Have you played weddings at St. James 1868?
Many times. St. James 1868 is the Milwaukee venue Dream City Strings has played more than any other.
Yes. We've played 21 events at St. James 1868 from 2021 to 2025: 19 weddings, a private celebration dinner and a luxury wedding showcase. Book a quartet, trio or duo for your ceremony and cocktail hour, or call 414-253-2504.
Our St. James 1868 events, year by year
| Year | What we played |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 weddings |
| 2022 | 5 weddings, a private celebration dinner and a luxury wedding showcase |
| 2023 | 9 weddings |
| 2024 | 2 weddings |
| 2025 | 1 wedding |
Couples have found us through the venue, too. One bride's very first message to us said St. James had recommended us for her ceremony.
What clients book at St. James 1868
- The ceremony. About 10 songs of prelude (around 30 minutes) as guests sit down, your processionals, quiet while the officiant speaks, then the recessional and about 3 more songs as guests head out. How ceremony music works.
- Cocktail hour. About 20 songs an hour. One bride's family told us guests called the strings a special touch during cocktail hour. Cocktail hour music.
- Private dinners. At a 2022 celebration dinner there, the guests turned the music into a game of name that tune.
For any of these, the musicians arrive about 30 minutes before the music starts, and we ask for a chair for each player in each spot. If you'd like music in two places, one move works best: the players need a moment to settle in and retune. What a quartet needs from the venue.
In their words
★★★★★“Working with you guys was seamless! It took our ceremony to the next level and made it so special.”
★★★★★“They sounded fantastic, looked very professional and many guests commented about what a special touch they were during the cocktail hour.”
★★★★★“We’re so so happy we found this group and had them a part of our special day.”
★★★★★“Everyone had a blast trying to name that tune.”
Holding your St. James date
Send your date and the parts of the day you want covered. If it's open, you sign the contract and pay a 50% deposit in your BookLive client portal, and the balance is due a week before the wedding. Song picks happen in the same portal and are due about two weeks out. How booking works.
St. James 1868 questions
How often have you played St. James 1868?
21 times from 2021 to 2025: 19 weddings, a private celebration dinner and a luxury wedding showcase.
Can you play both the ceremony and cocktail hour?
Yes. Plan on about 10 songs of prelude, your processionals and recessional, and about 20 songs for each hour of cocktail hour.
What do you need from the venue?
A chair for each player in each spot where we play.
When do the musicians arrive?
About 30 minutes before the music starts, to set up and tune.