Manor House Music String Quartet Weblog

String duo for a wedding at Roxwell, Essex

On Saturday, we performed as a violin and viola string duo for a wedding held at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Roxwell, Essex. We entertained the guests before playing Pachelbel’s Canon for the Bridal Entrance and later playing during the signing of the register and the exit of the married couple. [...]

Bedfordshire Wedding – String Duo at Moggerhanger Park

On Saturday, Ali and myself performed as a string duo (consisting of a violin and cello) for a wedding held at Moggerhanger Park in North Bedfordshire.  Although many couples opt for the larger sound of a wedding string quartet, often a string duo can be a more appropriate option for intimate weddings with fewer guests [...]

Wedding at Botleys Mansion in Surrey

On Saturday, Nancy (viola) and myself on violin played for a wedding held at Botleys Mansion which is situated near Chertsey in Surrey. The string duo was perfectly suited to this occasion as the number of guests all but filled the ceremony room and it may have been a very tight squeeze for a string [...]

Wedding at St Mary’s Church, Beaconsfield

On Saturday, we performed as a string duo for a wedding held in St Mary’s Church, in the Old Town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. We were situated to the right hand side of the altar and provided half an hour of music as guests arrived. We then played Pachelbel’s Canon in D to accompany the bridesmaid’s and bridal [...]

Wedding at Coworth Park Hotel, Berkshire

On Friday, Adrian and I performed as a string duo for a wedding held at St Mary’s Church, Winkfield near Ascot in Berkshire. The reception was held at the nearby Coworth Park Hotel. Although it’s always a real bonus to have a sunny day for a wedding, hot sunlight can damage or warp stringed instruments and [...]

String Duo for a Wedding at Cooling Castle, Kent

Although Cooling Castle is not on our doorstep, it was a real pleasure to be asked to play for a wedding there on Saturday. Ali (cellist) and myself provided a string duo for the ceremony and drinks reception and as the groom is a rugby player, we were asked to play ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Swing Low [...]

String Duo for a Wedding at Hitchin Priory, Hertfordshire

Hitchin Priory is located in the centre of Hitchin, Hertfordshire and comprises of impressive Georgian buildings with a generous lawn at the back. As this was another wedding for a string duo, we set up quickly outside in a courtyard so that we could entertain guests during the reception drinks. This was an occasion where [...]

String Duo for a Wedding at Newland Hall

This Saturday we returned once again to Newland Hall to provide a string duo for a wedding service and reception – we have played here many times and although we are not strictly an Essex String Quartet, it is a relatively easy journey to the venue. We entertained guests for an hour before the ceremony [...]

Wedding at the Swiss Gardens

On Friday we returned once more to the Swiss Gardens at Old Warden in Bedfordshire to play for a wedding. Whereas our concert in June was for a full string quartet, this time we played as a string duo. In many ways, the little rustic cottage on the hill where the weddings take place is [...]