Scored for Strings: The Cocktail Hour

Effortless elegance. Seamless flow.

Cocktail hour is where the atmosphere begins to unfold. Live string music adds warmth, movement, and quiet sophistication while allowing conversation and celebration to flow naturally.

Parkwest Strings provides luxury live string music for wedding cocktail hours, corporate receptions, and private events throughout Chicago and the North Shore. Our string quartet, trio, and duo performances blend classical favorites, cinematic themes, and modern songs reimagined for strings with refinement and balance.

Ensemble Options

String Duo • String Trio • String Quartet • String Quintet

Each ensemble offers a distinct presence, scaled to your space and vision. We’re happy to guide you toward the option that feels right for your guest count, venue, and overall flow.

Repertoire

Popular choices include:

  • Modern love songs reimagined for strings
  • Romantic classics and light classical works
  • Film and cinematic selections with warmth and clarity
  • Elegant pop and crossover favorites guests recognize instantly

Professional Sound

We coordinate closely with planners, venues, and DJs to ensure timing, volume, and placement feel natural. From entrances to toasts to transitions between moments, everything is handled with discretion and care.

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

Featured Selections Included:

Spring — Antonio Vivaldi
Air on the G String — Johann Sebastian Bach
Ave Maria — Franz Schubert
Flower Duet — Léo Delibes
Clair de Lune — Claude Debussy
Meditation from Thaïs — Jules Massenet
Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel
Largo from Winter — Antonio Vivaldi
Salut d’Amour — Edward Elgar
Intermezzo — Pietro Mascagni
Ode to Joy — Ludwig van Beethoven

Parkwest Strings was absolutely incredible! They were so easy to work with, took all of my song recommendations, and executed our ceremony music perfectly. During cocktail hour, their beautiful playing created such a dreamy atmosphere and we received so many compliments from our guests. They truly made our wedding feel magical, and I couldn’t recommend them more highly!” - Emma

The Armour House Lake Forest Academy - Cocktail Hour Music

Featured Selections Included:

Opera & Romantic Classics

  • Flower Duet
  • Liebestraum No. 3
  • Ave Maria
  • Meditation
  • Habanera
  • Winter
  • Canon in D
  • Waltz of the Flowers
  • The Swan

Timeless Standards

  • Fly Me to the Moon
  • Moon River

Chicago Winery Wedding Cocktail Hour

Featured Selections Included:

  • Love StoryTaylor Swift
  • Viva La Vida – Coldplay
  • Over the Rainbow – Harold Arlen
  • Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun
  • Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
  • La Vie En Rose – Édith Piaf
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
  • Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
  • Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
  • So This Is LoveCinderella
  • Bridgerton Theme – Kris Bowers
  • Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
  • Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
  • Stop and Stare – OneRepublic

Bridgeport Art Center Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

The Rookery Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

Salvage One Cocktail Hour Music

Fairlie Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

Explore Our Repertoire