What does a string quartet need from our venue?
A short list to send your venue coordinator, plus a few things you don't need to worry about.
Very little: a chair for each player in each spot we play (four for a quartet, three for a trio, two for a duo), shade if we're outside, and a covered backup if rain is possible. The players arrive about 30 minutes before the music starts, and they don't need meals.
The checklist for your venue
- Chairs. String players sit, so set one chair per player in every spot they'll play. If they play the ceremony in one room and cocktail hour in another, that means chairs in both.
- Shade outdoors. A tent or a big leafy tree. It's in our contract.
- A rain plan. Anything more than a drizzle and the instruments are put away, so outdoor ceremonies need a covered or indoor backup.
- Time to set up. The players arrive about 30 minutes before the music starts to set up and tune.
- Sound, only for big spaces. Most rooms need nothing. For a long hall or large outdoor area, see microphone options.
Two spots, one move
Lots of venues split the day between spaces, and the players handle it well when there is just one move. A few real examples:
- The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee. The Imperial Ballroom on the 7th floor, and King's Row for cocktail hour. The hotel provides the chairs, and the elevator works fine for the instruments.
- The Gage. Ceremony downstairs, cocktail hour upstairs, so chairs are needed on both floors.
- A private home in River Hills. Ceremony on the lawn and cocktail hour on the patio, with chairs in both places.
If your coordinator or planner has questions about the setup, they can reach us directly.
Each move takes the players a few minutes to settle and retune, so we avoid a second move right before your processional. More on that on the cocktail hour page.
What you don't need to arrange
No meals or snacks for the musicians. Usually no final call, either: your timeline and songs are already in your BookLive client portal, though we're happy to talk if you'd like one. And no dress code talk: the musicians dress formally, in suits and ties for the men and black dresses for the women.
What couples noticed on the day
★★★★★“On the day of the wedding, we had 3 professional musicians perform for us and they showed up on time to set-up! We provided them with a playlist via their portal which they followed to a tee.”
★★★★★“Everyone RAVED about how good the quartet was!!! They did an amazing job!! Thank you!”
Venue questions
How many chairs do you need?
One per player in each spot: four for a quartet, three for a trio, two for a duo.
Do the musicians need a meal?
No. Meals aren't required.
How early do you arrive?
About 30 minutes before the music starts, to set up and tune.
Can you play in two different rooms?
Yes. We keep it to one move, and the venue sets chairs in both spots.