Weddings
Live strings have a way of turning a wedding ceremony into something guests remember years later. For over 27 years, Animata String Quartet has provided the music for weddings across Melbourne, from intimate church ceremonies to grand vineyard celebrations, bringing the same care and attention to every one.
Quartet or trio?
We perform as a full string quartet or as a trio (the same ensemble, minus the viola part). For outdoor ceremonies, or any indoor ceremony with more than around 70 guests, we recommend the full quartet, the fuller sound carries much further and covers the space properly, especially without walls to help project the sound. For smaller, indoor ceremonies, a trio is a beautiful and more cost-effective option. If you're not sure which suits your day, tell us your guest count and venue and we'll advise honestly, not just recommend the more expensive option.
Your ceremony, your music
Our repertoire spans over 600 songs, including our Bridgerton-style orchestral arrangements of pop songs, currently one of our most requested styles. Most couples choose a handful of key moments (the entrance, the signing of the register, the exit) and trust us with the rest, drawing on decades of experience reading a room. If there's a song that matters to you and it isn't already in our library, we're happy to source or arrange the sheet music at no extra charge, provided we have enough notice, one week for existing repertoire, one month for a new arrangement.
How we structure the day
A typical ceremony booking includes 20 to 30 minutes of music as guests arrive, the processional, the signing of the register, and the recessional. Many couples extend this into the drinks and canapés hour that follows, so the music carries seamlessly from the ceremony into the celebration that follows. We'll talk you through timing options once we know a bit more about your day.
Booking and next steps
Every event is priced individually, based on your date, location, ensemble size and timing, so we don't publish a fixed rate. Get in touch with your date, venue and rough timing, and we'll confirm availability and send you a tailored quote. Once you're ready to proceed, booking is simple:
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Complete our short booking form
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Pay a $250 deposit to secure your date, this is required to confirm the booking and is non-refundable except if we're unable to perform on your date
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We'll send an invoice covering the deposit and the remaining balance, due 7 days before your wedding if paying by direct deposit, or 30 days before if paying by cheque
Full terms, including our cancellation policy, are included with the booking form.
What we need from your venue
Just four armless chairs and a level space of around 3 x 2 metres, with adequate lighting. For outdoor ceremonies, we also need shelter from the elements, both for our instruments and for the quality of the performance, this applies even when rain isn't forecast, Melbourne weather can turn quickly.
If you're planning a wedding in Melbourne and would like to check availability, get in touch, we'd love to be part of your day.