When Do You Hire a String Quartet for a Wedding? Full Timeline Explained
Planning your wedding music doesn’t have to be overwhelming — especially when you know exactly where a string quartet fits into your big day.
At Diamond Strings, we’re asked all the time:
“Do you play the whole wedding? Just the ceremony? What about cocktail hour?”
In this guide, we’ll walk you through when to hire a string quartet, what we typically perform during each part of a wedding, and how far in advance to book.
How Early Should You Book a String Quartet?
To get your first choice of musicians and have time to personalize your playlist, we recommend booking 6–12 months in advance.
For peak seasons in Memphis (spring and fall), dates book up even faster — especially for popular venues like:
The Cadre Building
The Peabody Hotel
The Robinshaw
The Botanic Gardens
If your wedding is within 3 months, don’t worry — reach out! We may still be available.
Where a String Quartet Fits in a Wedding Day
Here’s a breakdown of each moment we can elevate with live music:
Pre-Ceremony (Guest Arrival)
Music style: Light classical or instrumental pop
Why it matters: Creates a calming, elegant atmosphere as guests arrive and are seated
Duration: 20–30 minutes
Popular choice: Bridgerton-style instrumentals or a custom “first-look” song
Ceremony
Processional: Wedding party, groom, and bridal entrance
Special Moments: Candle lighting, unity ceremony, readings
Recessional: Celebratory exit song as couple walks out
Examples: “Canon in D” → “A Thousand Years” → “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
You can customize all of this — even request specific pop covers or cinematic songs.
Cocktail Hour
Vibe: Fun, upbeat, stylish background music
Music style: Pop covers, indie, classic love songs
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Think Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Beyoncé — all on strings.
This is where Diamond Strings really shines — we surprise your guests with songs they recognize, played in a totally unexpected way.
Reception (Optional Add-On)
While we don’t replace a DJ or band for dancing, many couples book us for:
First dances
Dinner music
Reception intros
Send-off music
Planning Tip: What to Do Next
If you’re still early in the planning process:
If you’re ready to lock us in:
Send us an email and check availability
We’ll help you plan every note!
📍 Serving Memphis and the Mid-South.
Diamond Strings brings timeless music to modern weddings.
