also be performed by String Trio.

A String Duo is usually 1 violin & 1 cello. Our violinist performs the melody and cellist accompanies.

All 3 of the above options are popular for weddings, parties and corporate events.

Yes, we have lots of classical, jazz and pop audio samples on our LOOK & LISTEN page.

You can find Stringspace videos on our YouTube channel StringspaceLive! Some of our songs are also now available for streaming on Spotify & Apple Music, and available for purchase on iTunes.

Stringspace string musicians are expected to arrive approx. 20 minutes prior to the start of your event.

Our jazz band musicians aim to be set up approx. 30 minutes prior.

String quartet amplification is suggested for events with over 130 guests, though not essential.

If using amplification, we recommend placing 2 microphones on stands in front of the string quartet, OR for an extra clear, beautiful amplified sound we recommend clip-on DPA microphones.

If you are holding a particularly big event, you may also want to consider adding extra string players for added volume and effect eg. 6-12 players (instead of 2-4).

Amplification is not usually required or needed for string church bookings.

Jazz & Pop Band Amplification:

• Amplification is usually recommended for events that have over 130 guests. Double bass and guitar will almost always need some amplification.
• Band musicians can provide their own jazz/pop band amplification for events with up to 250 guests.
• Please note all venues must have access to electrical outlets.
• Singers may require professional AV.

PA System:

• Most venues will have a PA system for dealing with sound requirements. They’ll also usually have an AV person who is on-site to operate the desk/sound etc.

Stringspace girls wear stylish black; Guys wear black suit pants with a white or black shirt. Black jackets are optional.

Meals are appreciated for events longer than 3 hours for strings, and refreshments are appreciated for bookings that are over 1.5 hours.

Jazz band musicians arrive earlier (to set up) so they appreciate a lunch/dinner meal for bookings that are over 2.5 hours.

Yes, shade/shelter from direct sunlight or rain (even light rain) is required.

This may mean finding a location that has shade, eg: shade from trees, a veranda close to the ceremony or a gazebo.

A large secure umbrella is also a popular option for shade.

Please email a photo to Stringspace of your suggested outdoor location.

Please make sure your market umbrella has a sturdy base.

This is usually fine. Please contact Lucie on 0412 582 437 by midday on the day (or at least 3 hours prior to your event).

Please note the booking time will need to remain the same and the venue needs to be within the same general location.

Yes, this is usually fine.

Please note that extra charges usually apply for special requests that are not already listed on our LOOK & LISTEN page.

We always recommend booking for the maximum amount of time that you may require.

1.25 – 1.5 hours is highly recommended for wedding bookings. 1 hour can potentially also be fine if you’re expecting a particularly fast ceremony and know  you’ll be starting on time. We generally recommend 1.25 – 1.5 hours.

Overtime is calculated at $2 + GST per musician per minute. There will also be a $50 + GST administration fee.

There is no guarantee that our musicians will be able to stay for unexpected overtime.

In the event that social distancing or industry shutdown policies mandated by State or Federal Governments mean that your event can no longer go ahead, we will happily postpone your booking for up to 18 months.

In all other circumstances, our usual cancellation policy applies (see below).

Please get in contact ASAP if there are any other unforeseen coronavirus concerns regarding your booking.

Yes, you can definitely have two songs for the Processional, but we usually recommend one. We can play 1 song so that it builds for longer, rather than two shorter ones.

IMPORTANT: With two songs you will need to wait until the last bridesmaid is in place at the top of the aisle, and then wait again for approx.  4 – 8 seconds as we change over our sheet music and count in the speed for the 2nd song before walking – otherwise the music will be changed over whilst you’re walking, which could mean there might be a moment when you are walking down the aisle in complete silence with no music.  We really want to try and avoid this from happening!

So, it can definitely be done but is more seamless with just one song building. Mainly you just need to remember to wait for the music to be changed over and for the 2nd song to start before walking.

Please note if you do decide to choose 2 songs for the Processional it’s a great idea to organise one of your friends to stand next to us and let us know when the final bridesmaid has reached the front. It can sometimes be difficult for us to see & count the number of bridesmaids, particularly if guests are standing.

Processional: Make sure your celebrant has had enough time to give the cue to the string quartet to start playing before the 1st bridesmaid starts walking. Ideally, we recommend having someone organised to give both the celebrant and string quartet a cue for the Processional.

Signing: After the signing of the register the celebrant will need to speak for approx. 1-2 mins as the musicians turn pages to the Recessional song.

Recessional: The celebrant needs to let the string quartet know what their cue is going to be at the end of the ceremony. eg. “I’d now like to introduce you to …..”

The celebrant can let the string quartet know what their recessional cue is going to be on the day. They do not need to contact us beforehand.

