Booking a string group is not something our clients do every day so hopefully you will understand more about how we work by reading all the information below!
We are experts in helping our clients navigate their musical wedding planning journey. No question is too small or too silly.
If you have any more questions please do get in touch.
Logistics
How far do you travel?
If we are given enough notice we can usually get just about anywhere, although we mainly cover the Midlands, East Anglia, Southern England and London. We do charge minimal travel expenses when driving more than 15 miles at 45p per mile. These charges are in addition to our booking fees.
We are occasionally booked to play overseas . Flights and Hotel charges are the client’s responsibility and are in addition to our booking fees. (T’s & C’s apply)
How much do you charge?
We prefer to send you our fees in writing, as we offer the services of 3 different groups, however, just to give you an example of our prices, they start from *£500 for a Duo, £600 for a Trio and £700 for a Quartet dependent on how long you need us to play (T’s & C’s apply)
What is the difference between a string quartet, a string trio and a string duo?
Our string quartet is made up of 2 violins, viola and ‘cello
Our string trio is violin, viola and ‘cello
Our string duo is violin and viola
I have no idea how long I need to book you for!
We make this simple! We play for whichever part of your day you would like us to play for. E.g. if you would like us to play for your ceremony and drinks reception, that is what we will play for (T’s & C’s apply) We will play for however long each part of your day takes!
How do I book?
- Email Cheryl and let her know you would like to secure your date.
- She will gather some details from you in order to write out a contract.
- She will then Email it to you to print, sign and return to us with £100 booking fee (balance due 8 weeks before your wedding or event)
- BACS is our preferred method of payment – all the details you need will be on the contract
- We are fully flexible if anything needs to change (the venue, the timings)
- We are available by email 24/7 to answer any questions you might have, or help in any way we can
Do you hold Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, we are fully covered so you have nothing to worry about!
- Public Liability Insurance £10,000,000
- Products Liability Insurance £10,000,000
- Employer’s Liability Insurance £10,000,000
Planning process
Could we meet you before our wedding day? Other groups have said no.
Yes of course. We love meeting our couples – it is really important to us. As part of the service we offer, you are eligible for a free music consultation meeting with your own specialist wedding music consultant. This can take place at your home or at your venue. However, if you prefer, you can chat with us over the phone or via skype, email or text. We are happy with whatever you want to do.
Do you play at wedding fairs?
We play at quite a few wedding fairs/open days throughout the year, although we do limit these to fairs and open days that take place at the venues where we are the recommended string group. We do not often perform at Commercial Wedding Fairs. You are always welcome to pop along and say hi and have a listen each time we take part in one! Please feel free to join us on our social networking pages to keep up to date with where we are playing. Do keep an eye on our active social media accounts: Instagram and join us on Facebook or Twitter
Our wedding day is 2 years away. How do we keep in touch with you in the meantime?
As an Ariella couple we like to make sure you have support from the moment you confirm your booking with us. Once you secure your date, you will have access to our private Ariella FB group . This Group is for couples, past and present, to ask questions and keep in touch. (You are also welcome to call or email us, if Social Media is not for you)
We have no idea of what music we want – can you help?
Yes, of course we can help. Our couples can all have a face to face meeting 8 weeks before their wedding day. (T’s & C’s apply) However, you can get ideas from the FB group and we are happy to chat and give you suggestions as any point during your planning!
I don’t see our special piece of music on your list, can you play it?
If you have a favourite song or piece of music that you don’t see on our lists already, please do let us know – we will try to source it for you. We also offer a professional music arrangement service if we cannot source your favourite song.
- Sourced Music £10 per piece/song plus the cost of the sheet music (T’s & C’s apply)
- Specialist music arrangement service £50 (T’s & C’s apply)
We are having a Civil Ceremony. We have been told we cannot have any music that may have religious meaning! Why?
It’s a religious “thing”!! Since 1837 it has been a fundamental principle of law that civil marriage should be distinct from religious marriage. The 1949 Marriage Act, still in force, says that civil wedding ceremonies should not include any “religious service”.’ If you want any piece of music that may be construed as having “religious connotations” PLEASE ask your local registry office for guidance!
