A String Quartet is made up of 4 string instruments: 2 violins, 1 viola & 1 cello. It has rich harmonies and a beautiful effect.

A String Trio is 3 instruments: 2 violins & 1 cello; or violin, viola, and cello. This is a good option if there is restricted space. Please note most of our String Quartet songs can also be performed by String Trio.

A String Duo is usually 1 violin & 1 cello. Our violinist performs the melody and cellist accompanies.

All 3 of the above options are popular for weddings, parties and corporate events.

Yes, we have classical, jazz and pop audio samples on our LOOK & LISTEN page.

You can find lots of Stringspace videos on our YouTube channel StringspaceLive! Most of our YouTube songs are now available for streaming on Spotify & Apple Music, and to purchase on iTunes.

Our string musicians arrive approx. 20 minutes early, aiming to be set and ready 10 minutes before the start of your event. They then start performing at the start of your booking time.

Our jazz band musicians aim to be set and ready to soundcheck approx 30 minutes prior to the start of your event. They then start performing at the start of your booking time.

String quartet amplification is suggested for events with over 130 guests, though not essential.

If using amplification, we recommend placing two microphones on stands in front of the string quartet, OR for an extra clear, beautiful, amplified sound we recommend clip-on DPA microphones.

If you are holding a large-scale event, you may also want to consider adding extra string players for added volume and effect, e.g. 6-12 players (instead of 2-4).

Amplification is not usually required or needed for string church bookings.

Jazz & Pop Band Amplification:

• Amplification is usually recommended for events that have over 130 guests. Double bass and guitar will almost always need some amplification.
• Band musicians can provide their own jazz/pop band amplification for events with up to 250 guests.
• Please note all venues must have access to electrical outlets.
• Singers will require professional AV.
• Singer & guitar duo: Some of our singers can bring a small PA set up for singer & guitar duo bookings. Extra fees will apply if this is an option.
• If you add a singer to your band/strings, the singer and the whole band will then require professional AV.

PA System:

• Most venues will have a PA system for dealing with sound requirements. They’ll also usually have an on-site AV person to operate the desk, mix sound, & control the volume levels throughout your event.

Stringspace girls wear stylish black; Guys wear black suit pants with a white shirt. Black jackets are optional.

Meals are appreciated for events 3+ hours for strings, and refreshments are appreciated for bookings over 1.5 hours.

Jazz band musicians arrive earlier (to set up), so they appreciate a lunch/dinner meal for bookings that are over 2.5 hours.

Yes, shade/shelter from direct sunlight and even very light rain is required. This may mean finding a location with shade, e.g. shade from trees, a veranda close to the ceremony or a gazebo. Please email a photo to Stringspace of your suggested outdoor location.

A large secure market umbrella is also a popular option for shade. Please make sure your market umbrella has a sturdy base.

This is usually fine. Please contact Lucie on 0412 582 437 by midday on the day (or at least 3 hours before your event).

Please note the booking time will need to remain the same, and the venue needs to be within the same general location.

Yes, this is usually fine.

Please note that extra charges usually apply for special requests that are not already listed on our LOOK & LISTEN page.

We highly recommend 1.25 – 1.5 hours for wedding bookings. However, 1 hour can potentially also be fine if you’re expecting a fast ceremony and know you’ll be starting on time.

Overtime for wedding ceremonies:

Overtime is calculated at:

• $25 + GST per musician for 10 mins + 1 x admin fee of $100 + GST.
• $50 + GST per musician for 15 mins + 1 x admin fee of $100 + GST.
• $75 + GST per musician for 20 mins + 1 x admin fee of $100 + GST.
• $100 + GST per musician for 30 mins + 1 x admin fee of $100 + GST.

There is no charge if your overtime is for 5 minutes only.

• Please include credit card details on your Booking Confirmation Form for all wedding bookings. Our credit card surcharge is 1.5%.

There is no guarantee that our musicians will be available for unexpected overtime. We always recommend booking for the maximum amount of time that you may require.

If social distancing or industry shutdown policies mandated by State or Federal Governments mean that your event can no longer go ahead, we will happily postpone your booking for up to 18 months.

In all other circumstances, our usual cancellation policy applies (see below).

Please get in contact ASAP if there are any other unforeseen coronavirus concerns regarding your booking.

Yes, you can definitely have two songs for the Processional, but we usually recommend one. We can play one song so that it builds for longer rather than two shorter ones.

IMPORTANT: With two songs, you must wait until the last bridesmaid is in place at the top of the aisle, and then wait again for approx.  4 – 8 seconds as we change over our sheet music and count in the speed for the 2nd song before walking – otherwise, the music will be changed over whilst you’re walking, which could mean there might be a moment when you are walking down the aisle in complete silence with no music.  We really want to try and avoid this from happening!

So, it can definitely be done, but it is more seamless with just one song building. For the bride’s entrance, when choosing 2 processional songs,  it’s best if you wait for the music for the 2nd song to start before walking.

If you decide to choose two songs for the Processional, it’s also a great idea to organise one of your friends to stand next to us to let us know when the final bridesmaid has reached the front. It can sometimes be difficult to see & count the bridesmaids, particularly if guests are standing.

Processional:

Step 1: Please ask your celebrant (or wedding coordinator) to let our musicians know as soon as the bridal cars have arrived at the church/location (so possibly 5 – 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony).

Step 2:  Another cue to our musicians is required when the bridal party is approx. 2 – 3 minutes from entering.

Step 3: A final official cue to our strings for the start of the Processional is then required. This is usually given by the celebrant.

Signing: After signing the register, the celebrant will need to speak for approx. 1-2 mins as the musicians turn pages to the Recessional song.

Recessional: The celebrant must let the string quartet know their cue for the ceremony’s end. e.g. “I’d now like to introduce you to …..”

