String Quartet Kent at The Tunbridge Wells Spa Hotel

As a String Quartet Kent ensemble, we’re often asked to perform music that reflects a couple’s own tastes rather than following a traditional wedding playlist, and Danniella’s wedding at The Tunbridge Wells Spa Hotel was a great example of that approach.

The music throughout the day drew on a mix of film music, contemporary songs and family favourites, creating a soundtrack that felt completely personal to the couple.

For the ceremony entrance, Danniella chose a combination of Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Tale as Old as Time. Both pieces translate beautifully for strings and worked particularly well together, providing a gentle build as guests settled into the ceremony before the bridal entrance.

One of the most distinctive moments came during the signing of the register. We were joined by family guest vocalist Layla for a performance of Feels Like Home by Randy Newman. Accompanying a live singer during a ceremony always brings a slightly different dynamic, and it was a lovely addition to an already personal service.

The newlyweds then left the ceremony to Man I Love by Olivia Dean. It’s a relatively recent addition to our repertoire and worked brilliantly as an exit piece, bringing a contemporary feel.

After the ceremony, guests stayed around for the drinks reception where the playlist became even more varied. Requests included music from Disney films, songs from Moana, selections from The Greatest Showman and a range of modern pop arrangements. One of the advantages of live strings is being able to move comfortably between very different styles of music while maintaining a consistent sound throughout the event.

The afternoon involved a surprising number of different requests and plenty of quick changes between pieces. Our new iPads made that much easier than it would have been a few years ago. Having our library available on iPads meant transitions could happen almost instantly, allowing us to move from one request to the next without interrupting the flow of the reception.

The Tunbridge Wells Spa Hotel is always an enjoyable venue to perform at. The layout works particularly well for live music, allowing guests to enjoy the performance without it ever dominating conversations or becoming intrusive. During drinks receptions especially, a string quartet can help fill the space naturally while still allowing guests to relax and catch up with family and friends.

What stood out most about this wedding was the variety of our music repertoire. From Disney classics and film soundtracks to Olivia Dean and Randy Newman, every choice had clearly been selected because it meant something to the couple. Those are often the weddings that feel the most individual and enjoyable to perform.

If you’re planning a wedding in Kent and looking for live string music, Premiere String Quartet offers a range of ensemble options including our String Quartet, String Trio and String Duo. Whether you have a detailed playlist already in mind or need help choosing music for different parts of the day, we’re always happy to help create something that reflects your own style and preferences.