The ceremony time is not counted as an official break. However, for bookings over 1.5 hours, there will be less of a break at the start (within the first 2 hours) if a wedding ceremony is included.

There is no break for 1.5-hour bookings.

Yes, we can usually perform with a singer. Please contact us with details well in advance of your wedding.

Stringspace tip:

Ave Maria (either by Bach/Gounod or Schubert) is a popular option for a classical song and is one of the easier songs to put together with strings, so this will need less rehearsal time.

We do recommend booking for a minimum of 1.5 hours so that your friend can have a short rehearsal with the musicians at the start of your booking. E.g.: For a 3 PM wedding, we recommend booking from 2:30 PM (or 2:15 PM), so that your friend can have a short 5-10 minute run through prior to the ceremony and before most of your guests arrive.

Please note all rehearsal time (usually 5-15 mins) with singers needs to be paid for at the usual rates.

Jazz/Pop: We will need more details.

Music is usually performed as your guests arrive and are waiting. It is a good idea to allow some time for this.

E.g.: for a 3 PM wedding:

1-hour booking: 2:50 – 3:50 PM

1.25-hour bookings: 2:45 – 4 PM

1.5-hour bookings: 2:30 – 4 PM; 2:40 – 4:10 PM or 2:45 – 4:15 PM

From experience, 1.5 hours is a really good amount of time to book for a wedding.

WEDDING TIME VARIABLES TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING HOW LONG TO BOOK:

• How much music you would like as your guests arrive and are waiting. Usually, 10 – 30 minutes planned music is perfect for pre-ceremony.
• What time the bridal party arrives. Please note if you are wanting to book for 1 hour it can be possible, but everything will need to be very punctual with definitely just 10 – 15 minutes planned pre-ceremony music. 1.25 – 1.5 hours can give you a little more time, so it’s our most popular option.

• The processional: 2 – 5 minutes.
• How long the readings you have chosen are. These are usually 3 – 5 minutes each, so about 6 – 10 minutes in total.
• How long the celebrant/priest give for their personal speech (homily). This can range from 5 – 25 minutes.
• The vows: approx. 5 minutes.
• How long the celebrant/priest take for the signing. Often we perform 2 songs during this time, so approx. 6 – 8 minutes for this section.
• Other general movement and speaking during the ceremony can range from 5 – 20 minutes. This is usually dependent on your celebrant/priest.
• If you include any extra readings, candle lighting ceremonies, music or cultural rituals in your ceremony.
• Full Catholic ceremonies (that include Offertory & Communion) should always be a minimum of 1.5 hours.
• The recessional is usually approx. 2 – 5 minutes.

Yes. Many of the audio clips on the LOOK & LISTEN page are only short samples. The pieces we play on the day are the full songs.

We don’t usually meet up before the event as we find that most details can be organised by email or phone, and do not require consultations.

Please call or email Lucie with any questions that you may have.

Absolutely! If you are interested in viewing Stringspace live prior to your event, please send an email for date and venue performance details.

Also, you can always check out or YouTube channel StringspaceLive for videos.

As we perform at weddings so often, and as weddings usually follow a clear format, we find that it is not usually necessary to attend ceremony rehearsals.

To have musicians attend your rehearsal, the prices are the same as for all bookings with Stringspace.

Yes, we usually speak to the celebrant/priest prior to the start of the ceremony to discuss cues. Please also give celebrants our “Stringspace Outdoor Ceremony Tips” (listed above) prior to the day.

Yes, it is a really good idea to have someone organised to give the musicians their cue for the Processional, particularly for outdoor weddings.

Priests usually give the cue & signal for your guests to stand for indoor church weddings.

The music will subtly fade out and cadence once you reach the altar.

Sorry, we do not provide complimentary recordings. Some of our songs are available to stream on Spotify and YouTube, and for purchase on iTunes.

We will absolutely ensure that the music will keep playing until you reach the altar, even if we have to add a seamless repeat.

We suggest the following:

Offertory:

Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Communion (1-2 songs):

Bach/ Gounod – Ave Maria OR Schubert – Ave Maria
Bach – Air

Stringspace recommends definitely booking for a minimum of 1.5 hours for a full Catholic ceremony.

Yes we do. Stringspace is covered for Public Liability by Marsh Australia for up to $20,000,000.

The liability of Stringspace for any damages arising out of any booking, and/or any performance, is limited to the total amount of any fee which would otherwise be payable for such a booking or performance.

Full payment – minus a $330 cancellation fee – is refundable up to 30 days prior to any event.
In the case of a cancellation occurring after this time, 50% of total hire charge will be payable.

Cancellations within 48 hours of your event are non-refundable.