Confirming the celebrant can let the string quartet know their recessional cue on the day. They do not need to contact us beforehand.

Confirming the ceremony time is not counted as an official break. There is no break for bookings which are for 1.5 hours (or less).

No, sorry, this is no longer a possible option with Stringspace.

Our only option for weddings is for your friend/relative to sing Ave Maria. Please note this needs to be organised in advance.

Ave Maria (either by Bach/Gounod or Schubert) is a popular option for a classical song and is one of the easier songs to put together with strings, so this will need less rehearsal time.

We recommend booking for a minimum of 1.5 hours so that your friend can have a short rehearsal with the musicians at the start of your booking. E.g., For a 3 PM wedding, we recommend booking from 2:30 PM (or 2:15 PM) so that your friend can have a short 5-10 minute run-through before the ceremony and before most of your guests arrive.

Please note all rehearsal time (usually 5-15 mins) with singers is to be paid for at the usual performance rates.

Music is usually performed as your guests arrive and are waiting. It is a good idea to allow some time for this.

E.g., for a 3 PM wedding:

1-hour booking: 2:50 – 3:50 PM

1.25-hour bookings: 2:45 – 4 PM

1.5-hour bookings: 2:30 – 4 PM; 2:40 – 4:10 PM or 2:45 – 4:15 PM

From experience, 1.5 hours is a perfect amount of time to book for a wedding. However, 1 hour and 1.25 hours can potentially be fine too.

WEDDING TIME VARIABLES TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING HOW LONG TO BOOK:

• Pre-ceremony music: Usually, 10 – 30 minutes of planned music is perfect for pre-ceremony music. This is music to be performed as your guests arrive and are waiting.
• Bride arrival time: You can potentially book for 1 hour, however, everything will need to be very punctual, with definitely just 10 – 15 minutes of planned pre-ceremony music. A booking time of 1.25 – 1.5 hours can give you a little more time. 1.5 hours is our most popular option.
• Processional timing:  2 – 5 minutes
• Readings: These are usually 3 – 5 minutes each, so about 6 – 10 minutes in total.
• Homily: How long does the celebrant/priest give for their personal speech (homily)? This can range from 5 – 25 minutes.
• Vows: approx. 5 – 7 minutes.
• Signing of the Register: Usually we perform two songs during this time, so approx. 8 minutes for this section.
• Candle-lighting: If you include any extra readings, candle-lighting ceremonies, music or cultural rituals in your ceremony.
• Other general movements and speaking during the ceremony can range from 5 – 20 minutes. This is usually dependent on your celebrant/priest.
• Full Catholic ceremonies: that include Offertory & Communion should always be a minimum of 1.5 hours.
• Recessional (as you walk back down the aisle): approx. 2 – 5 minutes.

Yes. Many of the audio clips on the LOOK & LISTEN page are only short samples. The pieces we play on the day are the full songs.

We don’t usually meet up before the event as we find that most details can be organised by email or phone and do not require consultations.

Please call or email Lucie with any questions that you may have along the way.

Absolutely! If you are interested in viewing Stringspace live before your event, please send an email for the date and venue performance details.

Also, you can always check out our YouTube channel StringspaceLive for videos.

As we perform at weddings so often, and as weddings usually follow a clear format, we usually don’t attend ceremony rehearsals.

To have musicians attend your rehearsal, the prices are the same as for all bookings with Stringspace, so it’s quite an expensive option.

Yes, we usually speak to the celebrant/priest before the ceremonies start to discuss cues. Please also give celebrants our “Stringspace Celebrant Tips” (listed above) before the day.

Yes, please have someone organised to give the musicians their cues for the Processional (see Stringspace Celebrant Tips above).

Priests usually signal for your guests to stand for church weddings and give us the official Processional cue/nod to start. Leading up to this they will also usually let our musicians know once the bridal party cars have arrived, so we know the ceremony is close to starting.

The music will subtly fade out and cadence once you reach the altar.

Confirming we do not provide complimentary recordings. Most of our songs are now available to stream on Spotify and YouTube and to purchase on iTunes.

We will absolutely ensure that the music will keep playing until you reach the altar; this may mean adding a seamless repeat to make the ending sound natural.

We suggest the following:

Offertory:

• Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Bach – Air
• Bach – Arioso
• Delibes – Flower Duet
• Handel – Air
• Amazing Grace

Communion (1-2 songs):

• Bach – Arioso
• Bach/ Gounod – Ave Maria
• Bach – Air
• Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Handel – Andante con Moto
• Handel – Largo
• Handel – Passacaile
• Franck – Panis Angelicus
• Schubert – Ave Maria
• Amazing Grace
• All Creatures of Our God & King

Stringspace recommends definitely booking for a minimum of 1.5 hours for a full Catholic ceremony.

Stringspace

Westpac – Neutral Bay

BSB: 032 197 ACC: 283 767

Reference: Your Name

(If paying by direct deposit, please nominate your name as the payment reference in the comment field and notify Stringspace by email). The confirmation deposit is $330. Final payment is due 30 days before your event.

• A 1.5% surcharge applies to all VISA, Mastercard & AMEX credit card payments.
• If you prefer to make your payment via credit card over the phone, please call Stringspace on 0412 582 437.

ABN: 174 75 3425 05
ABR: 980 51 430

Yes, we do. Stringspace is covered for Public Liability by Marsh Australia for up to $20,000,000.

The liability of Stringspace for any damages arising out of any booking, and/or any performance, is limited to the total amount of any fee which would otherwise be payable for such a booking or performance.

Full payment – minus a $330 cancellation fee and any c/c charges – is refundable up to 30 days before any event.
If a cancellation occurs after this time, 50% of the total hire charge will be payable.

Cancellations within 48 hours of your event are non-refundable.