Bizarre Songs a Violinist Has Played at Irish Weddings

Deirdre O’Hare, the owner of the string ensemble D-Strings, has spent more than 15 years performing at weddings across Ireland, navigating the evolution of ceremony music from classical traditions to modern pop adaptations.

O’Hare began her professional journey in secondary school by busking on Grafton Street. This early experience led to small performance requests, which eventually transitioned into the wedding market.

While O’Hare studied classical music and the violin, she maintained a consistent interest in pop music, a duality that has defined the repertoire of D-Strings.

The Influence of Pop Culture on Wedding Music

The demand for string ensembles to perform contemporary hits saw a significant increase following the release of the Netflix series Bridgerton. The show popularized the concept of transforming modern songs by artists such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Ariana Grande into Regency-era string compositions.

O’Hare noted that this trend aligned with the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, restrictions prevented many couples from having singers at their weddings, leading a higher number of clients to choose string ensembles.

Bridgerton came out in COVID when people couldn’t have singers at weddings, so everybody went with strings. It really showcased what we were doing.

Deirdre O’Hare

Structuring the Wedding Score

Creating a musical score for a wedding involves more than just selecting a playlist; it requires structuring music to match the specific emotional beats of the day. O’Hare identifies several key moments that require careful musical consideration:

• The entrance song
• The walk down the aisle
• The drinks reception
• The first dance
• The walk back up the aisle

For the drinks reception, rehearsal dinners, or pre-wedding events, O’Hare focuses on the desired atmosphere and vibe rather than a rigid list of specific songs.

The walk down the aisle is treated with more technical precision. O’Hare considers the number of bridesmaids and whether the couple desires a big swell of music to synchronize with the bride’s entrance.

According to O’Hare, the cocktail hour and the ceremony do not always require a specific, predefined playlist to be successful, as the focus remains on the overall feeling and structure of the music.