String Quartet for Hire London
Hire a professional London string quartet for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Our musicians regularly perform with the LSO, LPO, and Royal Philharmonic, bringing the same world-class standard to your event.
Trusted by 1,000+ Happy Clients!
Clients include Knight Frank, Netflix, Aston Martin, Coutts, Corinthia Hotel, Financial Times, Samsung, Adidas, Virgin Music and Warner Bros Discovery.
London String Quartet
Kara Strings is a professional London string quartet available for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations across London, the UK, and internationally. From intimate ceremonies at Fitzrovia Chapel to grand events at Claridge’s, The Ritz, and Hampton Court Palace, we bring world-class musicianship, elegance, and warmth to every occasion.
Our musicians are graduates of the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and perform regularly with leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Philharmonia. We have also performed live alongside global artists such as Michael Bublé and Ed Sheeran. When you hire Kara Strings, you are booking musicians who deliver the same standard of excellence on your event as they do on the world’s greatest stages.
Watch Our String Quartet
Why choose a string quartet for your event?
A string quartet — two violins, viola, and cello — delivers the rich, full sound of a miniature orchestra while maintaining an intimate, refined presence. Unlike a DJ or a band, live strings create an atmosphere that is impossible to replicate: warm, elegant, and deeply human.
Whether you’re walking down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon, entertaining guests with Bridgerton-style arrangements at your drinks reception, or setting the tone for a corporate dinner, a string quartet elevates every moment without overpowering it — background music that people actually stop and listen to.
Our repertoire spans everything from 1690s classical masterpieces to 2026 chart hits, blending elegance with personality. Check availability for your date and let’s start planning your music.
Wedding String Quartet
A wedding string quartet transforms every part of your day. We play as your guests arrive and take their seats, throughout the ceremony (bridal entrance, signing of the register, and exit), and continue into the drinks reception and wedding breakfast.
From a civil ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall to a relaxed drinks reception at The Ned London or Soho House, we tailor the music to suit the setting, the moment, and the mood you want to create. Whether you have a clear vision or are starting from scratch, we will help you build the perfect playlist for your day.
One complimentary custom arrangement is included with every booking, so if there is a song you love that is not on our repertoire list, just ask. Browse our most requested wedding string quartet songs for 2026 below.
For walking down the aisle or signing the registry:
- Canon in D
- Wildest Dreams
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
- A Thousand Years
- Yellow
- Here Comes the Sun
- Perfect
- Bittersweet Symphony
- Vivaldi – Spring (Recomposed)
- At Last
- Salut d’Amour
- Concerning Hobbits
- Stand by Me
- Your Song
- Beauty and the Beast
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight
- Young and Beautiful
- God Only Knows
- La Vie en Rose
- You’re My Best Friend
- Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana)
For the exit (upbeat and celebratory):
- Viva La Vida
- Queen of Sheba
- Marry You
- I Want to Hold Your Hand
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
- Happy
- We Found Love
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
- So Happy Together
- Boccherini – Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid
Looking for a different ensemble?
While our string quartet is the most popular choice for weddings and events, we also offer a range of ensemble options to suit different styles and settings.
You can book us as a solo violinist, violin and cello duo, string trio, or our signature 6-piece string ensemble.
For larger events or a fuller sound, we can also create a bespoke chamber orchestra tailored to your event.
Repertoire. From Pachelbel’s Canon to Billie Eilish, Vivaldi to Taylor Swift — our string quartet repertoire spans over 650 songs across classical, pop, jazz, film scores, Bridgerton, Bollywood, and world music. Whether you want a traditional ceremony, a Bridgerton-themed wedding, or modern chart hits for your drinks reception, we have it covered.
We are one of the only string quartets in London to offer the complete Bridgerton soundtrack — every single song from the series. And every booking includes one complimentary custom arrangement, so if there is a special song you want played on your day, just ask.
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 Our String Quartet?
Four Musicians. One Perfect Sound.
The string quartet is the most complete sound in chamber music. Rich enough to fill any room, refined enough to never overpower it.
Conservatoire-Trained Musicians
Every musician in our quartet is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, or Guildhall School of Music and Drama — the three leading music conservatoires in the UK. You are not hiring talented amateurs. You are hiring professionals at the top of their field.
Regularly on the World's Greatest Stages
Our quartet perform with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Philharmonia — on stages including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican, and the Southbank Centre. We bring that same standard to your event.
