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String quartet performing for charity event at Dickinson mansion in Connecticut
Ariana Strings Quartet performing for The Prince of Ethiopia's charity event

I'm absolutely buzzing to share this incredible experience that our string quartet had last weekend at the historic Dickinson Mansion in Essex, Connecticut.


We serenaded another incredible luxury event this week with distinguished guests ranging from diplomats and politicians to royalty!


It was such a distinct honor to be chosen to perform for this charity event benefiting the Royal Ethiopian Trust. It was an evening filled with enchanting classical music, sweet people, and all for a fantastic cause.


The Royal Ethiopian Trust is dedicated to supporting education, healthcare, and cultural preservation initiatives in Ethiopia. From building schools for children to providing medical supplies, they've been making a real difference in the lives of countless people. It's heartwarming to see the impact they've had and continue to have.


Even more of an honor was that this was a repeat booking from the event sponsors (the same folks who booked us for the Queen of England's Diamond Jubilee Event!) When clients choose to include our musicians time and time again, it feels like we're doing something right! For our first event together, I created a bespoke string orchestra at the Wadsworth Mansion for the British Consulate. Check it out here.


String quartet performing at Dickinson Mansion in Essex, Connecticut
Credit: Colleen Anne Leenehan Photography

string quartet performing at charity event at Dickinson mansion in Essex, Connecticut
Ariana Strings Quartet performing waltzes and tangos at The Dickinson Mansion, Essex, CT

For this charity event, we treated the guests to classical favorites: from Strauss Waltzes to sultry tangos and a little bit of opera for good measure! The crowd was filled with classical music enthusiasts who were most appreciative. There's just something incredible about seeing people come together, enjoying music, and supporting a good cause.


You'll notice that we've expanded our concert wardrobe to include formalwear. For this evening, we donned gold sequin ballgowns and formal black tuxedos. We have a lot of fun getting our glam on and know how much of an impact it has when we set the scene and match the overall elegance of these luxury events.


As classical musicians for luxury events, we thrive on moments like these. It's not just about playing music; it's about creating memorable experiences that resonate with people long after the final notes fade away. And being able to do that while contributing to something as meaningful as the Royal Ethiopian Trust's mission? Well, that's what makes it all worthwhile.


See more of this wonderful evening as captured by our dear friend and wonderfully talented colleague, Colleen Anne Leenehan Photography, below.








Updated: Feb 25, 2022

Our wedding season is off to a busy start with absolutely beautiful celebrations that I just had to share!


If this is any indication of what our 2022 is going to be like, I'm all for it! Super sweet couples, kind and professional vendor teams, and wonderful memories - Sign me up!


The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway


We thought postponements would be left behind in 2020 and 2021, but our first wedding of the season needed a last-minute postponement!


This season is already off to a wild start! When a blizzard decided to change our bride and groom's plans, we (along with an incredible vendor team lead by Carisa of Pink Olive Events) acted fast to move the wedding to the following day, right out of the storm's path. This is a wedding we'll never forget especially because of the unique venue: The New England Carousel Museum.


Our string quartet performed all the couple's requests, including music from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, classical wedding music (Wagner's Bridal March is an oldie but a goodie!), modern pop hits like Sia's Titanium, Foo Fighters, even an ABBA Medley with Dancing Queen.


We were so thrilled that Joe of JHumphries Photography captured us performing and shared them with us! Check out his beautiful work below.






Vendor team's Instagrams tagged below

Lead Photographer: @JHumphriesPhotography

2nd Photographer - @emilyswiftstudios

Hair & Makeup - @lapagemakeupofficial

Tuxedo - Zaccariellos

DJ/Officiant - @digitaltracksdj

Wedding Planner - @pinkoliveevents

Videographer - @rivideopro

String Quartet - @ariana_strings



To Make You Feel My Love


When Mariana and Geoff reached out last minute for their February wedding, we hit it off right away!


