String Ensembles for Hire in London
London’s premier string ensemble for elegant weddings, corporate events and private celebrations.
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Clients include Knight Frank, Netflix, Aston Martin, Coutts, Corinthia Hotel, Financial Times, Samsung, Adidas, Virgin Music and Warner Bros Discovery.
The Ensemble
Kara Strings is a London-based string ensemble providing professional live music for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations. Available as a string quartet, string trio, violin and cello duo, solo violinist, or our unique 6-piece string ensemble, we tailor each performance to the venue and occasion.
From elegant wedding ceremonies and corporate events to private parties, Bollywood celebrations and Bridgerton-style receptions, we create a musical experience your guests will remember long after the day is over. Every booking includes personalised music selections and arrangements, curated to reflect your taste, your story, and your style.
Founded by acclaimed violinist Arda Karakaya, Kara Strings is a hand-picked collective of exceptional classical musicians trained at the UK’s top conservatoires, including the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music. Our players regularly perform with leading orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing unparalleled artistry and polish to every performance.
Whether you’re planning a Bridgerton-inspired wedding or a corporate event that needs something special, Kara Strings brings live music your guests will genuinely talk about. We don’t just perform — we make the music feel like it truly belongs to your day.
Get in touch today — we’d love to hear about your event.
Eungyo Jenn Joo (Jenn)5 April 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kara Strings played at our company event as a string quartet and were absolutely brilliant. The music set a beautiful atmosphere and our guests couldn't stop commenting on it. Professional, polished, and genuinely lovely to work with. We're already booking them again for the summer.
Owner's reply
Thank you so much Jenn! Really glad you enjoyed our string quartet's performance. Looking forward to the summer booking! 😊 Christopher Knight30 March 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kara Strings came to our HBO Max launch event for Warner Bros. Discovery, and we were thrilled with the outcome. Sensationally skilled musicians with warmth and charm to match it. We'd gladly have you back again... indeed this was the second time. So we should make it a third, a fifth, a tenth etc. Thank you all so very much. Chris @ Warner Bros. Discovery
Owner's reply
Thank you Chris, third, fifth, tenth, we're ready! It's always a pleasure working with the Warner Bros. Discovery team. See you at the next one! Darren Clapich4 March 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked Arda and his colleagues to perform at our wedding and they were absolutely wonderful. The music was beautiful, perfectly chosen, and added such a special atmosphere to the day. Warm, professional, and genuinely talented - we couldn't recommend them more highly
Owner's reply
Hi Darren & Franz, thank you very much for your lovely review. It was a pleasure performing for your wedding. I’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to my colleagues Anna and Momoko who played with me. We’re so glad the music added to the atmosphere of your day, and we wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. Seyi Edwards24 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I totally enjoyed having Kara Strings at my event. The violinist was exceptional and I honestly wish he could have gone on for longer. Thank you so much. I highly recommend Kara Strings and will definitely be using you again in the future.
Owner's reply
Hi Seyi, thank you very much for your kind words. I’m really glad you enjoyed the performance. It was a pleasure to play at your event at The Dorchester, and I hope Kara Strings can provide live music for you again in the future! Leah Harris17 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kara Strings were the perfect accompaniment to our wedding! They played so beautifully and were fantastic to work with. They were a huge hit with all of our guests. Thank you so much!
Owner's reply
Thank you so much Leah! It was such a pleasure playing for you and Trishan. Anna and I truly enjoyed being part of your special day! Kelly23 January 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Kara Strings violin and cello duo performed at our company’s annual award dinner. Arda was so easy to deal with throughout. The musicians arrived on time and performed beautifully. They were also happy to adapt to our late set list requests. Will definitely be booking them again!!
Owner's reply
Thank you so much Kelly! Looking forward to next year’s event! :)Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
London String Ensembles for Weddings and Corporate Events
String Duo
Our violin and cello duo is the perfect choice for intimate venues and a more affordable alternative — two instruments creating a surprisingly full sound, from Bach to Bridgerton. Elegant, versatile, and one of our most popular options for wedding ceremonies.
