Ottawa Wedding String Ensemble-Rockliffe Park. Julie and Mike’s wedding ceremony, June 30, 2013 at Rockcliffe Park Pavilion, Ottawa ON. Summer is definitely upon us, and Julie and Mike did a great job in planning a beautiful summer wedding! Rockcliffe Park Pavilion was built in 1918 and overlooks the Ottawa River. As you can imagine it is a fabulous venue for a wedding ceremony.

Solo Violinist adds a special touch

For Julie and Mike’s wedding, they booked our solo violinist who performed Imagine by the Beatles as the attendants walked down the aisle, followed by Blowers Daughter for the bride. The melody from What a Wonderful World was performed for the Signing, and the summer classic Wouldn’t It Be Nice led the couple down the aisle as husband and wife. “Imagine” will be played for the attendants walking down the aisle, “Blowers Daughter” for when I walk down the aisle, “What a Wonderful World” for the signing and “Wouldn’t it be Nice” for the recessional.

About Our Ottawa Wedding String Ensemble

Duo d’Amore is an award winning string ensemble, made up of professional violin, viola and cello players. Together we have versatile string ensembles such as solo violinists and cellists, string duos, string trios and quartets. We perform a wide variety of music including pop, Top40, video game music and classical for weddings. And we also perform for special, corporate, charity and government of Canada events. Whatever the size and scope of your wedding or event, there is a string ensemble that will perfectly suit the occasion. Listed below is an overview of our string ensembles. And also some general remarks about the size of wedding or event where they are best suited. Every event is unique and we suggest that you contact us so that we can plan and customize a string ensemble for your special occasion. Contact us here: https://duodamore.com/contact-us/

How to Choose the Right Wedding String Ensemble

When couples are deciding on the right combination of instruments for their wedding, they should consider their musical preferences and the atmosphere they want to create. Here are some general guidelines:

The solo violin

The smallest bowed string instrument in the violin family is the violin. It is also the quietest instrument. That does not mean that it cannot produce a large sound. Don’t forget that violin soloists regularly perform with a 50-100 piece orchestra. This is in a large hall seating 2000 or more people, and the solo violin can be heard over the entire orchestra. How? This comes down to the skill of the violinist, and positioning. And this is why at wedding ceremonies for example we often are quite picky about the exact spot where our violinists and ensembles perform, no matter if the string ensemble is outdoors or indoors a single violinist is a great choice. Duo d’Amore’s solo violinist is a great option for those who want live music but have a smaller budget. The solo violinist performs classical pieces, contemporary pieces, and a mix of both. Their music is perfect for wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and intimate dinners.

The solo cello

Like the solo violin, a solo cellist is a great option for slightly smaller wedding ceremonies.  Receptions, both cocktail and dinner is also suited to the solo cello. Larger than the violin, it is very resonant, and can play an equally wide range of music. Clients that hire the solo cello and solo violin for weddings and events often have a guest list of under 50, but not necessarily so.

The violin and cello duo

The violin and cello duo, or string duet, is made up of one violin player and one cello player. This is our most requested string ensemble for hire. Having both the violin, which is able to play soaring melodies, and the cello which is able to anchor and often accompany, while having an even larger sound it is no wonder that this is our most popular string ensemble. I like to imagine that the violin is like the right hand of the piano and the cello is the left had of the piano, together they can play almost anything, and that is another reason that it is our most popular ensembles. Duo d’Amore’s violin and cello duo is a popular choice for weddings. The duo consists of a violinist and a cellist who play together, creating a beautiful, harmonious sound. The duo’s repertoire includes classical pieces, contemporary pieces, and a mix of both. Their music is perfect for wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and dinner parties.

The String Trio

The string trio is made up of the violin and cello, with the addition of a third instrument. Often this is a violin or viola. We recommend this ensemble for 150-200 guests. Also, the string trio a great mid size ensemble that is an excellent option for an outdoor wedding or large church wedding.

The String Quartet

Our string quartet is the largest wedding ensemble that we have for hire. We often recommend the string quartet for large gatherings, receptions, weddings and events with 200 or more guests. The string quartet is one of our more versatile ensembles, as we can perform everything from Bach, Beethoven and Brahms in the classical spectrum, to pop, jazz, folk, Top40 and beyond.

Additional options:

Combining with Other Instruments: Couples can also consider combining the string ensemble with other instruments, such as piano, organ, or trumpet, to add additional layers of sound and variety. A church wedding is a great option for this, and we love to work with other musicians.

Budget

A solo violinist/cellist will typically be the most affordable option. And the string quartet will be the most expensive. If budget is a major consideration, a solo violinist/cellist or a string duo may be the best choice.

Space

The size of the space where the event will be held will also affect which ensemble you choose for your event. A solo violinist/cellist or a string duo will be more suitable for a smaller space, while a string quartet will be better for a larger venue.

Music selection

A solo violinist/cellist or a string duo may be a better choice for a more intimate and personal event, such as a wedding ceremony, where a more classical and traditional music selection is often required. On the other hand, a string trio or quartet will be able to play a wider range of music, including contemporary and pop songs, making them more suitable for larger events such as a cocktail receptions or corporate events. Use youtube as a resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Lse_uoJpc

Number of guests

The number of guests will also play a role in your decision. A solo violinist/cellist or a string duo will be more intimate and perfect for small gatherings. A string trio or quartet will be more suitable for larger events with a bigger audience.

Personal preference

Ultimately, to choose the right string ensemble for your event will come down to personal preference. Listen to samples (https://duodamore.com/samples/) of the different options and think about which one feels right for you. It is always worth inquiring about the different options available. This way  you get exactly what you want for your event.

Not only classical–huge pop and modern music list

Having pop string music at a wedding or reception offers a unique and enchanting atmosphere. One that beautifully blends tradition with contemporary flair. One of the key advantages is the versatility it brings to the event. Pop string music has the ability to cover a wide range of popular songs, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What cities and areas do we serve?

We serve the following cities and surrounding areas:

• Vancouver
• Victoria
• Banff
• Canmore
• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Winnipeg
• Toronto/GTA
• Peterborough
• Saskatoon
• Sudbury
• Thunder Bay
• North Bay

• Mississauga
• Oakville
• Burlington
• Hamilton
• Niagara
• London
• Kitchener
• Waterloo
• Cambridge
• Caledon
• Vaughan

• Owen Sound
• Collingwood
• Meaford
• Ottawa
• Gatineau
• Wakefield
• Kanata
• North Gower
• Montreal
• Halifax
• Charlottetown

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