Frequently Asked Questions | Celebrate with Strings Attached Live Music for Austin Texas

Depending on the ensemble you choose, we can perform almost any style, including: classical, jazz, pop, funk, Motown, swing, Latin, tango, Brazilian and others

2. Should I have a quintet, quartet, trio or duo? For an intimate ceremony in a small chapel we recommend a duo or trio. At an outdoor wedding the sound of a duo might not carry as well as a quartet or quintet.

3. Can any of your group’s play the Wedding March or Canon by Pachelbel? Yes, most of the wedding repertoire is possible to perform with any instrumental combinations.

4. How much do you charge? Our rates mostly depend on the number of musicians and the length of the engagement. Prices start as low as $250.00 for a solo musician for up to one hour. Call Amanda today at 512-944-8407 for a quote.

5. Can we see you perform? We will be happy to let you know where and when Will Taylor & Strings Attached is planning to have a concert.

6. How far in advance can I reserve the date? The earlier the better. We book any time. Some people leave the entertainment for the last to take care of. That could be stressful for both the bride and musicians. Safe to sign the contract 6 months to a year before the wedding. Please keep in mind that Saturday is the most popular wedding day. Very likely that you will find facilities and vendors more available on Fridays, Sundays and weekdays. If your wedding is just a few weeks away, call us, we might be available on your date.

7. How long have you been in the business? 22 years.

8. Do you have a contract? Yes, we do. It must be signed and completed with the retainer fee.

9. Do we meet with you to talk about our music selections for our wedding? Not usually. It works very well to discuss music questions over the phone. We need to get your final decision about the music selection 2-4 weeks before your event.

10. Where are you located? Austin, Texas and we are available to perform anywhere in the world.

11. Can you help me with the music selection? Yes just ask. But in most cases you can use several resources we've put together to help you.

Strings Attached has created an app specifically for your selection needs called My Wedding Music.
If you don't have an iphone, ipad, or itouch, just use the songlists on each of the Music pages. You get there by mousing over the MUSIC menu item above.
We've also put together a guide to choosing your ceremony music under the HELP section.

12. Is it necessary to have the group play at our rehearsal? We have found that it is generally unnecessary for us to attend the dress rehearsal. As long as things are well communicated prior to the ceremony, and you inform us of any changes that occurred at the rehearsal, the wedding music will go smoothly. However, if you strongly feel you want Strings Attached to attend the dress rehearsal, we will try to do so if ourcalendarsare not already booked. Another option is to have the leader attend the rehearsal. A separate fee will be charged for rehearsal attendance of $75 per hour.

13. My wedding will be outdoors. How do I keep the musicians happy? In order to keep the promised playing quality and protect our valuable instruments we need a shaded, dry, flat area to set up. Purchaser understands that some instruments, particularly string instruments, are extremely valuable and are susceptible to damage when exposed to certain climatic variations, such as rain, direct sunlight and temperatures above 85 degrees or below 50 degrees. Unless prior written approval is obtained from Artist, Purchaser agrees that the temperature range at the performance site will fall between the stated above and that Artist will not be placed in direct sunlight or exposed to rain, sleet, snow, or other unreasonably inclement weather or performance conditions. Refreshments are greatly appreciated for summer heat.

14. What do I need to know about travel charges? Varies by location. All price quotes include mileage. We charge .50/mile per musician.

15. How much time shall I leave for the prelude music before the ceremony? For a gathering of 100 or less we recommend 15 minutes of prelude music. If the number of guests exceeds 100, than plan on 20-30 minutes of prelude music.

16. When do you take breaks? After each hour of playing we take a break of 10-15 minutes. If we have a long engagement (3 hours or more) with you and we are offered to have a meal, then we take 20-25 minutes to eat.

17. What do your musicians wear on a special event?

On our contract we give you four options to choose from:

- Tux (men), black & white (women) - Tux (men), evening dress (women) -Button down shirt and slacks (men), nice dress (women) -Outdoor: All black sleeve shirt and slacks, nice dress (women)

18. What if one of your players is ill or cannot make it on the day of my wedding? If that happens we will do our best to replace that person immediately. However we cannot guarantee that we can find a substitute player in such short notice. The rest of the group will perform the requested music if possible. The fee for the missing player will be refunded.

19. Do you work with wedding coordinators/event consultants or the music director of a church? Yes. Communication is a key to a well-organized wedding. I.e., music for a Catholic Mass must be carefully coordinated in consultation with the priest or music director. We’ll also speak directly to your coordinator before the wedding regarding cues, etc.

20. Can your group play a piece that is not listed on your repertoire? Yes. But there will be an added fee depending on a number of factors. Check with Amanda and she'll get you a quote right asap.

21. Do different instrument combinations have different repertoire?

NO--most of the standard wedding pieces are available for any combination.

