A string quartet is four players: two violins, a viola and a cello. You can book it acoustic, the classic sound for ceremonies, dinners and receptions, or electric, playing through a sound system so it carries across a ballroom, a beach or a stage. The videos on this page show real quartet performances.
When a quartet is worth it
Headline moments. The opening of a gala, a product reveal, the couple's entrance. Four players on stage look and sound like an event, not background music.
Large rooms. In a ballroom with hundreds of guests, one violinist can feel small. A quartet holds the room.
Wedding ceremonies with a view. On a terrace or a beach, an electric quartet stays clear over wind and open space.
What a quartet plays
- Pop and dance songs arranged for strings.
- Film and TV themes that guests recognise at once.
- Classical favourites, with more weight than a solo player can give them.
- Your requests. Send them early: arrangements for four players take longer to prepare than for one.
Quartet, duo or solo?
| Solo violinist | Violin and sax duo | String quartet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound | Intimate | Warm, varied | Big, cinematic |
| Best for | Ceremonies, receptions, small rooms | Long dinners, receptions | Stages, entrances, large rooms |
| Space | Very little | A corner or small stage | A stage or clear area |
A common plan is a solo violinist for the ceremony and the quartet for the entrance into the reception. For corporate stages, see violinists for corporate events.
Space and setup
A quartet needs more planning than a solo player, mostly about space:
- A flat, clear area big enough for four players standing or seated, close to the sound system.
- Power near the players if you book the electric quartet or need sound.
- Time before guests arrive for a sound check. Four instruments need balancing, and that is much harder once the room is full.
- A clear route to the stage if the quartet is part of an entrance or a reveal.
Tell the team about the room early. If space is tight, a violin and saxophone duo can give a similar lift with half the footprint.
What the team needs from you
Send the date, the venue, how long you want the quartet to play, and the songs you have in mind. Say whether you want it acoustic or electric. If you are not sure, tell us the venue and the team will suggest the right one.