One of London's Largest String Quartet Repertoires
Over 650 songs across classical, pop, jazz, film and TV, Bollywood, Disney, and world music — including the complete Bridgerton soundtrack. If you have a favourite song, the chances are we already play it. And if we don't, one custom arrangement is included free with every booking.
Performed Alongside Global Artists
Our musicians have shared the stage with Michael Bublé and Ed Sheeran. When you book with Kara Strings, you are getting a string quartet that performs at an international level.
A String Quartet for the UK's Most Prestigious Venues
From Claridge's and The Ritz to Hampton Court Palace and the Natural History Museum, we have performed at over 50 of the UK's most prestigious venues. We understand how these spaces work, and we know how to deliver a flawless performance in any of them.
Some of the Venues We've Performed At
Our String quartet has performed at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues, from five-star London hotels and royal palaces to exclusive country estates and iconic cultural landmarks.
If you’re planning a wedding or event at one of these venues, we already understand the space and how to deliver a seamless performance at the highest level.
Hotels
Claridge’s, The Ritz, The Dorchester, Corinthia Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Shangri-La The Shard, The Ned London, The Langham, The Landmark, Grosvenor House, Rosewood London
Country Houses & Estates
Cliveden House, Coworth Park, Ashridge House, Elmore Court, Hedsor House, Froyle Park, Braxted Park Estate, Botleys Mansion, Northbrook Park, Stock Brook Country Club, Cowdray Park, Oaks Farm, Deer Park Country House, The Orangery Kent
Heritage & Royal
Hampton Court Palace, St James’s Palace, Kew Gardens, Syon Park, Old Royal Naval College, Chiswick House, Pembroke Lodge, Royal Ascot Racecourse, Royal Automobile Club, Mansion House, Parliament
Arts & Culture
Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, The Gherkin
Town Halls & Event Spaces
Old Marylebone Town Hall, Islington Town Hall, Camden Town Hall, One Marylebone, One Great George Street, Fitzrovia Chapel, Soho House
Client Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it
FAQ
How do I book your string quartet and secure my date?
Booking our London string quartet is simple and designed to be stress-free. Once we’ve confirmed our availability for your date, we’ll send you a short booking form to complete. After you confirm the details, we’ll issue an invoice for a 25% deposit. Your booking is officially secured as soon as the deposit has been received. The remaining balance is then due 21 days before the event.
For bookings made within three weeks of the event, full payment is required at the time of booking. We accept bank transfer and credit card payments (a 2% transaction fee applies to card payments).
What’s the difference between a string duo, trio and quartet?
Our string duo consists of a violin and cello, while a string trio adds a viola for a richer, fuller sound. A string quartet — two violins, viola and cello — offers the most complete and balanced sound, and is the most popular choice for weddings and events.
While a duo or trio can work beautifully for more intimate settings or smaller budgets, a quartet delivers the full depth and warmth that string music is known for.
If you’re unsure which ensemble is right for your event, we’d be happy to help.
How much does it cost to hire a string quartet in London?
Our string quartet bookings typically start from £790, depending on the duration, location and specific requirements of your event.
Each quote is tailored to your event, so the final price can vary based on factors such as performance time, travel and any additional requests. Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to provide a personalised quote.
Is booking time based on playing time or total time at the venue?
Booking time is based on the total time at the venue, rather than just playing time. Your booking runs continuously from the moment we begin our first set through to the end of your final performance. This includes any breaks for the musicians and any necessary moves between locations.
For example, if you’d like us to perform at your ceremony from 1–2pm and then again for your wedding breakfast from 4–6pm, the booking time would be 5 hours (1–6pm), rather than just 3 hours of playing time. This is because we reserve the full time between your first and last performance.
Set-up and pack-down are not included in your booking time. We always arrive ahead of your booking start time to set up and ensure everything is ready before the performance begins.
How long do you play for and how do breaks work?
Our performances are typically structured into sets of around 45–60 minutes. For bookings longer than one hour, we include a short break of around 10 minutes between sets to allow the musicians to rest and perform at their best throughout your event. For bookings over three hours, one of these breaks will be a longer meal break.
We always coordinate breaks with your event planner or venue team to ensure they fall during natural transitions — such as when guests are moving between spaces or during speeches — so the atmosphere remains seamless.
If you require continuous music for a specific part of your event, just let us know in advance and we’ll plan the schedule accordingly.
What time do you arrive to set up?
