50 Best String Quartet Songs for Your Wedding

How to Choose String Quartet Songs for Your Wedding

Choosing your wedding music is one of the most personal decisions you’ll make during planning. The songs you select create the emotional backdrop for every moment — from the first glimpse of you walking down the aisle to the last dance of the night. A skilled string quartet can perform virtually anything from Bach to Beyoncé, so you’re not limited to classical music.

The best approach is to think about each distinct moment of your wedding separately: the processional, the ceremony itself, the recessional, cocktail hour, dinner, and any special dances. Each moment calls for a different energy and emotional tone. Use this guide as a starting point, then personalize based on songs that are meaningful to you and your partner.

At Cala Strings, we’ve performed thousands of weddings across South Florida and have curated this list from the songs our couples love most.

Best Processional Songs for String Quartet

The processional is the moment everyone has been waiting for. You want something that builds anticipation, feels grand but not overwhelming, and moves at a pace that lets you walk with intention.

“Canon in D” — Johann Pachelbel. The timeless classic for a reason. Its gentle build and repeating bass line create a perfect rhythmic pace for walking.
“A Thousand Years” — Christina Perri. One of the most requested processional songs of the last decade. The quartet arrangement is especially beautiful, with the cello carrying the melody.
“At Last” — Etta James. Soulful and romantic. Particularly powerful for afternoon and evening ceremonies.
“Clair de Lune” — Claude Debussy. Ethereal and unhurried. Works beautifully for smaller, intimate ceremonies.
“Marry You” — Bruno Mars. Joyful and upbeat if you want an energetic entrance rather than a slow, emotional one.
“Here Comes the Sun” — The Beatles. A beloved modern choice that radiates warmth and optimism.
“Air on the G String” — J.S. Bach. Stately and elegant. The long, sustained phrases give it a feeling of timeless dignity.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” — Harold Arlen. Dreamy and warm. Popular for outdoor ceremonies and destination weddings.
“Unconditionally” — Katy Perry. A contemporary pop choice that translates beautifully to strings.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Elvis Presley. Tender and universally recognized. A crowd-pleaser that never feels clichéd.

Ceremony & Interlude Songs

During the ceremony itself — while guests are being seated, during readings, or as ambient music between moments — you want something that feels present without demanding attention.

“Für Elise” — Ludwig van Beethoven. Light and lyrical. Perfect for pre-ceremony seating.
“Gymnopédie No. 1” — Erik Satie. Quietly contemplative. Sets a calm, present-moment tone.
“Romance” — Pablo de Sarasate. Intimate and expressive. Works beautifully as guests settle in.
“Ave Maria” — Franz Schubert. Reverential and moving, especially meaningful for religious ceremonies.
“Hallelujah” — Leonard Cohen. Transcendent when arranged for strings. A powerful choice for the ring exchange or sand ceremony.
“The Prayer” — David Foster. Rich and layered. The quartet arrangement fills a space with warmth and reverence.
“Bittersweet Symphony” — The Verve. Unexpected and memorable for modern couples who want something bold.
“Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” — Israel Kamakawiwoʻole medley. Joyful and breezy. Great for outdoor ceremonies with a relaxed feel.
“Somewhere” — West Side Story. Yearning and romantic. Particularly effective at small, emotional moments.
“Edelweiss” — Rodgers & Hammerstein. Gentle and nostalgic. Ideal for honoring family members or cultural traditions.

Best Recessional Songs for String Quartet

The recessional is pure celebration. You’ve just gotten married — the music should erupt with joy. Recessionals are meant to be upbeat, triumphant, and energizing.

“Ode to Joy” — Beethoven. Triumphant and universally joyful. One of the best recessionals ever written.
“All You Need Is Love” — The Beatles. Celebratory and crowd-participatory. Guests love singing along.
“Happy” — Pharrell Williams. Infectious and modern. Gets guests on their feet immediately.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” — Queen. Exuberant and fast-paced. For couples who want an unexpected, high-energy exit.
“I Gotta Feeling” — The Black Eyed Peas. Pure party energy. Signals immediately that it’s time to celebrate.
“Love on Top” — Beyoncé. Bright, horn-driven pop that translates magnificently to strings.
“Celebration” — Kool & the Gang. A classic feel-good recessional that gets every generation moving.
“Spring” from The Four Seasons — Vivaldi. For the couple who wants a classical but unmistakably joyful exit.
“Empire State of Mind” — Jay-Z & Alicia Keys. Big and cinematic. Great for couples with a New York connection or who just love the grandeur of it.
“Better Together” — Jack Johnson. Warm and laid-back. For couples going for a relaxed, beach-y celebration vibe.