Mariana and Geoff wanted to honor the blending of their two families' cultures with their music and included a beautiful custom string trio arrangement of Testimonio by Luis Guerra. I loved how they took a classic church ceremony and brought in their favorite music to create a totally unique and elegant atmosphere. They included these favorites from our string trio library:



Linger - The Cranberries

Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

I Wanna Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

A Million Dreams - The Greatest Showman

Turning Page - Sleeping at Last (from Twilight)




Photo credit: Suxiao Yang


I was so happy that I squealed when I saw Cait Fletcher Photography (and maybe startled some of their guests!) , but I knew she would capture their wedding day so beautifully. Check out her incredible work:



Cait Fletcher Photography

Cait Fletcher Photography

Cait Fletcher Photography

Cait Fletcher Photography

Cait Fletcher Photography



If this is what 2022 is going to be like, I'm all for it! Super sweet couples, kind and professional vendor teams, and wonderful memories - Sign me up!



When it rains, it pours, and today we have an absolute deluge of brand new music! All of these songs are for the string quartet, our most versatile ensemble that is perfect for events of all sizes. When you see this list, you'll see just how incredibly unique it is!

Must-Haves for the Modern Bride

Modern Pop

Electric Love - Børns

Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles

Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo

Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi

You Are the Reason - Callum Scott

Titaniam - Sia

Sweet Dreams - The Eurythmics

Rather Be by Clean Bandit

Believer - Imagine Dragons

Credit: Elizabeth Grant Photography

River Flows in You - Yiruma

Photograph - Ed Sheeran

Take Me to Church - Hozier

Havana - Camila Cabello


Throwbacks

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

That’s Amore - Dean Martin

Fly Me To the Moon - Frank Sinatra

I Have Nothing - Whitney Houston

The Winner Takes it All - ABBA

Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

Octopus’s Garden - The Beatles

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got that Swing) - Duke Ellington

Livin on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Take on Me - A Ha


Musicals

Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific

Credit: Koko Floral Design

I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables

The Winner Takes it All - ABBA (You could say from Mamma Mia!)

I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady

This is where it gets a little wild! While I doubt "Ducktales" would be incorporated into anyone's walk down the aisle, I couldn't NOT add this to the library. After all, you never know!


Movies & TV

Ducktales Theme

Good Omens Title theme

Pride and Prejudice 1995 Theme

Ninetendo Medley

The Lion King Medley

Theme from Inspector Gadget

Wonder Woman Theme

From Disney’s Mary Poppins “A Spoonful of Sugar”

Suite from Aladdin

From Disney’s Lady and the Tramp “Bella Notte”

Let it Go from Frozen

From Disney’s The Little Mermaid “Under the Sea”

Potter Waltz from Harry Potter

Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

El Tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge


TikTok / Video Games / Random

Mii Channel Rumba

Pizzicato Polka

Rasputin

Holiday

Mele Kalikimaka

The Star Spangled Banner

Classical

Danse Macabre - Saint Saens

Marriage of Figaro (Overture)


As of today, these have NOT been added to the main string quartet library. I have a ton of typing to do! Even still, go check out the rest of the library by clicking here.


Images from today's blog post came from an incredibly chic, modern wedding. Vendor team with Instagram handles below. Check them out!


Wedding Planner/Designer : Creative Concepts by Lisa @ccblct

Wadsworth Mansion

Ct Wedding Group @ctweddinggroup

Christie Lawlor @christiejusticeofthepeace

KOKO Floral @kokofloraldesign

Elizabeth Grant Photography @elizabethgrantphotography

J-Cakes @jcakesct

Kurt Garceau @kurtgarceauphoto

Vivid Events @vividevent

Ariana Strings @ariana_strings

That’s Entertainment @tenewyork

Hilton Garden Inn Wallingford

Majestic Limo

Specialty Transportation

Majesty Bridal @majestybridal

Julianne Bridal @julieallenbridal

Suit Supply @suitsupply

Minted @minted @mintedweddings

Formal Indulgence @formal_indulgence

Chase Canopy @chasecanopy

Salon Naomi @salonnaomi

Brush of Beauty

calligraphy and signage by Nob Hill Jane @nobhilljane

specialty linens by BBJ @bbjlinen


© 2023 - 2025 by Ariana Strings LLC

Ariana Strings provides classical wedding musicians in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York through string and piano ensembles that add a dash of sophistication to your celebration. 

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