A Whistle Barns Wedding with Live Strings | Alex & Katie

There is something particularly exciting about arriving at a venue that has been designed entirely around weddings, and today we had the pleasure of providing the ceremony music for Alex and Katie's wedding at Whistle Barns in Shipley, Derbyshire.

Whistle Barns is a dedicated wedding venue where couples can bring their whole celebration together in one place. With exclusive use and spaces designed to take guests naturally from the ceremony through to the rest of the celebrations, it is a particularly appealing choice for couples looking for a stylish, contemporary wedding without having to move guests between different locations.

For today's ceremony, The Fern Quartet performed as a string trio, demonstrating that live string music doesn't necessarily mean booking a traditional four-piece quartet.

A String Trio at Whistle Barns

One of the advantages of live string music is its flexibility.

While our full string quartet remains our signature ensemble, we can also perform as a string trio, as we did for Alex and Katie today. A trio still creates that wonderful richness of live strings while offering couples another option when planning their ceremony.

Whistle Barns provides a particularly lovely backdrop for live acoustic instruments. As guests arrived and took their seats, the sound of strings helped transform the ceremony space from simply a beautiful room into somewhere that felt ready for a wedding.

And then came the groom...

Waiting for the Bride: Wildest Dreams

There is always a wonderful moment immediately before a wedding ceremony begins when almost everyone is seated, conversations quieten and all eyes gradually turn towards the front.

For Alex, that moment was accompanied by Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift.

We played as the groom waited nervously for his bride to arrive – a lovely example of how a favourite contemporary song can work beautifully when reimagined for strings.

An Unusual but Beautiful Bridal Entrance

For her entrance, Katie chose Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey.

It isn't one of the most obvious choices for walking down the aisle, and that's precisely why we loved it.

Played by live strings, the song has an elegant, almost cinematic quality which made it a beautiful choice for the bridal entrance.

Your wedding music doesn't have to come from a traditional list of "wedding songs". Some of the most memorable ceremonies we perform at are those where couples choose music that genuinely means something to them.

Music for the Signing of the Register

After Alex and Katie had exchanged their vows, we performed two contrasting modern pieces during the signing of the register:

Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

and

So Easy (To Fall in Love) – Olivia Dean

The signing is a lovely opportunity to include two or three pieces that might not naturally fit elsewhere in the ceremony. It also avoids what can otherwise become a quiet pause for guests while the formalities are completed.

Live strings provide a gentle soundtrack without taking attention away from the couple.

And Finally... Rather Be

With the formal part of the ceremony complete, it was time for something much more celebratory.

Alex and Katie made their first exit as newlyweds to Rather Be by Clean Bandit.

We always recommend choosing something upbeat for the wedding exit. The atmosphere changes completely at this point: the nerves have disappeared, everyone is smiling and applauding, and the couple can finally relax.

Rather Be was a brilliant choice to mark that moment.

Congratulations, Alex and Katie – and thank you for inviting us to provide the soundtrack to such an important part of your day.

Why Live Strings Work So Well at Whistle Barns

For couples considering their own Whistle Barns wedding, live strings work particularly well because the venue has been created specifically around the flow of a wedding day.

The Ceremony Barn is a distinctive space, with a vaulted ceiling, statement staircase and plenty of natural light. After the ceremony, guests can move on to the courtyard and other areas of the venue without needing to travel elsewhere. Whistle Barns also offers exclusive use, allowing the whole celebration to take place in one location.

For musicians, that creates plenty of possibilities. You might choose strings purely for the ceremony, as Alex and Katie did, or incorporate live music into other parts of your day.

And you don't necessarily need a full quartet.

Depending on your plans, space and budget, The Fern Quartet can provide different string ensemble options, allowing us to find the right combination for your wedding.

The Team Behind Alex & Katie's Whistle Barns Wedding

One of the lovely things about working at weddings is seeing all the different suppliers come together to create something completely unique for each couple. Alongside our live ceremony music, Alex and Katie had a brilliant team helping to bring their Whistle Barns wedding to life.

The beautiful styling was created by Olive Lane Weddings & Events, while ByBBridal was there capturing those wonderful behind-the-scenes moments and little details that can so easily pass by in the excitement of the day.

We also had the pleasure of working alongside Emma B Photography, capturing the day with her timeless and romantic style.

It is always lovely working alongside other wedding professionals – particularly at a venue like Whistle Barns, where everything comes together under one roof.

Alex & Katie's Wedding Suppliers

Venue:Whistle Barns, Derbyshire
Wedding Styling:Olive Lane Weddings & Events
Wedding Content Creator:ByBBridal
Wedding Photographer:Emma B Photography
Ceremony Music:The Fern Quartet – String Trio

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Strings at Whistle Barns

• Can you perform just for our wedding ceremony at Whistle Barns?

  Yes. Alex and Katie booked us specifically for their ceremony. We can provide music as guests arrive and for the important musical moments within the ceremony itself.
  We can also play for your drinks reception if you would like the music entertainment to continue after the ceremony. You can view our full packages and pricing here.

• Do we have to book a full string quartet?

  No. Although our full quartet is our principal ensemble, we can also perform in smaller combinations where appropriate. Alex and Katie's Whistle Barns ceremony was performed by a string trio.

• What parts of the ceremony can you play for?

  Typically, live strings can accompany guests as they arrive, the groom's final piece before the ceremony, the bridal entrance, signing of the register and the newlyweds' exit. We can help you plan how your chosen pieces fit into the ceremony.

• Can we choose modern music?

  Absolutely. Today's programme included Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Snow Patrol, Olivia Dean and Clean Bandit. Modern songs can sound completely different when performed by live strings and are often some of our favourite arrangements to play.

• Can we choose an unusual song for walking down the aisle?

  Yes. You don't need to choose Canon in D simply because you're getting married! Katie's choice of Young and Beautiful is a perfect example of a less conventional song creating a beautiful bridal entrance.

• Do you perform at other wedding venues in Derbyshire and the surrounding areas?

  Yes. The Fern Quartet travels throughout Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the surrounding regions for weddings. If you're unsure whether we cover your venue, please get in touch.

• Planning Your Own Whistle Barns Wedding?

  If you've booked Whistle Barns in Derbyshire and are considering live music for your ceremony, we'd love to hear what you're planning.

  Whether you imagine walking down the aisle to something classical, Taylor Swift, a favourite film soundtrack or a song nobody else would think of choosing, we can help you create a ceremony soundtrack that feels like yours.