People go to extraordinary lengths to coordinate every detail of their weddings, but then rely on CD compilations that mix orchestral pieces, piano works, songs, and so on -- not only pointing out to one and all that there were no live musicians but also just plain breaking the mood. If you have a live string quartet in place you have nothing to worry about, but the next best thing may be this two-disc set by the
Lumiere String Quartet, featuring all kinds of wedding standards reduced to string quartet arrangements. The personal image is reinforced by the booklet photo of this youthful American quartet (whose previous credits include the similarly domestic Baby Got Bach) performing on a brick patio. Some pieces aren't so well known for this purpose (such as what is presented as "Claire de Lune" -- she's quite a gal!). And there are a few distinct oddities, like a De Beers Diamond commerical scored by British composer
Karl Jenkins (maybe it's an Anglo thing). For the most part, however, you can program the tracks into your CD player in the order you want, let 'er rip, and get pronounced 99-to-life. The two CDs are handily divided into Prelude & Meditation Music (CD 1) and Processional & Recessional Music (CD 2), with the "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" being a piece that could serve at various points in the ceremony. (The famous Mendelssohn and Wagner wedding marches are both included on the second disc.) If you're wondering how the Trumpet Tune of Purcell can be played on a string quartet, know that a trumpet (and in a few cases, a flute and violin) are added to the basic quartet where necessary; this is done unobtrusively balance-wise, and with 35 selections in all this may take care of all the musical needs for your ceremony. Buy with confidence, and enjoy the big day!