Top Cocktail Hour Songs for String Quartet

Cocktail hour music should feel sophisticated and conversational — present enough to set the mood, not so loud or intense that it competes with conversation. This is where a string quartet truly shines.

“La Vie en Rose” — Édith Piaf. Quintessentially romantic. Sets a gorgeous Parisian tone.
“Fly Me to the Moon” — Frank Sinatra. Timeless and elegant. Universally beloved.
“Summertime” — George Gershwin. Languid and warm. Perfect for Florida outdoor cocktail hours.
“The Girl from Ipanema” — Antônio Carlos Jobim. Bossa nova cool. A perennial South Florida favorite.
“Isn’t She Lovely” — Stevie Wonder. Joyful and soulful. Great energy without being intrusive.
“Blue Bossa” — Kenny Dorham. Jazz sophistication. Pairs beautifully with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
“What a Wonderful World” — Louis Armstrong. Warm and optimistic. A universally pleasing backdrop.
“My Favorite Things” — Rodgers & Hammerstein. Light and playful. Works across all guest demographics.
“Autumn Leaves” — Joseph Kosma. Rich and nostalgic. Adds depth to fall and winter events.
“Misty” — Erroll Garner. Romantic and jazzy. A sophisticated choice that impresses music lovers.
“Besame Mucho” — Consuelo Velázquez. Sultry and Latin-inflected. Popular with South Florida’s diverse couples.
“Come Away with Me” — Norah Jones. Intimate and understated. Creates a hushed, romantic atmosphere.
“The Way You Look Tonight” — Jerome Kern. Classic American songbook elegance.
“Beyond the Sea” — Charles Trenet. Breezy and nautical. Perfect for waterfront venues.
“Moon River” — Henry Mancini. Wistful and cinematic. Feels like a movie moment.

Best First Dance & Special Dance Songs for String Quartet

The first dance is one of the most photographed and remembered moments of any wedding. The song you choose will follow you forever. A string quartet gives it weight, beauty, and an exclusivity you can’t get from a recording.

“Perfect” — Ed Sheeran. The most requested first dance song of the past five years. The string arrangement is stunning.
“All of Me” — John Legend. Intimate and honest. The simple melody translates beautifully to quartet.
“Thinking Out Loud” — Ed Sheeran. Romantic and timeless. One of the great modern love songs.
“At Last” — Etta James. Soul-stirring. A classic first dance that never goes out of style.
“Make You Feel My Love” — Bob Dylan/Adele. Tender and deeply personal. Beautiful when played softly behind the couple’s first moments.
“Endless Love” — Lionel Richie & Diana Ross. Lush and sweeping. Made for grand ballroom settings.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Elvis Presley. Sweet and unhurried. Works for virtually every couple.
“Your Song” — Elton John. Charming and conversational. Feels personal and unpretentious.
“Grow Old with Me” — Tom Odell. Contemporary and moving. A newer entry that resonates deeply.
“Turning Page” — Sleeping at Last. Cinematic and sweeping. The instrumental version is breathtaking on strings.

Tips for Choosing Your String Quartet Songs

Start with moments, not songs. Before you choose any song, write down what you want to feel during each moment of your wedding. Peaceful? Triumphant? Romantic? Playful? Then find songs that deliver that feeling.

Don’t feel limited to classical music. A great string quartet can play anything — pop, jazz, R&B, country, Broadway, film scores. Some of the most moving wedding moments happen when a quartet performs a beloved pop song with classical depth and elegance.

Think about your guests. Your wedding music should feel meaningful to you, but it should also create shared joy for your guests. A mix of romantic classics and familiar favorites tends to land best across all ages.

Consider the flow. You want your music to feel like a journey, not a shuffle playlist. Start the ceremony with calm, build to something grand for the processional, explode with joy at the recessional, then settle into warmth and elegance for cocktail hour.

Leave room for surprises. Ask your ensemble to recommend songs you might not have considered. Professional musicians often know hidden gems that are perfectly suited to your style and that your guests won’t have heard a hundred times before.

Custom Arrangements: Making Any Song Work for String Quartet

One of the most powerful things about booking a professional string ensemble like Cala Strings is the ability to have any song arranged for your specific ensemble. If there’s a song that’s deeply meaningful to you — one you danced to on your first date, the song that was playing when you got engaged, or a family song passed down through generations — we can make it happen.

Custom arrangements typically take 2-4 weeks and cost $75-$150 per song, depending on complexity. We’ll create a professional arrangement for your ensemble size (solo, duo, trio, or quartet), rehearse it to performance standard, and deliver it as a signature moment of your wedding that no one else will have.

To request a custom arrangement, contact us at least 8 weeks before your event so we have ample time to prepare something truly special. Visit https://calastrings.com/contact/ to get started.