String Trio
The ideal middle ground between duo and quartet. Our string trio fills small to medium venues beautifully with a rich, balanced sound — a sophisticated choice for wedding ceremonies and drinks receptions, offering more depth than a duo without the full quartet cost.
String Quartet
Our most requested ensemble. The London string quartet — two violins, viola and cello — delivers the complete string sound: warm, full, and deeply impressive, whether you’re walking down the aisle or hosting a black-tie corporate dinner at Claridge’s.
Bollywood Ensemble
London’s most versatile Bollywood string ensemble, specialising in Asian weddings and cultural celebrations. With over 100 custom-arranged Bollywood songs performed live — from Tum Hi Ho to Kesariya — we bring a unique blend of authenticity, energy, and elegance to every moment.
6-Piece Ensemble
When only the extraordinary will do. Our signature 6-piece string ensemble — four violins, viola and cello — delivers an orchestra-like sound with a visual impact to match. The defining choice for grand weddings and luxury events where music becomes the centrepiece.
Solo Violinist
Intimate, romantic, and quietly captivating. Our solo violinist is ideal for small ceremonies, proposals, and first dances — a single instrument that fills the room with warmth, bringing genuine emotion to your most personal moments.
Repertoire. From Pachelbel’s Canon to Billie Eilish, Vivaldi to Taylor Swift — our repertoire spans over 650 songs across classical, pop, jazz, film scores, Bridgerton, Bollywood, and world music. We’re one of the only string ensembles in London to offer the complete Bridgerton soundtrack, and every booking includes one complimentary custom arrangement.
Are you a Bridgerton fan? We play every song from the series — yes, you read that right! Every single one!
what makes us different
Why Choose Us?
Modern, Stylish, Professional
Young, vibrant and polished — we bring a contemporary flair to classical performance, both in sound and presence.
World-Class Musicians
Our musicians regularly perform with the UK’s top orchestras including the LSO, LPO, Philharmonia & RPO — on stages like Royal Albert Hall, Barbican, and Southbank Centre.
Elite Musical Training
All our players are graduates of the UK’s leading conservatoires: Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, and Guildhall School.
Exclusive Repertoire
Unique arrangements you won’t find elsewhere — plus one custom song request included for free! (if the music is available).
Fast & Friendly Communication
We know your time is valuable. Expect swift, clear responses and a friendly, human touch at every step.
Effortless Booking
No paperwork, no hassle. Book online in minutes — e-sign contracts and pay securely via bank transfer or card.
Client Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it
FAQ
How do I book you? What’s the process?
Once we’ve confirmed the ensemble, venue, date, and timings, we’ll send you our booking form. After the form has been completed, you will receive an invoice for a 25% deposit to secure the booking.
Your booking will be officially confirmed once the deposit has been received.
Payments can be made by bank transfer, credit or debit card (including American Express — a 2% transaction fee applies), or via PayPal.
The remaining balance is due 21 days before the event date. A final invoice will be sent ahead of this deadline. For bookings made within 21 days of the event, full payment is required at the time of booking.
How much does it cost to hire Kara Strings for my event?
Our prices range from £350 to £3,500+, depending on the size of the ensemble you choose — from a solo violinist to a full chamber orchestra.
Once you submit your enquiry, we’ll review the details you provide and get back to you with a personalised quote tailored to your event.
Where are you based? Can I hire you for my destination event?
We are based in London, but you can hire us for events anywhere in the UK and internationally. We’ve performed at many destination events in beautiful locations across Europe and the Middle East.
If you’re looking to book us for a destination event, there are a few things to consider. Travel costs will apply — we’re happy to recommend the best airlines for travelling with instruments and can guide you through the process. Booking early is always recommended to help keep costs down. If accommodation is required for the musicians, this will be an additional expense to factor into your quote.
Do you have Public Liability Insurance (PLI)?
Yes, we have full Public Liability Insurance covering up to £10 million, which meets the requirements of most venues.
Moments from recent performances
A selection of weddings, events and celebrations we’ve performed at