Booking live string music raises plenty of questions. Whether you’re planning a wedding ceremony, drinks reception, or corporate event, you deserve clear answers. Below, discover our most frequently asked questions—complete with the details that make hiring The Bridgewater String Quartet smooth and stress‑free.

Can we book for under two hours?

Absolutely. Our shortest booking is one hour, ideal for ceremony-only performances or brief reception sets. Shorter slots let you enjoy live music without committing to a longer appearance.

How far in advance should we book?

Popular dates fill quickly; our calendar often stretches three years ahead. To secure your preferred day, reach out early—especially for summer Saturdays and holiday weekends.

What happens if someone falls ill?

Our quartet operates with a very small, trusted pool of artists. If a member cannot attend, their regular deputy—of exactly the same calibre—steps in. This system ensures your music goes on uninterrupted.

Venue Requirements – Outdoor Performances

We love playing al fresco but our instruments (worth over £100,000 together) need shelter from sun and rain. If your venue lacks built‑in cover, please arrange for a marquee, canopy, or large umbrella. Temperatures must stay above 17 °C for the best sound and instrument care.

Space & Setup

A flat area of roughly 3×2 m plus four armless chairs gives us room to perform. We normally arrange in a semicircle but can line up if space is tight. Stands and equipment come with us.

Break Scheduling

Our fee covers total hire time, not just playing time. For two-hour bookings and longer, we take a 10‑minute break each hour, timed to fit speeches or natural pauses. Ceremony-only bookings include built‑in pauses, so music aligns perfectly with proceedings.

Will we need to supply refreshments?

For engagements of four hours or more, please provide light snacks and drinks—sandwiches, fruit, coffee or tea—to keep our energy up and ensure top performance.

Can you learn extra or bespoke pieces?

Whenever possible, we source existing sheet music at no charge; typical arrangement costs range £10–£20 if a free version isn’t available. Custom arrangements cost £45. Trio conversions and hymn performances (just send a hymn‑book photo) are also welcome.

Do you attend rehearsals?

Our extensive experience means we rarely need on‑site rehearsals before the big day. We confirm processional preferences in advance and liaise discreetly with your registrar or celebrant on arrival.

For more on typical wedding music elements—preludes, processionals, and recessional pieces—see this overview on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_music

Ready to book or have more questions? Get in touch, and let The Bridgewater String Quartet bring beautiful, reliable live music to your event.