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.

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

This is usually fine. Please contact Lucie on 0412 582 437 by midday on the day (or at least 3 hours before 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, you can definitely have two songs for the Processional, but we usually recommend one. We can play one song so that it builds for longer rather than two shorter ones.

IMPORTANT: With two songs, you must 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 it is more seamless with just one song building. For the bride’s entrance, when choosing 2 processional songs,  it’s best if you wait for the music for the 2nd song to start before walking.

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

Processional:

Step 1: Please ask your celebrant (or wedding coordinator) to let our musicians know as soon as the bridal cars have arrived at the church/location (so possibly 5 – 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony).

Step 2:  Another cue to our musicians is required when the bridal party is approx. 2 – 3 minutes from entering.

Step 3: A final official cue to our strings for the start of the Processional is then required. This is usually given by the celebrant.

Signing: After signing 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 must let the string quartet know their cue for the ceremony’s end. e.g. “I’d now like to introduce you to …..”

Confirming the celebrant can let the string quartet know their recessional cue on the day. They do not need to contact us beforehand.

Confirming the ceremony time is not counted as an official break. There is no break for bookings which are for 1.5 hours (or less).

No, sorry, this is no longer a possible option with Stringspace.

Our only option for weddings is for your friend/relative to sing Ave Maria. Please note this needs to be organised in advance.

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 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 before the ceremony and before most of your guests arrive.

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

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 perfect amount of time to book for a wedding. However, 1 hour and 1.25 hours can potentially be fine too.

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

• Pre-ceremony music: Usually, 10 – 30 minutes of planned music is perfect for pre-ceremony music. This is music to be performed as your guests arrive and are waiting.
• Bride arrival time: You can potentially book for 1 hour, however, everything will need to be very punctual, with definitely just 10 – 15 minutes of planned pre-ceremony music. A booking time of 1.25 – 1.5 hours can give you a little more time. 1.5 hours is our most popular option.
• Processional timing:  2 – 5 minutes
• Readings: These are usually 3 – 5 minutes each, so about 6 – 10 minutes in total.
• Homily: How long does the celebrant/priest give for their personal speech (homily)? This can range from 5 – 25 minutes.
• Vows: approx. 5 – 7 minutes.
• Signing of the Register: Usually we perform two songs during this time, so approx. 8 minutes for this section.
• Candle-lighting: If you include any extra readings, candle-lighting ceremonies, music or cultural rituals in your ceremony.
• Other general movements and speaking during the ceremony can range from 5 – 20 minutes. This is usually dependent on your celebrant/priest.
• Full Catholic ceremonies: that include Offertory & Communion should always be a minimum of 1.5 hours.
• Recessional (as you walk back down the aisle): 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 along the way.

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

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

As we perform at weddings so often, and as weddings usually follow a clear format, we usually don’t attend ceremony rehearsals.

To have musicians attend your rehearsal, the prices are the same as for all bookings with Stringspace, so it’s quite an expensive option.

Yes, we usually speak to the celebrant/priest before the ceremonies start to discuss cues. Please also give celebrants our “Stringspace Celebrant Tips” (listed above) before the day.

Yes, please have someone organised to give the musicians their cues for the Processional (see Stringspace Celebrant Tips above).

Priests usually signal for your guests to stand for church weddings and give us the official Processional cue/nod to start. Leading up to this they will also usually let our musicians know once the bridal party cars have arrived, so we know the ceremony is close to starting.

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

Confirming we do not provide complimentary recordings. Most of our songs are now available to stream on Spotify and YouTube and to purchase on iTunes.

We will absolutely ensure that the music will keep playing until you reach the altar; this may mean adding a seamless repeat to make the ending sound natural.

We suggest the following:

Offertory:

• Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Bach – Air
• Bach – Arioso
• Delibes – Flower Duet
• Handel – Air
• Amazing Grace

Communion (1-2 songs):

• Bach – Arioso
• Bach/ Gounod – Ave Maria
• Bach – Air
• Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Handel – Andante con Moto
• Handel – Largo
• Handel – Passacaile
• Franck – Panis Angelicus
• Schubert – Ave Maria
• Amazing Grace
• All Creatures of Our God & King

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