Live music at any wedding, event, or private party is a special and meaningful addition to any day, and string ensembles, with their rich, sophisticated sound, are perfect for the most important moments of your life. However, like many things in life, there are a lot of factors involved when choosing the best group for your day, but this guide is here to help you find the perfect fit your your big day.

The String Quartet - The Full Package

The string quartet has been a hit for the last 250 years, and is ideal for performing anything from classical favourites to popular hits.

Rich, Full Sound

A string quartet consists of two violins, a viola, and a cello. With the violins typically playing higher notes, the cello playing the bass, and the viola filling the gap, this results in a full sound which is part of the reason that the string quartet has been such a bastion of chamber music for such a long time.

Extensive Repertoire

The string quartet has an enormous choice of classical music to choose from, written by some of the best composers of all time including Mozart and Beethoven. But thanks to them, people have been able to incorporate their style into modern arrangements to create fantastic versions of modern tunes, most popular these days in the Bridgerton series.

Visual Statement

Everyone knows what a string quartet is, and the sight of seeing four musicians working together to make great music at your event will leave your guests amazed.

Cost

The cost of booking musicians can vary greatly, however what remains constant with any group is that their string quartet will almost always outprice their other groups, due to the fact that there are more musicians involved. There isn’t a commonly offered group that has more musicians than a string quartet before it becomes a small string orchestra (which would cost thousands!).

Space Requirements

Not usually a massive problem, but string quartets need slightly more space than a duo or trio, as there are four musicians involved. The musicians will almost always be sat down, and it’s best that they have some extra space to move around and also to account for their bowing. We don’t want to poke anyone’s eye out!

The String Trio - A Balanced, Cheaper Option

The string trio is becoming increasingly popular recently. Although it’s overshadowed by the string quartet, it’s still a viable choice for any special event.

Balanced, Intimate Sound

The difference between the quartet and the trio is there’s one less violin. This means that the trio is similar to the quartet, where the violin will play the higher notes, the cello will play the bass, and the viola will fill in the middle. However, because there’s one less musician, the sound is more intimate - ideal for smaller settings.

Fewer Arrangements

As the string trio is less popular than the string quartet, there are generally less arrangements. However, many quartet arrangements can be easily adapted for trio. If there were just one or two songs that we didn’t have for trio, we’d happily arrange them for trio for no extra cost.

Slightly Less Space Requirement

As you may expect, there’s slightly less space required as there’s one fewer musician.

Saving Money

As there’s less musicians to pay, string trios are less expensive than string quartets on the whole.

Violin and Harp Duo - A Refreshing Change

One group that we offer at Egerton Strings is the Violin and Harp duo. It’s a lesser-seen combination, but really enchanting and refreshing.

Mystical, Beautiful Sound

One clear reason that you’d want a violin and harp at your wedding is because of the unique sound. The violin often plays the melody with the harp accompanying. The ethereal combination of violin and harp can transport your guests to a fairytale setting. You can hear some sample recordings here. If you want you’re looking for something a bit different, you might want to consider the violin and harp duo.

Less Expensive than a String Quartet

Consider this an alternative option to a string quartet. There’s only two musicians involved, so it’s not as expensive as a quartet.

Can Play Many Songs

The violin and harp duo are able to learn almost any request, as we regularly play together and are always learning new music. The harp specialises in slower, more romantic songs, and we can even do slowed down versions of your favourites.

Violin and Cello Duo - A Good Budget Option

The violin and cello duo is a great choice for any event, but especially for a budget-friendly option.

Limited Sound

Typically, the violin will play the melody with the cello playing the bass. Many songs work with this, and still sound like the original, but you may find it lacking some of the rhythm accompaniment that the quartet and trio has from the viola/2nd violin.

Budget Friendly

The duo has two musicians, so it is by far the cheapest out of all of our options.

Growing List of Arrangements

Again, it’s not as historic as the string quartet, and therefore there are much fewer arrangements out there. And due to the reasons in the sound section, the arrangements are inherently simpler than a quartet. But we’re constantly working on more quality arrangements and adding them to our repertoire.

Least Space Requirements

The duo requires very little space. This means we are comfortable in tight spaces or unconventional setups.

Choosing The Right Ensemble For You

There’s a few repeating factors that are the most important for you to consider when booking a group for your event.

Your Budget

Determine how much you’re willing to spend on music. A duo is a very good budget option, and the quartet is on the other end of the spectrum as a top quality package. A string trio or violin and harp duo would sit in the middle range.

Your Venue and Event

These go hand in hand, as you should think about the venue where your musicians will be sitting. Can you see a quartet fitting in that space, or would a trio be better? But you should also think about your event. If there’s over 100 guests, will a violin and harp duo have a chance competing with their voices?

Your Music Choices

Do you have certain classical pieces in mind that are written for quartet? If so, it might be difficult to replicate on a violin and cello duo (but definitely ask us anyways, and we’ll give you the best advice for your scenario). And if you want a lot of slow music with an ethereal vibe, for example, you might want to consider a violin and harp. As a bonus tip for reaching it this far, you may even want to consider a solo harpist.

Conclusion

The choice between a string quartet, trio, or duo ultimately depends on your event’s specific needs and your personal preferences. Whether you prefer the grand presence of a string quartet, the balance of a trio, or the intimacy of a duo, the right choice will resonate with your personal style and the vibe of your celebration. By weighing the pros and cons and considering your venue, budget, and musical tastes, you can select the perfect string ensemble to make your event truly unforgettable.

Need help deciding? Contact us today for a free quote and personalised advice on the best choice to create the perfect soundtrack for your event.