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In the EXACT same situation...im curious as to what the bees will say...im still trying to decide as well.
I voted for "yes", but I take it back, because I voted before reading your post. Based on your budget and the fact that you already have a great alternative option, I'd say skip the string group. Why don't you ask your FI's BIL to learn the songs you are hoping the string group to play. Classical guitar can be great.
We paid $300 for a string duet, and that included travel fees and 75 mins of playing time. It was a girl that had just started her own company, so she was relatively inexpensive, and I found her on CL.
Our budget was about $25K, so for us, $300 was totally doable and it was an easy decision!
We had a violin duet group and I loved it - it was the best of both worlds - the ceremony musicians and less cost (by about 1/2) that the string quartet. I would ask the group if they do duets - a lot of groups are very versatile (soloists, duets, trios and quartets etc).
I love strings, but I also love acoustic guitar! So I can sympathize with the tough choice. But, if you can have acoustic guitar that you will be happy with for free, I'd say to go with it! It will be free, awesome, and a little more unique! A friend had his friend play acoustic guitar during his ceremony, and I thought it was wonderful!
I think we could get a duet for $275. Still too much? And is it worth the trouble to only have two musicians? Would it sound too thin?
I vote yes, because I love it! Is it possible for the same amount of money they could also play for a bit at the beg of reception?
I was really worried about having only 2 strings but I ended up really loving it! I would highly recommend it if you want strings at your wedding. It helps that violins can play more than one note at a time.
I voted no - but just because I am having nothing but last minute problems with my pianist who is paid in full and refuses to play the music provided to him three weeks ago. If I had to do it over I would have saved that expense, put the money in other areas, and used a family friend or the PA system.
That said, can I offer some advice? If you decide to go through with it ask them if you can get it in writing the songs they agree to play. . . . just my 2 cents :).
I'd have to say as a string musician myself, that I understand why they're asking for so much... you have to think about a few things with strings:
-To be able to play professionally takes YEARS of training. I played the violin for 10 years, and didn't reach profesh-level until about year 7 or 8. So that's pretty much the same amount of training doctors and lawyers must have before THEY can practice professionally.
-$400 for a string quartet means $100 per person, and that includes travel, warm-up time, and hauling instruments that are VERY sensitive to heat, cold, light, wind, etc.
But I definitely agree with some of the posters that "less is more" with strings! Instead of 2 violins, a viola, and a cello... you can get pretty much the same effect with one violin and a cello. Viola is a beautiful instrument, but violin and cello combined can reach EVERY note a viola plays. And yes, strings instruments can play more than one note at a time.
Hope that helps!! :)
p.s. I'm having a violin and acoustic guitar duet at my September wedding... can't wait!
@MissHay: Oh I wasn't questioning whether they were overcharging - in fact I think their rate is very reasonable. I was just having a hard time justifying the expense based on our wedding and budget.
@EvaBostonTerrier: Thanks for the input I wasn't sure how it would sound.
Of course I did just stumble upon this, and I freaking teared up already (if I don't cry at my wedding it'll be a miracle) - it might be swaying me back to our guitarist (he's a professional musician so I'm sure it would be good).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY4x2lASQxQ&annotation_id=annotation_367662&feature=iv
Then again if I could get a whole band THIS would somehow be worked into my wedding - haha!
Oh, and maybe ask for a reduced rate because you're having a short ceremony. I've known plenty of musicians who were open to doing that in order to book a job! :)
We had a string trio play for our ceremony and cocktail hour (2 hours total) for $450. Your price of $400 for 30 minutes is a bit outrageous IMO. Have you shopped around?
We were going to do a quartet as well...it was also $400 for an hour. Ended up hiring our DJ for another $225/hr for guests walking in and then a family friend is playing guitar when we walk down the aisle (for free!). So if you can get a duet for $275 I think it might be worth it...would your other option be a DJ? What would their hourly rate be?
Thanks ladies! I think even though I love them - I'll stick with our guitarist.
@MissHay: I hadn't thought about the instruments sensitively to the weather. We're having an outdoor ceremony - I'm worried that if it rains that they'll have to wait around for it to clear - which will cost more. Or we'll have to scrap the idea if we are moved indoors for the ceremony (because it'll be a bit more crowded).
Yeah, the weather thing with the instruments can be a huge issue. I'm a harpist and I play weddings and I had one close call with rain the past summer. Wind at a waterside wedding knocked my music stand into my celtic harp once, and I've certainly stressed out when horrible humidity starts to make the harp go out of tune mid-song.
While I agree their rates are reasonable (for the full sized harp I charge $200 an hour, 1 hr minimum), especially since it's for multiple musicians, I can see where it becomes a questionable budget item when you're trying to keep things very low budget.
I think you made a good call sticking with just the guitarist. Although I LOVE the kazoo idea.
I shopped around and found a duo for $250 for ceremony only- violin and cello. I hope it doesn't sound too thin. Should I spring for the trio for $350? Anyone have experience with duo vs trio?
If your heart is really set on it, I would go with it. I have a couple things I am struggling with as well. I have been to more than one wedding where the electricity went out, sound sytem malfuntioned, etc. so the brides walked up the aisle in silence. It is a huge issue with me to make sure I have music that can funtion regardless!
For the professional musicians in this thread - I would like to have a string quartet as well. I can hire senior music students for $100/hour. However, my ceremony is outside. How warm does it have to be for the musicians to be outside?
We paid quite a lot (much more than $400) for our violinist, but it ended up being so worth it! People raved about him and I will always remember it. I think it does give your ceremony that extra formal/traditional touch.
Our string quartet was $850 for two hours and they were the least expensive among the ones we contacted, so I'd say you're getting a great deal.
It's hard to say in your case since it's 15% of your budget and that's a lot...For me walking down the aisle to the music of Bach filling the botanical garden was amazing, it completed my vision. However I don't think our guests really cared that much, not many people have commented on them except that it was "nice". So it depends on how important it is to you.
@meliss: From the viewpoint of the prefessional musician, our quartet fee was $650 for the first hour and $240 an hour after that. Remember that the "hour" does not start at the appointed time of the ceremony - playing starts anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes prior to the ceremony for the seating of the guests. By the time the actual ceremony ends and the recessional is played it will be at least an hour of the musicians' time. Then there is travel, setup and breakdown. We did perform as trio and violin and cello duo too. Also, beware that you get what you pay for. Students will be just that. Pros will make for a VERY smooth event.
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I just stumbled upon a local string group that I'd really like to book. But I'm having a hard time justifying $400 for less than 30 minutes of music (15-20 mins pre-ceremony and music during the short ceremony).
We do not have a huge budget ($6000) but if I wanted to hire them I could, money isn't so much the issue as I don't know if it's really necessary. Would I like to have them? Yes because I love strings at weddings. But we were planning on having acoustic guitar by my FI's BIL so it's not like we'd be music-less, I'm sure it would still be nice.
Thoughts?