YES--the originalpieces written for duos, trios and quartets can only be performed with that specific instrument combination it was written for.

22. When is the retainer due to hold the date, how much is it and when is the final payment due? After receiving our contract the retainer is due within 5 days. It is 50% of the total price and is non-refundable. The final payment is due immediately following the event in Cash, Check, Money-Order or Credit. We accept all major credit cards, but prefer cash or check.

23. Can I change the times printed on the contract? We prefer not to change the specified times on the contract. It is very likely that our musicians have other engagements before or after your event and that would cause scheduling problems. To be safe allow 1 and 1/2 hours for the ceremony. If your event is short and you are sure that your guests will find the location and your wedding party will be ready in time, one hour will probably be fine. Most weddings do start a bit late and we try to prevent having problems. But if it looks like there must be a change, call us and we’ll do our best to accommodate that request

24. What if I need the musicians to stay extra time after the contracted time expired? Please ask the lead musician if they are available to stay longer. Specify how much longer you need them for. The overtime rate is specified on your contract and the extra amount should be added to the balance.

25. Will the group move or travel from the ceremony site to another location for the reception? Is there an extra charge for travel? Moving from one room to another doesn't take much, we always appreciate some help with chairs and stands to speed up the process. Travel from one location to another is no problem either. You will be charged for the entire time the musicians are booked for even if there is travel involved during the contract.

26. Will you play with the church organist? Yes. We suggest to add a soloist (singer, French horn or trumpet) to the organ or have one of the musicians from the trio or quartet play a solo piece accompanied by the organ. To have a string quartet or trio perform with the organ might sound too thick. We will need to discuss and work out the music with the organist ahead of time.

27. Can you accompany my friend or family member who sings? Yes. Strings Attached has a $100.00 fee to perform with anyone not in our group. There's a lot of planning, back and forth and organizing that takes place to pull this type of performance off and we charge for our time in preparing for a singer we have never worked with. We'll also need to get the sheet music (a piano score or piano-voice score with guitar chords provided in case you have selected a guitar as one of the instruments in the group) of the chosen piece in the same key your singer will perform in. We will look at the music and decide if it can be used as it is or it needs an arrangement. The music needs to be arranged if it is longer than 3 pages or is very densely harmonized. It can cost $50 (and up) to write an arrangement. We need to have a short rehearsal with your soloist (approx. 15-30 min.) before the Prelude music starts. There will be extra charge for that service.

28. I would like to hire a vocalist or trumpeter besides the string quartet for my ceremony. Can your group accompany the soloist? Yes. If Strings Attached hires the soloist you have nothing to worry about. Our musicians have a great experience and repertoire available to accompany our soloists.

29. How do the musicians know when to start the processional? We usually need to get a cue from a wedding coordinator or anybody who is appointed to coordinate your ceremony. That person knows when the mothers are getting ready to proceed. At that moment she/he lets us know by telling us or waving at us and everything flows perfectly after that.

30. Does your group use amplification? We use amplification for large ceremonies of 100 (and up) or outside weddings. There is a fee for a PA, and for microphones. We can provide full audio reinforcement for the couple, a wireless lavalier for the officiant as well as the ensemble. For reception music, PA System and lights are included in the price.

31. What kind of chairs do you need? Armless chairs, please. The simplest foldable chairs work perfect.

32. Do we need to provide food for the musicians? We really appreciate being offered refreshment and a bite during a break on a long engagement (3 hours or more), but are discreet and polite about not interrupting your guests. If we perform as a reception band we usually have dinner at the event and its provided by the client or party. If we perform as a String band for a ceremony we usually don't eat.

33. How much space does the ensemble need? Musicians with string instruments need some room to be able to perform. We would like to avoid touching anybody with our bows. (also they are fragile. ) Also, the band is a 6 piece with sound a lights so we need room for Speakers, light stands, players and equipments etc...

For example:

Quartet - 9 feet x 13 feet

Trio - 7 feet x 10 feet

Duo - 5 feet x 7 feet

Band - 10feet X 12 feet

34. What do musicians need?

Our musicians will bring their own music stands and gear. Please provide an armless chair for each player and adequate reading light for indoor weddings and protection from the elements of outdoor weddings. Please let us know if you are planning to have very dim lights on your ceremony or dinner. We will be happy to bring our stand lights. We really appreciate being offered refreshment and a hot meal during a break on a long engagement (3 hours or more), but are discreet and polite about not interrupting your guests.

35. Special Song Requests

We are happy to perform any songs that are not on our songlist. A fee will apply depending on a number of factors. Just check in with Amanda or Will today.

Contact: Amanda Cevallos
[email protected]
Phone or Text 512-944-8407 or 512-775-2371

For Pricing and Booking Contact Amanda Cevallos @ (512) 944-8407