We always arrive ahead of your booking start time to set up and ensure everything is ready before the performance begins. In most cases, this is around 30 minutes in advance, depending on the venue and access.
If your event has specific requirements or timings, we’re happy to coordinate this in advance to make sure everything runs smoothly.
How does song selection work and can we choose our own songs?
You’re very welcome to choose your own songs for your event. You can either create a playlist for us to follow, or we can select a well-balanced set from our repertoire to suit the atmosphere on the day.
We usually finalise song choices around 21 days before the event, so there’s no rush to decide everything straight away.
For wedding ceremonies, you would typically choose one piece for the entrance, one or two songs for the signing of the register, and one piece for the exit. If you’d like guidance, we’re always happy to suggest suitable options.
Can you learn a special song request for us?
Yes, we’re always happy to learn a special song for your event. We include one complimentary song request outside our standard repertoire, subject to sheet music being available.
For additional requests, a small arrangement fee may apply depending on the piece and ensemble. If you have something specific in mind, just let us know and we’ll be happy to advise.
Do you play Bridgerton-style music and modern songs, or only classical?
Absolutely. We are one of the few string quartets in London with the complete Bridgerton soundtrack in our repertoire — yes, every single song from the series. If you love the Vitamin String Quartet style, that is exactly the kind of contemporary classical sound we specialise in.
Our repertoire spans everything from the 1690s to 2026 — from the timeless elegance of Pachelbel’s Canon in D to the latest chart hits — covering pop, film and TV soundtracks, jazz, Bollywood and world music alongside the full classical canon.
So whether you want a traditional ceremony followed by Taylor Swift for your drinks reception, or a full Bridgerton-themed wedding soundtrack, we have it covered. Browse our full repertoire list or get in touch if you have something specific in mind.
Is your full repertoire available across all ensemble sizes?
Yes — every song in our repertoire can be performed by any of our ensembles, whether you book a solo violinist, duo, trio, string quartet or 6-piece ensemble. We have arrangements specifically tailored for each line-up, so the music always sounds its best.
That said, some pieces naturally have more depth with larger ensembles. Our string quartet offers the fullest and most balanced sound, while smaller ensembles create a more intimate feel. For example, Max Richter’s Recomposed: Spring is a very popular choice, but it has greater impact when performed by a full string quartet rather than a duo or solo violin.
We’re always happy to advise on what will work best for your event and chosen ensemble.
What do you need from the venue on the day?
Just four armless chairs and approximately 3 x 2 metres of clear floor space — we bring everything else ourselves. We are fully self-contained, so there is nothing else the venue needs to provide.
We will confirm all logistical details with you ahead of the event to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
Can your string quartet perform outdoors?
Yes, we regularly perform outdoors at weddings and events across London and the UK.
To protect our instruments, suitable shelter is required — such as a gazebo or covered structure — to shield from direct sunlight, heat, wind and rain. Trees alone are not sufficient. We also ask that an indoor backup option is available in case weather conditions become unsuitable on the day.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony or reception, just let us know in advance and we’ll be happy to coordinate with your venue to ensure everything is properly arranged.
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.
Do you perform outside London, and are there any additional travel costs?
We are based in London but regularly perform across the UK and internationally. We have played at destination events throughout Europe and the Middle East and are always happy to travel for the right occasion.
For events outside London, travel costs will apply and will be clearly included in your personalised quote. For destination events involving flights, we are highly experienced in travelling with instruments and can guide you through the process to ensure everything runs smoothly.
We recommend booking early for destination events, as this helps keep travel costs more manageable. Any required accommodation for the musicians will also be factored into your quote.
If you are planning an event outside London or abroad, simply get in touch with your details and we will take care of the rest.
What happens if I need to cancel or postpone my booking?
We understand that plans can change, so here’s a clear summary of our cancellation and postponement policy:
* Cancellations more than 21 days before your event: Only the deposit is retained; no further charges apply.
* Cancellations within 21 days of your event: Full payment is required, including any pre-booked travel or accommodation costs.
* Deposits: Please note that deposits are non-refundable in all circumstances.
* Force Majeure events: In cases such as extreme weather, government restrictions, or transport failure, the contract becomes void. Any payments beyond the deposit and travel costs will be refunded. If your event is postponed due to Force Majeure and our musicians are available on the new date, the original contract remains valid.
If you have any concerns about your booking or need to discuss a change of date, please contact us as soon as possible — we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
String quartet performances
A selection of weddings and events featuring our quartet
