A String Quartet consists of 4 string instruments: 2 violins, 1 viola & 1 cello. It has beautiful rich harmonies and a fabulous effect. Our pop songs, in particular, sound best with a full string quartet.

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, you can 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 songs before walking – otherwise, the music could be in the process of being 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!

SUMMARY: 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.

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

Yes, we usually speak to the celebrant/priest before the ceremonies start to discuss cues

Processional:

1st Cue: 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). Our musicians will then know that the ceremony is close to starting.

2nd Cue:  The next cue is for when the bridal party are approx. 2 – 3 minutes from entering. This is our cue to start to finish the song our musicians are playing in preparation for the Processional.

Final Cue: The final official cue is for the start of the Processional. Priests usually signal for your guests to stand for church weddings and give us the official Processional cue/nod to start.

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Recessional: After signing the register, the celebrant will need to speak for approx. 1-2 mins as our musicians change over songs.

Recessional Cue: The celebrant must let our string quartet know their cue for the recessional. e.g. “I’d like to introduce you to …..”

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

We always recommend booking for the maximum time you think 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 fast ceremony and know you’ll be starting on time. We generally recommend 1.25 – 1.5 hours.

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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

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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.

• 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.
• Processional:  2 – 5 minutes
• Readings: Usually 3 – 5 minutes each, so approx. 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: 5 – 7 minutes.
• Signing of the Register: 8 minutes (2 songs here)
• Candle-lighting: If you include any extra readings, candle-lighting ceremonies, music or cultural rituals in your ceremony. Additional 5 minutes.
• 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.

Wedding time variables when you are considering how long to book:

Bride arrival time: You can potentially book for 1 hour, however, everything will need to be very punctual, with only 10 – 15 minutes of scheduled 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 for wedding bookings.

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).

Our musicians stay in place and wait for their cues.

We currently have just 1 song option for your friend/relative to sing Ave Maria with our strings. Please note rehearsal time needs to be factored in when making your booking.

Ave Maria (either by Bach/Gounod or Schubert) is a popular choice and is one of the easier songs to put together with strings, so will require minimal 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 10 minute run-through before the ceremony and before most of your guests arrive.

Please note all rehearsal time (usually 10-15 mins) with singers is to be paid for at our usual performance rates.

Yes. Many of the audio mp3 files 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 events 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.

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

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

Please have your ceremony booklet waiting on our musicians chairs, so they can follow the order of service.

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.

Confirming we do not provide complimentary recordings. However, most of our songs, on our included main repertoire page, are now available to stream on Spotify and YouTube and are available 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 if required.

Our string quartet musicians always perform acoustically for weddings with our beautifully bound paper sheet music. We do not rely on electricity and battery power to activate our music

We do require reading light if the venue is dark.

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.

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