2025 Handbook

We look forward to having you perform with us. Please review our company policies and guidelines thoroughly.

Etiquette

Ariana Strings LLC is an award-winning music company and a leader in the industry. We are committed to providing extraordinary performances for weddings and events. We are dramatically different from all other ensembles because we are friendly, fun, and have the experience and chops to make our job look easy.

Each couple carefully chooses their vendor team, so it is our honor to be included in their wedding day. From the moment you step on site, you are part of a team that has the power to determine whether or not our couple’s wedding day is a success.

A New England wedding can cost anywhere between $50,000 - $1,000,000: These are high stakes, once-in-a-lifetime events and clients are often, understandably, stressed. Many times, the other vendors are overwhelmed by other pressing priorities. Please be patient, kind, and proactive to help make the day go smoothly.

From the moment we arrive, our behavior on site is subject to outside opinion and real repercussions. We have many online storefronts and win awards for glowing 5-star reviews. We have been placed on many preferred vendor lists and are trusted to provide stellar service. I always call the couple, the venue, and the wedding planner for feedback. If I receive disparaging feedback about a player, their future engagements are subject to cancellation.

Mission Statement

For Our Couples

It is our mission to provide a high quality, musical experience for all couples by bringing the concert stage to your wedding day. It is our core belief that all loving couples deserve to have musicians that are committed to excellence and who are dedicated to making their wedding dreams a reality.

For the Artists

It is our mission to support musicians by providing quality work that serves as a creative outlet which values and respects their time, talents, and commitment to their craft; and to provide an abundance of fulfilling work so they are able to continue to build a flourishing career in the arts industry.

For All

We believe all people deserve love and beautiful music. We do not accept or perpetrate discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Attire

Aesthetics are an huge aspect of our performance. We match the formality of the event: When you put your instrument down, it should look like you belong there. This is not the stuffy symphony environment, so feel free to style with trendy and fun pieces - anything that you'd be excited to wear to a formal event.

I always collect photos and, in some instances, photographers have been kind enough to take our headshots after the ceremony. Dress to impress.

Couples may inform me that the event is black tie or another theme, in which case I will update you in the confirmation email. I may provide dresses in various colors or ask if you have anything in your closet that fits a new theme, but we're often wearing concert black. If you are NOT comfortable wearing provided attire, please let me know as soon as possible and I will find a replacement for that event.

Not sure if your outfit will work? Please text/email me a photo. I will gladly help you.

Under 75 degrees or indoors: Concert black

For gentlemen and male-identifying musicians:

a black/dark grey suit paired with a white button-up shirt. If wearing a shirt, pair it with with a black tie
Black shoes with black dress socks

For ladies and female-identifying musicians:

A floor-length dress
A long jumpsuit
Long dress trousers or or floor-length skirt paired with a dressy top. Regarding sleeves: Wear the sleeves that flatter you best.
Blazers are good
Black heels, wedges, or dress flats. Do not wear thick black socks. Hosiery or skip it.

75 degrees - 85 degrees, outdoors: Summer concert black.

For the gentlemen and male-identifying musicians:

a black or dark grey suit / paired with black button-up shirt / a black tie. Suit Jacket optional.
a black long- or 3/4-sleeve shirt with black tie and black trousers
Black shoes with black dress socks.

For the ladies or female-identifying musicians:

Long dress trousers or or floor-length skirt paired with a dressy top
A long or ankle-cropped formal jumpsuit
Blazers are good
Regarding sleeves: Wear what flatters you best. Sleeveless is fine!
Long dress trousers or a mid-length skirt paired with a dressy top
Open toed dress sandals and wedges are totally fine.

85 degrees and up: Heat wave concert black.

For the gentlemen or male-identifying musicians:
A black or white 3/4 sleeve button up shirt with black trousers and black shoes.

For the ladies or female-identifying musicians: Black cocktail attire

If you're standing to perform (like a violin soloist), a midi or high-low skirt/dress is fine. If you're seated to perform, ensure that your hemline falls below the knee while seated.
A long or cropped formal jumpsuit
Regarding sleeves: Wear what flatters you best. Sleeveless is fine.
Open toed dress sandals and wedges are totally fine.

Hair, Makeup, Sunglasses, & Accessories

Hair tends to fly with the wind, so make sure you're comfortable and able to perform well. Feel free to wear sparkly hair clips, headbands, big dressy buns, etc. No scrunchies or claw clips.

