There are plenty of modern songs that can be played by string quartets, and they sound phenomenal. (Seriously, YouTube just about any modern song, and someone’s probably played an instrumental version of it.)
So, your string quartet will more than likely be able to play just about anything you want at your wedding. From Ed Sheeran and Elvis Presley to Bach and Beethoven.
That said, some songs just don’t sound as good coming from a string quartet. And on the flip side of that, some songs just don’t sound as good coming from a wedding DJ.
Decide what kind of music you want to primarily play during your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception. If you’re leaning more towards hip hop and rap, heavy rock songs (with lots of drums), or EDM, then you’re probably going to want to choose a wedding DJ for your entertainment option.
But if you’re hoping to play more classic, timeless pieces that help create a romantic, ethereal mood for your wedding day, then a string quartet can definitely help you achieve that. And it doesn’t have to be just classical music, either! In fact, you can read our post where we rounded up our favorite modern songs for string quartets here!
Ultimately, a wedding DJ and a wedding string quartet both have their own strengths when it comes to entertainment for your wedding.
We definitely say, if you can, go with both options. You won’t regret it! Your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour with a string quartet will sound so gorgeous, and it will complement all of the details you put into planning for your dream wedding vision.
And wedding DJ entertainment is a stellar option for your reception to reach all of your guests and get them up on the dance floor.
But if you can’t swing both, we understand! Just consider your wedding size and the experience you want to have when it comes to choosing between a wedding string quartet and a wedding DJ.
And if you’re ready to book a string quartet, we can help you there!
Click here to get a quote for your wedding day!
We’re not too proud to say this, even though we hate it. But choosing your wedding day entertainment, like a live band, a string quartet, or a wedding DJ tends to be the underdog when it comes to wedding planning.
You’re so busy choosing the wedding venue, the menu for your reception, the colors, and every other detail to make your wedding vision come true. That means a few things are going to fall down towards the bottom of the list.
And one of those things? It tends to be the music decisions.
So, whether you’re getting a headstart on your wedding entertainment planning, or it’s one of the last things you need to check off your to-do list, we’re talking about your options in our post here.
The big question: should you hire a wedding string quartet for your wedding? Or should you go with a wedding DJ as the entertainment for your big day? And here’s a bigger question – should you go with both?
We’re breaking it down for you so you can make the most out of your big day!
Should you hire a wedding string quartet?
Wedding string quartets make a great addition to your wedding day! They add a level of elegance and sophistication to your entire wedding mood that is often missed with no wedding entertainment or even just wedding DJ entertainment. Let’s be honest, Canon in D just doesn’t hit the same when it’s played from a computer.
Plus, wedding string quartets don’t take up a whole lot of space. They don’t need amplification or speakers or even power. The instruments provide subtle volume naturally, so they don’t overpower your entire ceremony. Instead, they add the perfect addition to your wedding. And without the need for any electronics, string quartets are excellent options for outdoor locations.
String wedding music is best played during the prelude (the 30 minutes leading up to your ceremony), the ceremony itself, and the cocktail hour. The music is soft and elegant, instead of overwhelming. Plus, your wedding string quartet won’t need to worry about taking down and setting up a bunch of equipment in multiple locations like your ceremony site, your cocktail hour site, and your reception site. (And all of that taking down and re-setting up might come with extra charges.)
Should you hire a wedding DJ?
Wedding DJ entertainment is a great option for just about everything after dinner. When the reception hits full swing, you’re more than likely going to want some awesome party music that will get people dancing. And you’ll need it to be loud.
A wedding DJ is perfect for that part of your wedding day. A string quartet just won’t get that kind of volume you’re looking for. And songs that are heavy on lyrics and rapping or strong, electronic beats won’t give off the same vibe you’re looking for when played only with string instruments.
How to choose between a wedding string quartet and a wedding DJ?
We do suggest going with both, if you can swing it. A wedding string quartet and a wedding DJ both have their strengths throughout the wedding day. And luckily, there’s a pretty clear dividing line between those strengths.
The wedding string quartet is best during the first part of your day, while a wedding DJ is best during the last part of your day.
But if you’re stuck needing to choose between one or the other, here’s what you should consider:
Consider the size of your wedding
String quartets are absolutely the perfect option for intimate weddings. Whether you’re planning a backyard wedding (wanna read our tips on that one? Click here!), or you’re just planning on having a few guests, a string quartet will be perfect. The music won’t overpower any conversations and will add elegance and romance to your day.
For intimate and smaller weddings, you can get by with a homemade setup for your reception to play the party music. You won’t need to reach as many ears, so a decent speaker and a laptop with a killer Spotify wedding playlist will do the trick.
But if you’re planning on a larger wedding (like 200+ guests), a wedding DJ is probably the better option. They’ll have the professional sound equipment to make sure every guest can hear everything at your wedding ceremony and reception.
Think of the music you want to have
There are plenty of modern songs that can be played by string quartets, and they sound phenomenal. (Seriously, YouTube just about any modern song, and someone’s probably played an instrumental version of it.)
So, your string quartet will more than likely be able to play just about anything you want at your wedding. From Ed Sheeran and Elvis Presley to Bach and Beethoven.
That said, some songs just don’t sound as good coming from a string quartet. And on the flip side of that, some songs just don’t sound as good coming from a wedding DJ.
Decide what kind of music you want to primarily play during your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception. If you’re leaning more towards hip hop and rap, heavy rock songs (with lots of drums), or EDM, then you’re probably going to want to choose a wedding DJ for your entertainment option.
But if you’re hoping to play more classic, timeless pieces that help create a romantic, ethereal mood for your wedding day, then a string quartet can definitely help you achieve that. And it doesn’t have to be just classical music, either! In fact, you can read our post where we rounded up our favorite modern songs for string quartets here!
Ultimately, a wedding DJ and a wedding string quartet both have their own strengths when it comes to entertainment for your wedding.
We definitely say, if you can, go with both options. You won’t regret it! Your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour with a string quartet will sound so gorgeous, and it will complement all of the details you put into planning for your dream wedding vision.
And wedding DJ entertainment is a stellar option for your reception to reach all of your guests and get them up on the dance floor.
But if you can’t swing both, we understand! Just consider your wedding size and the experience you want to have when it comes to choosing between a wedding string quartet and a wedding DJ.
And if you’re ready to book a string quartet, we can help you there!