FAQs
What will you wear?
We wear all black traditionally, however if you would prefer we can also wear smart casual or with a splash of colour. We are happy to liase with you regarding dress - nothing is ever set in stone!
What will you need on the day?
We will need four armless chairs and somewhere we can store our cases and bags whilst we are playing. We are happy to liase with venues on the day about this.
Can you play outdoors?
Yes we are more than happy to play outside, weather dependent, as care for our instruments is our priority.
Do you require any breaks?
Playing a stringed instrument is quite physically demanding so our musicians will need to take a comfort break during bookings lasting more than 1 hour - our break is always taken at a time convenient to you, usually timing when guests are away having their photographs taken or with your schedule. For bookings of 3 hours or less we take approximately 10 minutes in every hour of playing. For bookings over 3 hours we work in 45 minute sets.
We will discuss our breaks with you over email – don’t worry, we can coordinate around your itineary and can liaise with your venue staff on the day to cover our break with some background music if that's possible.
Refreshments should be supplied for events 4 hours or more.
How much do you charge?
This depends on length of time we are booked for and and how far we need to travel.
We are also aware that every wedding is planned to a different budget. With packages starting from £500 (less than the average cost of a cake), there's something for every budget.
With weddings we are happy to play for ceremonies, drinks only, wedding breakfast only, ceremony and drinks, ceremony and meal, drinks and meal, or all three. You can view all our wedding packages
here. Whilst we hope you will find what you are looking for in one of the packages, we are always happy to fit with any special timings, so please feel free to discuss anything different with us.
You can either email or phone our group co-ordinator Lauren with any questions you have or simply complete the
online form in the ‘contact’ section and click ‘submit’ to get the conversation started and a customised quote sent to you.
What information do you need to know about our event?
Initially we need to know the date of your event or wedding, the venue and how long you would like us to play for or what parts of your wedding you would like us for.
Once you are happy with a quote(s) with us, we will issue you with a booking form (with a contract). This asks for all the information we usually need; from timings, to venue, music requests and point of contacts on the day.
For advanced bookings, this detailed information can be confirmed at a later date.
You can send it back to us by post, or you can fill it in and send back via email.
How long can I book you for?
Our minimum booking length for hiring us is one (1) hour and our maximum length is five (5) hours. We are always happy to fit with any special timings or ideas you have whether it is a wedding, party or private function!
Please note: We will also discuss breaks with you if booking us for a fuller wedding package or big event, so we can minimise any disruption to the flow your day or evening as possible.
We will arrive at your event venue 20-30 minutes before our scheduled start playing time, this time is not charged. It is quite normal for weddings to overrun, and we are happy to stay for an extra 15 minutes free of charge (ceremonies only).
If you require us to stay for longer, and we are able to but do have a an overtime rate charge at £60 (30 minutes), £120 (60 minutes), or £180 (90 minutes).
This is to be paid in cash on the day, before the musicians start the overtime.
Please note:
If we have back-to-back bookings we would have to leave your event at the scheduled finish time regardless of your situation in order to be fair to the next booking.
How do I book you?
The best way is to fill out our online
quote form to enquire your booking with us.
You can also call us on
07818018301 or email Lauren at
fourstringquartetscotland@gmail.com for enquiries.
After receiving a quote from us just let us know by email if you wish to go ahead and we will provide you with a booking form (containing a contract).
Simply complete the form, read and sign the terms and conditions and send back by post or email.
After receiving confirmation, you will then receive details of how to pay a £100 deposit to secure the booking, and then the rest of the fee is to be paid by seven (7) days before the event date.
We accept online bank transfer or cheque for the deposit. For the remaining balance we accept online bank transfer, cheque, or cash before the day.
Unfortunately you cannot book us as a trio, we only perform as a quartet as our bespoke arrangements require four (4) players for all the harmonies to flow.
Do you play hymns?
Yes. We have a collection of popular hymns but can play from any hymn or organ sheet. We are also very happy to play less well-known hymns.
You can decide whether to use an organist or us to accompany your hymns. It’s common for the quartet to play for the bridal entrance and signing of the register, and then have the organist playing for your exit.
If you require a specific hymn for your ceremony that is not on our list, we will do this free of charge (as long as we are given enough notice)
What do you do if one of your members is ill on the day?
Thankfully this very rarely happens. However for your reassurance, we have a pool of deputy players who are able to stand in if required for illness, family circumstances, accidents etc.
Our deputies all have professional performing backgrounds, and are all very talented musicians - ensuring the absence of any one of our players will not affect the standard of performance for your day.
Can you arrange a piece of music for my wedding?
Yes! String arrangements work for the majority of music genres – classical, jazz, folk, pop, rock, musicals, and soundtracks. Some heavier genres like metal and rap are slightly trickier to arrange well for strings but we will discuss this with you if needed!
Please note we charge a fee of £30 for any new music requests not on our song list (excluding 2 free arrangements with wedding packages only and all hymns), please do ask if a song is not on our list - we may just have not updated it!
Please note: any special music requests should be made and confirmed up to 1 month prior to the event, this includes confirming hymns and any song/pieces. Late requests may not be possible to organise in time.
How far in advanced can I book you?
We are more than happy taking advanced bookings, with bookings in our diary for 2022!
Details such as timings, music and other requirements can change in the run-up to events, and we do not want to limit you to your original decisions.
For that reason, we confirm the details of your event with you when you choose to book the quartet, but will also confirm with you in writing no later than 12 weeks before the date of your event to confirm the finalised details.
We find that this way, means there is often time for you to alter your requirements if you are securing us 1-2 years ahead.
How will I know where to set up?
It is helpful for us if someone at the venue has been informed of your requirements for this.
If you let us know who this will be, they will be able to direct us to your chosen location.
What do you do with my data? (Data Protection & Privacy Statement)
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) specify that we must advise you of our policy on any data that we hold relating to you.
The data you have sent us via the webisite, emails and booking form is shared between Lauren Hamilton (group manager) and any person involved with organising or performing the services you have requested so that they can carry out their work as required for your booking.
To be clear, we do not share, sell or market any of your data with any 3rd parties whatsoever. Nobody! All data supplied to us by you is kept securely in our email facility and electronically filed as a booking form. Both our email facility and files are password protected, as is our computer. Part of the GDPR is your right to view the data an organisation holds in relation to you. Upon your request to view your data, when approved, you will be sent an email with the all the data that we hold on you.
Do you hold Public Liability Insurance?
Yes we do! We are fully covered so you have nothing to worry about!
Public Liability Insurance £10,000,000
Products Liability Insurance £10,000,000
Employer’s Liability Insurance £10,000,000
Do you play at wedding fayres?
We play at quite a few wedding fayres and open days throughout the year.
You are always welcome to pop along and say hello and have a listen each time we take part in one!
Please feel free to join us on our social networking pages to keep up to date with where we are playing. Do keep an eye on our active social media accounts:
Instagram and join us on
Facebook
When do I need to let you know my music choices?
We ask you to let us know on the booking form which we will send out at the point of booking. However we recognise that you may be undecided at this point and might like to take your time over the decision.
If this is the case we are happy for you to leave this section blank and let us know up to one month before the event.
If you are having a special arrangement this will need to be agreed at the time of booking.
Why should I choose live music for my wedding instead of a recording?
The ambiance is completely different with live music! It's just not the same to have a recording, which does not have the same depth and range and timbre of sound. Live music adds a classy touch, which can't be replaced. You and your guests will be so glad you chose live musicians!
