Meet the Professional Musicians of The Fern Quartet

The Fern Quartet is made up of four professional musicians who perform at luxury weddings, private events and corporate functions throughout Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond. Each member has extensive experience performing with professional orchestras, theatre productions, recording sessions and chamber ensembles, bringing a wealth of musical expertise to every wedding.

Whether we're performing an elegant classical ceremony, a Bridgerton-inspired wedding or modern pop favourites by Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, our musicians combine technical excellence with a warm, friendly approach that helps create unforgettable moments for our couples.

The Fern String Quartet

  • Three women playing violins in a casual indoor setting.

    Alison - Lead Violin

    Alison graduated from the University of Surrey with a BMus (Hons) degree, where she was awarded the Robert Naylor Memorial Prize for Performance. She continued her studies as a postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music before pursuing a freelance career, working with professional orchestras including the English National Ballet, the English Symphony Orchestra, and the National Festival Orchestra.

    Alison is highly in demand as both a teacher and performer, appearing as a soloist and as a regular leader for local shows. In her spare time, she enjoys hill walking with her husband, two sons, and cocker spaniel.

    What Alison brings to your wedding

    As our first violinist, Alison leads the quartet with confidence and musical flair, ensuring every performance is polished, expressive and perfectly suited to your chosen moment. Her experience helps keep the ensemble together seamlessly, allowing you and your guests to simply enjoy the music while creating an elegant atmosphere throughout your wedding day.

  • Three women playing violins in a room with warm lighting and gold curtains.

    Alex - Violin

    Alex is a first-study violinist with a degree in Music from the University of Manchester. She performs with a range of ensembles and orchestras, including the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, where she is Deputy Leader, and the Orchestra of Square Chapel.

    She also teaches violin privately and is the Upper Strings Teacher for Musica Mirfield.

    What Alex Brings to Your Wedding

    As our second violinist, Alex brings warmth, balance and depth to the quartet's sound. Working closely with our first violinist, she weaves together the harmonies that give our performances their rich, full character. Her experienced and sensitive playing ensures every piece flows effortlessly, creating the elegant soundtrack that makes your wedding ceremony and celebrations so memorable.

  • Young woman playing the violin in a music classroom, with sheet music on a stand in front of her.

    Natalie - Viola

    Born in London and raised in Sussex, Natalie moved to Sheffield in 2002 to study music. She has since established a career in South Yorkshire as both a teacher and performer, playing with quartets and orchestras across a wide range of genres, from Bach to Gilbert and Sullivan.

    She has also performed contemporary works in collaboration with Platform 4 and has a particular passion for chamber music.

    What Natalie Brings to Your Wedding:

    Natalie’s rich viola sound adds warmth and depth to our performances, creating the full, balanced sound that makes a live string quartet so special. Her calm, professional approach and years of ensemble experience help ensure every piece is performed beautifully, whether you're walking down the aisle or celebrating with guests during your drinks reception.

    Favourite wedding piece to perform: Rather Be

    Favourite Venue: Whirlow Brook Hall

  • A woman with short brown hair, glasses, and a white blouse playing the violin in a church with a colorful stained glass window in the background.

    Fionnuala - Cello

    Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Fionnuala graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a BA (Hons) in Design. Alongside her studies, she pursued the cello, performing with a range of orchestras and ensembles, most recently the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.

    She is a private strings tutor, specialising in teaching students on the neurodivergent spectrum. Fionnuala regularly performs as a soloist and is in demand as a recording artist, having worked most recently with ITV Studios.

    What Fionnuala brings to your wedding:

    From your first enquiry through to the final note on your wedding day, Fionnuala is your main point of contact. She'll help you choose the perfect music, answer any questions and work closely with your venue and registrar to ensure everything runs smoothly. On the day itself, she discreetly coordinates the quartet so you can relax, knowing the music will be perfectly timed for every important moment.

    Favourite wedding piece to perform: The Night We Met - Lord Huron

    Favourite venue: Kirkby Fleetham Estate

Where Our Musicians Have Performed

  • ITV recordings (Emmerdale)

  • English National Ballet

  • Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Orchestra of Square Chapel

  • Rotherham Symphony Orchestra

  • English Symphony Orchestra

  • National Festival Orchestra

  • Theatre productions in the UK and abroad

  • Recording sessions

  • Hundreds of wedding performances

FAQs about our musicians

Will the musicians on your website play at my wedding?

1

Our core quartet performs the vast majority of our weddings and events throughout the year. However, during particularly busy periods—especially the summer wedding season—or if one of our musicians is unavailable due to illness or other commitments, we may perform with one of our trusted deputy musicians.

We work with a small network of professional string players who regularly perform with us and share our high musical standards, ensuring every couple enjoys the same exceptional performance and experience.

What happens if one of the musicians is unavailable?

2

In the event that one of our core musicians is unavailable, we will arrange for one of our trusted deputy musicians to take their place. All of our deputies are experienced professionals who are personally known to us and regularly perform with The Fern Quartet, so you can be confident of the same high-quality performance.

Are all of your musicians professionally trained?

3

Yes. Every member of The Fern Quartet is a professionally trained musician with many years of performance experience. Although each musician has followed their own unique musical journey, all have studied to a professional standard and continue to perform regularly at weddings, concerts and other prestigious events.

Do your musicians perform with orchestras?

4

Yes. Alongside performing with The Fern Quartet, all of our musicians regularly play with local, regional and national orchestras, as well as chamber ensembles and other professional groups. This breadth of experience enables us to bring exceptional musicianship and ensemble playing to every wedding we perform.

Can we meet the quartet before booking?

5

Fionnuala will be delighted to chat with you before your wedding, answer any questions and help you choose the perfect music for your day. We also have a wide selection of performance videos on our website and YouTube channel, giving you the opportunity to see and hear The Fern Quartet before making your decision.