Which Instruments Should I Hire for my Wedding Ceremony Music?

It’s one of our most frequently asked questions........

“Which ensemble is best?” ​

​There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to this one!  Yes - the string quartet is the classic wedding ensemble.  Two violins, a viola, and a cello.  It's the quintessential wedding ensemble.  And yes - if you want classic traditional elegance - the string quartet is the way to go.  But - there are many other wonderful options!  Since we’re on the subject of the string quartet, let’s start there…..
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                      The String Quartet

Four instruments is a lot of volume - usually enough volume for 200+ guests at an outdoor ceremony (if it’s not windy). 

It’s a beautiful aesthetic.  Four string instruments set up in that classic configuration that we recognize from so many wedding movies.  It’s pretty!

Another advantage to the string quartet is that lots of music is arranged for string quartet.  So, if you’re wanting some new modern music, you have the best chance of finding it for a string quartet.

*Our string quartet performing at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

The string quartet is versatile.  Guests swoon when they hear Canon in D on string quartet for the bridal entrance.  And they cheer when the ensemble surprises the crowd with an exciting rendition of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” for the recessional.  It can be classical and modern… all at the same wedding!

The one drawback: budget.  Four musicians can put some clients over budget.  If so, check out these other options…..

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                          The String Trio 

*A photo of our string trio at Pinehurst Resort, in Pinehurst, NC

The string trio is basically a string quartet without the viola…. two violins and a cello.  Still decent volume and still beautiful.  And a little more budget-friendly than a quartet.

There are slightly fewer modern songs arranged for trio, so if you’re into modern day music, ask about the song list for the trio before booking! Still lots of modern options here though.

We find that the trio pulls off the same elegance as the quartet without the price tag, so if you want to cut corners a little but still convince your guests that you splurged for strings - the string trio is a great option!

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But what if 3 or 4 instruments is out of my budget but I still want top 40 music?
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      If you want to stick to two musicians but still play some killer covers of pop songs, I recommend pairing a violin with an accompanying instrument!  The violin is a melody instrument which plays the vocals.  If you pair it with a guitar, a piano, or a harp, then you still have all the melody and the accompaniment.  That's all you need to pull off pop music successfully (well... as long as you have two really skilled players who have a lot of experience playing modern music on strings!  Pop music is generally not easy to pull off on strings, so make sure you hear video samples first and hire professionals). ​

Here’s an example of a violin and guitar duet playing "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles:

This is a video from a wedding we played at The Farm at Brusharbor.  It’s plenty of sound!  The violin pulls off the melody. The guitar fills in everything else. ​

What if you want a little more depth of sound?  You can add a violin or cello to make it a trio!  Here’s an example of that:

     
     "But I Just Want a Solo Violin!"

We get this one a lot.  And yes - we play a lot of solo violin weddings!  But…. make sure when you’re browsing YouTube videos for ideas for your solo violinist that you’re actually hearing only a violin.  A lot of solo violin recordings have other instruments in the background.  It’s important to us that you understand exactly how that solo violin is going to sound!  Here’s an example:

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So you see… solo violin can be a pure gorgeous sound!  But if you want it to play a cover of a rock song, it might not quite sound like the original!

Other good solo options are:

Cello solo
Bach Cello Suites, The Swan by Saint-Saens… these are so romantic at a wedding!

Harp solo
Arguably the most romantic instrument that exists!  The harp is a WOW factor. 

Guitar solo
Guitar is so versatile.  It offers many songs that sound really great - classical or popular.

Piano or keyboard solo
If your venue has a piano, take advantage of it!  It’s kind of sad to see a piano sitting there and not being played.  If your venue doesn’t have a piano, a keyboard rental is a great option!

 ​                                       What about another duet?

The other duet we play a lot is the violin cello duet.  It’s beautiful.  It’s very classical but can pull off some pop music.  Double check the song list first to make sure it offers enough of the style that you like.  

*Our violin cello duet at Larkin's on the River in Greenville, SC

Other things to consider....

 WEATHER: Is it going to be very cold or very hot? 
If so, keyboard and guitar are your best options!  They’re not nearly as susceptible to weather as the other instruments.
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AMPLIFICATION:  “Will it be loud enough?” 
​We can amplify any ensemble!  If you’re concerned about the volume, there are tons of amplification options.

“I want my music to be something that my guests will remember forever.  What do you recommend?”
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What about a small orchestra, as seen here….?

*This is a video from a wedding we played at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC.​


Maybe bagpipes for your recessional… or to lead your guests from the cocktail hour into the reception!  Here’s a clip:

*This is a video from a bagpipe wedding at Eseeola Lodge in Linville, NC.

We hear again and again from past clients -

“My guests are still talking about that song you played for me to walk down the aisle.” 

Clients are repeatedly surprised at how many complements they get from their guests about their ceremony music.  It’s something that they remember for a long time.  Music is played during the most emotional moments of a wedding, and when music is used to create such a powerful memory, it sticks around for a long time - for guests, family, your wedding party - and you too! 

Whatever you decide about your wedding ensemble, we’re here to answer your questions and to personalize it so that it fits YOU, your budget, and your vision! 

More questions we can answer?  Leave them in the comments below!  Or email us!

Reach out to us anytime with questions.  Even if you’re not in North or South Carolina, we’re still happy to help point you in the right direction!  And we travel often to other states.
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Contact us at DeansDuets@yahoo.com

Deans’ Duets provides live music for wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception events throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and beyond.