Jewelry is always welcomed. Feel free to bust out your favorites that are too fancy for everyday.

No informal or sporty sunglasses. Examples to avoid include Aviators or Ray Bans.

Note: Polarized sunglasses can obscure the iPad screen/display.

Hair and makeup need to be on point at every event.

Equipment

As independent contractors, it is your responsibility to provide the following equipment. Bring your instrument as well as…

Music stand (Solid-backed only. No wire stands. I recommend Peak, which comes with a carrying case.)
iPad stand
Back-up equipment and tools for your instrument (ex: extra strings, peg dope)

Sometimes, you may need...

Sheet music clips. Clothes pins are NOT permitted. - Recommended.
A battery-powered stand light (Rarely needed, but useful for for indoor events where we read from books, not iPads.)

I have an outdoor cello which you are welcome to use for AS events. If I am not on site at the event, plan to pick it up and return it to my home within 24 hours of the event.

I highly recommend you invest in an outdoor instrument for our events. I have great connections for nice instruments, so reach out anytime.

I provide...

iPads with sheet music or books

All music is proprietary material purchased specifically and licensed for Ariana Strings exclusively. Players are not authorized to copy/sell/distribute/perform the sheet music. Air dropping from an Ariana Strings iPad to an outside iPad is not permitted.

Before the Wedding

Read the confirmation email and pay careful attention to…

Load-in Time & Call Time (Please be set up by call time, not arriving at this time)
Dress Code
Music Selections
- When music is provided, review it.
- If there is a song you don't know, simply listen to it online
Leave plenty of time for travel, accounting for holidays, beach/construction traffic, etc.
Make sure you have your instrument and equipment

At the Wedding

Check in with the music director upon arrival.

Despite hours of planning, we often arrive to find that our promised setup (chairs, tents, etc.) has been omitted. Please be patient and kind. Ariana Strings has a reputation for building strong relationships with other vendors, and step up to help however you can.

Support your team members. Lend a helping hand by distributing music, gig sheets, setting up chairs/stands, and storing away belongings.

We may be background music, but people pay close attention to us. We are a novelty! Mind the level of your voice and keep all chit-chat positive. No cursing, no politics, and no judgement.

If you need a refresher on a piece of music, request that we rehearse it in advance.

Please pay attention during the ceremony and smile, even if you think we are on the background. We're often photographed from all angles and in the couple's gallery.

Call times are always at least 45 minutes before the gig. Please be in your seat and set up on time. This allows us to plan and rehearse before the guests arrive.

Cases are to be stowed away so they are not seen by attendees and/or picked up in photos. No cases on the grass behind you; No water bottles by your chair. Phones, purses and extra equipment need to be stowed away. Have something you need to keep nearby? It can be kept safe by our music director. Be fully set up before you begin any rehearsal.

No cell phones. Photographers love taking photos of our sheet music, so phones cannot be on your stand. No texting during the event.

When playing both ceremony and cocktail hour, move quickly to start playing at the cocktail hour site. Our MD will help move stands and equipment.

Transition between songs quickly. Go in order of the set list provided.

Food & Drink

You may have water or soft drinks from the bar, but never alcohol.

Do not take any passed appetizers or food during the performance. When guests have all moved from cocktail hour to dinner, you may partake ONLY IF invited by the banquet manager, wedding planner, or client. Some caterers/planners are very touchy about this and there’s no way to know until we are there, as it varies from company to company.

Wrong Notes

Please do not beat yourself up for a wrong note! Do your best, bring your own interpretation to the music, and have a good time. This is our creative outlet and should be fun. We’re the ones who start the party: If we’re having fun, the guests will be too.

Weather & Safety Procedures

The client has signed a health and safety agreement, noting that they will not carry weapons/firearms, expose us to severe illness, or ask us to do anything illegal or unsafe. We have the right to end service coverage if this policy is violated. In case of violation, politely and discretely step away and speak directly to Ariana immediately.

Some couples (and their planners) choose to risk our weather policy and put us in the uncomfortable situation of having to remind them on the day. If this occurs, allow our music director to advocate for us. If a planner asks you to make an exception, be polite and direct them to our music director.

Rain: A tent or umbrella large enough to cover the ensemble must be provided, otherwise we need to move indoors. Rainy days are stressful for our couples, so be respectful and sensitive when this occurs.

If the temperature is below 59 or 95+, the ensemble has the contractual right to move indoors or to a temperature-controlled location in order to perform.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. If you have any questions, please email info@arianastrings.com