Top 10 Most Requested String Quartet Songs for Australian Ceremonies and Receptions
Creating Unforgettable Musical Moments for Your Special Day
Gone are the days when one looks for just any other wedding band, DJ or event band in Australia or indeed around the world! It’s your special event with the wonderful live music! And despite the range of musical options now on offer, string quartets continue to be one of the most popular choices for ceremonies and receptions all over Australia. Spanning sublime classics to modern love songs, here are our top 10 most requested string quartet songs for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and other special moments. We’ll also give you some pointers on selecting music that’s perfect for your venue and explain why hiring a live quartet offers the ultimate backdrop to any event.
- Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Why it’s great: This classic baroque masterpiece is all about refinement. It’s a popular wedding music for brides and grooms, thanks to its warm harmonies and a steady build. Ideal for: Church wedding, naming ceremony, formal corporate dinner party.
Composer: Johann Pachelbel
Perfect for: Cathedral locations, heritage halls and traditional garden wedding services.
- One Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Why it’s great: The lyrics of this modern love song, which will never grow old, make it a perfect selection for weddings and vow renewals. Played by a string quartet, its emotional range is deepened.
Ideal for: Beach weddings, vow renewals, outdoor anniversary parties.
Singer: Christina Perri
Good for: Waterfront spaces, vineyards and mountaintop elopements.
- At Last – Etta James
Why it’s cherished: A soulful anthem for lasting love, often selected to celebrate at receptions, on milestone anniversaries and, in some cases, for retirement tributes. Lush melodies that sound amazing through strings.
Good for: Anniversary dinners, formal corporate awards evenings, or second weddings.
Singer: Etta James
Ideal for: Art deco spaces, candlelit restaurants and jazz-fuelled receptions.
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
Truthfully, I would add every single Elvis song to this list because they all have that Beatles feel, except more drastic because they were around a decade before the Beatles.
Why it’s loved: This classic song never goes out of style and is often requested not only at weddings, but commitment ceremonies and even surprise proposals.
Ideal for: Elopements, LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremonies, memorial reflections.
Singer: Elvis Presley
Best for: Beautiful outdoor locations, roof tops, private estates.
- Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
Why people love it: Dreamy and meditative, it’s a pretty selection for quiet times such as memorial services, intimate family gatherings and interludes within larger events.
Great if: You want a small yet intimate space for memorials, baby naming ceremonies, and more private receptions.
Composer: Claude Debussy
Ideal for: Churches, galleries and indoor heritage venues.
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Why it’s great: A love song for the charts that speaks directly to 21st-century couples. As appropriate at a wedding as it is for anniversary surprises or special birthday tributes.
Great for: Engagement celebrations, proposals, wedding receptions.
Singer: Ed Sheeran
Perfect for: Vineyard, boho garden and backyard soiree.
- Rainbow and Somewhere Over the – Harold Arlen
Why it’s loved: It’s uplifting and nostalgic, and seems to fit into just about every genre of celebration—especially memorials, naming ceremonies, and milestone celebrations; it’s a classic.
Good for: Memorial services, children’s birthdays, baby showers.
Composer: Harold Arlen
Ideal for: out-door gardens, community halls and family friendly venues.
- All You Need is Love – The Beatles
Why it’s a hit: Bubbly, uplifting and familiar, the song is a shot of joy at any happy event. Great for weddings, sure, but also product launches, LGBTQIA+ initiatives and multicultural ceremonies.
Good for: Wedding recessions, corporate launches, Pride celebrations.
Band: The Beatles
Ideal for: Modern settings, rooftop bars and bold open floor plan environments.
- The Swann – Camille Saint-Saëns
Why it’s great: A soulful cello-led track that’s both calming and emotional. Often selected for meditative occasions such as memorials or to give to a ritual solemnity. Ideal for: Memorial services, corporate events and awards ceremonies.
Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns
Ideal for: Chapels, candlelit rooms and anywhere with natural acoustics.
- Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Why it’s so adored: This modern anthem is loud, rhythmic and the perfect song to get any celebration started. It’s a hit at weddings, but also at grand openings, end-of-year fetes and corporate parties!
Ideal for: Reception entrances, team parties, gala evenings.
Band: Coldplay
Perfect for: Industrial warehouse, marquee receptions, and edgy city venues.
Why Hire a String Quartet for Your Wedding Ceremony or Reception?
Whether you are getting married, honoring a loved one, or celebrating a milestone, a string quartet has many advantages: Beauty and versatility: Quartets lend themselves well to all kinds of styles — from music from the past few decades of wedding favorites, to today’s ballads, to classical favorites.
Emotional depth: Strings add emotional depth to key points, whether a walk down the aisle or a reflection on a eulogy.
Your type of event: From company affairs to family celebrations and solemn occasions, string music can be customised to suit the mood and atmosphere.
A national talent pool: Good string quartets are on offer throughout Australia and there should be no difficulty having the music you want wherever your event takes place.
Ceremony music Australia style: Selecting for Your Venue Type
Here’s a little guide to help you choose the right style of music for your particular venue and occasion:
- Beach or Coastal Venues:
For gentle sea breezes and a romantic backdrop, “A Thousand Years” or “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” fits the bill. - Historic Churches & Chapels:
Classical works such as “Canon in D” or “The Swan” are well suited to sacred settings and contemplative proceedings. - Vineyards & Gardens:
Modern classics like “Perfect” or “At Last” suit casual, sun-filled spaces. - Corporate Spaces & Launch Events:
With up-beat options such as “Viva La Vida” or “All You Need is Love” to help get that showman start! - Private Homes & Backyards:
Small group expectations and standards such as “Can’t help falling in love” provide an element of warmth and intimacy.
Final Note:
Wedding String Quartet Songs and no matter what your choice of string quartet songs or live event music is, the range of music we can perform is not only ideal for a lawn party, but skillfully selected so as not to be over-empowering in the background of your most special of days. Whether it’s a love story, life achievement, or the loss of a loved one, the perfect music can tell your story.
At Sting Musicians Australia – we have some of the most talented and professional string musicians in Australia ready to make elegant, live entertainment their finest performance at your function. From your favorite wedding music to elegant arrangements for memorials or milestones, we’re here to help you make music a fulfilling element of your life, deeply personal and beautifully unforgettable.
All set to make your event come to life with strings?
Contact us today and let’s put together your perfect performance!