On the day
What time do you arrive to set up?
We always arrive at least an hour before we are booked to start playing. This is to allow time to set up and liaise with the venue and make sure everything is in place before our booking begins. We never leave anything to chance. Our actual set up time is approximately 15 minutes!
Will you take a break during our booking?
Yes. Playing a stringed instrument is quite physically demanding so our musicians will need to take a comfort break during your booking. Our break is always taken at a time convenient to you. For bookings of 3 hours or less we take approximately 10 minutes in every hour of playing. For bookings over 3 hours we work in 45 minute sets.
What do you wear?
We wear smart black dresses/trousers or DJs/Tuxedos, depending on your preference. We can also wear smart casual if you would prefer. We are happy to liaise with you regarding dress – nothing is ever set in stone!
What happens if one of your members is ill on the day of the booking and can’t make it?
If one of our members is unable to play at your wedding or event due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, we call on another professional player who is known to us and knows our repertoire. The highest quality standard of the group would be maintained and your event would not be affected.
Can you play outside?
Yes, no problem at all. We are happy to follow you and your guests outside if you wish us to. All we need is shade from direct sunshine as this can damage our instruments. For weddings and events during the winter months (and sometimes March, September, October and November dependent on conditions) it can be too cold for us to play outside.
As a general rule we can only play outside if the temperature is 16 degrees celsius or over – we are static as we play and can get cold quickly. The decision whether to perform outside will be made by their musicians at the time of performance and you agree that their decision will be final. Performances may be moved indoors due to weather conditions. We do not supply cover of any kind.
Will the musicians require refreshments?
We don’t require feeding on the day – we think that couples have enough to think about without having to organize food for us! We bring an Ariella Picnic to have at some point. However, we would be very grateful for access to fresh water.
What do we need to provide for you?
We need armless chairs, shade from the direct sunshine and a room (or somewhere secure) in which to put our belongings and cases.
Church wedding ceremonies
Can you play for our church hymns?
Yes, playing for hymns is all part of the service we offer! We will even arrange hymns at no extra charge if we do not have a particular hymn that you have chosen.
Can you provide a singer?
Yes, we now have added a soprano to our list of services. You can book her along with any of our groups. Great to help lead your hymns. Contact us for prices.
Can you play along with the organ at the church?
This is not recommended. Sometimes the tuning of an organ is quite out of tune with our stringed instruments – we do not take the chance!
I want to sing a special song for my loved one at our wedding, can you accompany me?
We are more than happy to do this. We will “rehearse” with you via skype/FaceTime in the run up to your big day and then we will arrive in good time on your wedding day to have a little rehearsal.
Can you accompany a choir?
Yes, we can play along with the Church Choir or any other Choir you may have booked. We will liaise with the Choir directly, so you don’t have to worry.
Can you come to our church wedding ceremony rehearsal?
Yes, of course that’s not a problem at all. Just let us know when it will be and we can organise one of our members to join you. The cost for this service depends on the distance we need to travel and the length of time you would like us to be there.
Once we have all the details, Cheryl will invoice you. This is a service not many groups offer but we think it is extremely important.
We would like you to play at our drinks reception after. Is this okay?
Yes, this is absolutely fine – we are experts in dashing off after a church ceremony and haven’t been beaten to the reception venue yet. Remember that you and your guests spend a little time mingling outside the Church which gives us time to slip away.
To help us out, it is a good idea to ask the venue to make sure we have arm-less chairs placed where you would like us to play – this saves time when we set up. Travel between venues is part of our overall booked time.
Keepsakes
We would love to have a reminder of your playing, can we video your musicians?
Of course, you are very welcome to have video and sound recordings of our musicians. We just ask that you not use any recordings commercially and that before adding any video footage to social media, you run it by us first.
Framed music
A sheet of your chosen song personalized with your names and wedding date and beautifully presented in a choice of frames (Silver, gold or white). (POA) Great for Wedding Anniversaries or for a beautiful reminder of your wedding music.
