Not having a singer in the church

by **Summer 2012 bride** » Mon Mar 12, 2022 5:37 pm

Hi,
I'm considering just having a string quartet for the church ceremony with no singer, just wondering has anyone on here done this?

Thanks in advance :wv

by **klos** » Mon Mar 12, 2022 6:34 pm

Hi Summer bride 2012

This is what we are planning to do also

We have our string quartet booked and don't think we are going to bother with a singer. Would love to know if anyone has done this or been at a wedding where this was done?

by **csq** » Thu Mar 15, 2022 12:11 pm

Hi girls,

I am a member of a string quartet and we perform at weddings without singers all the time. The beauty of not having a singer is that you don't have to worry about appropriate or inappropriate lyrics in a song that you might really love the tune of. So, for example, where a song like "Kissing You" from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack, which is a popular one, might raise priest's eyebrows and on the day make a couple of older guests feel a bit awkward, you can have the song as an instrumental on the string quartet and no one need be any wiser as to whether it's appropriate or not!
If you're still looking for a string quartet, our website www.carolanstringquartet.com, has lots of tracks and a couple of videos for you to enjoy and do get in touch via that website if you have any more questions!

exiila · by **exiila** » Sun Mar 18, 2022 2:16 am

I'd never thought about not having a singer. Unheard of, unthinkable.
@ KLOS: Who did you book?

by **klos** » Mon Mar 19, 2022 9:40 pm

Hi Exilia, We booked the Dublin String Quartet. Any reason in particular having no singer so unthinkable? Im just curious as I would hate for all our guests to think it's strange having just instrumental music. I'm actually a singer myself and have done lot's of weddings so maybe that's why I don't want a singer!?

by **vgunning** » Wed Mar 21, 2022 4:12 am

It is very common not to have a singer. I play as a solo pianist, instrumental duo, or with a string quartet all the time! Please feel free to contact me if you are looking for instrumentalists.
[url]
http://www.churchmusic.ie/musicians/pia ... unning.htm
[/url]
Best Regards,

Valerie.

by **dublinstringquartet** » Wed Mar 21, 2022 9:10 am

Hi Ladies,

As CSQ said above, it is quite regular for us to perform at weddings without singers. I'd say only bout 10% of our weddings are with singers. What has actually become quite popular if you would definitely like a song sung, is that usually there is somebody in the congregation who can sing and would like to be involved. Your string quartet should have no problem accompanying them. Also, you should go and watch your string quartet performing on their own in a church ceremony so you have an idea of what it is like without a singer.

Good luck with your decisions!

by **appassionata** » Thu Mar 22, 2022 12:52 pm

Hi there!

Just to reiterate what our colleagues in the Carolan and Dublin string quartets have already stated

, we do play at wedding ceremonies mostly without singers, particularly in more recent times when budgets have become more restricted.
Indeed, a string quartet can be so much more versatile without a singer (as already stated by the csq!) and can be an understated and beautiful accompaniment to your wedding mass.
We can play instrumental versions of the Responsorial Psalm and Alleluia, if you so wish and
instrumental versions of 'Ag Chriost an Siol', the 'Ave Maria', 'Panis Angelicus' are particularly beautiful in the Mass. (please see our website for more suggestions)
Without a singer (as mentioned by the csq) you are less restricted with your repertoire, if you wished to have more contemporary pieces played.
Recently we played the love themes from the film Love Actually, 'Now we are free' from the film Gladiator , and 'The John Dunbar Theme' from Dances with Wolves during a Wedding Mass. We arranged them all especially for the couple!

You're more than welcome to come and listen to us at a venue convenient to you if you'd like!
(I'm sure if you contact any of the quartets they'd say the same!)

Wishing you all the best with your wedding planning, and do feel free to contact us with any further queries you may have!

http://www.appassionatastringquartet.com

exiila · by **exiila** » Mon Mar 26, 2022 2:31 pm

This is awesome thread. Answered by:
- 3 string quartets
- 1 singer
- 1 pianist
- 0 brides

I've just searched this forum http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/search.php and found reply to your question from 2005:
http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6634&p=47715&hilit=string+quartet+singer#p47715

by **klos** » Wed Apr 04, 2022 4:12 pm

I think your comment is a little unfair, 0 brides? I am a bride who replied to a post and was just looking for some opinions :-8

IsMise · by **IsMise** » Wed Apr 04, 2022 7:25 pm

I am also a bride & interested in this thread.

Have allocated church music for €350 ? Is it realistic ??

by **appassionata** » Sun Apr 08, 2022 7:46 pm

Hi there Is Mise :wv

The short answer is, yes, it's certainly realistic!
Being honest, you wouldn't get a string quartet for that amount, but that may not be what you're after anyway!
From our experience, within your budget, would certainly be a string duo, for instance, violin & cello (by some margin!?!!), some singers with accompaniment, a harpist, or an organist. I'm sure there are some other options open to you too........

Feel free to contact us re a quote for a duo if you so wish, and mention this WOL forum post!

Wishing you all the best with your wedding planning!

http://www.appassionatastringquartet.com

by **Sharon Ryan Wedding Singer** » Sun Apr 15, 2022 8:59 pm

Summer 2012Bride It is perfectly lovely to have just musicians at your wedding ceremony. You should choose your music based on what you want. I have been at many a wedding with beautiful music, and no singer. Everyone has different opinions and you should go with what you want. Best of Luck. :wv

by **musicbybrenda** » Mon Apr 23, 2022 12:01 am

Summer 2012. I just saw this thread and thought I would give my opinion.
My suggestion to you would be to go and listen to a string quartet play at a wedding ceremony- I know from my own experience of dealing with couples, that going to hear a live performance is the best way of deciding on your music and song choice.
I have been at wedding where there was just a quartet playing and it sounded lovely.
I have also been at weddings where I have been asked to perform a song with the quartet. Only you can decide and I would certainly suggest you go and listen to to a live performance. Try not to worry to much as I know you will make the right decision at the end of the day. The very best of luck to you. :xox

by **Summer 2012 bride** » Fri Apr 27, 2022 3:03 am

Ladies, thank you all so much for your replies, advice and taughts.

I think Brenda is right. I will go and listen to them play and make my decisions based on that.

In all honesty having a singer and the quartet was never part of my original plans, I love instrumental music ,never mind the expense!!!, but I did get a few raised eyebrows when I told some people this so wondering was I making a mistake.

Great to get all your feedback, so thank you all so much againxxxx

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