Sínann Fetherston speaks with violinist Deirdre O’Hare about the most popular – and most unusual – songs she has played at Irish weddings.
“I studied violin and classical music, but I always had an interest in pop,” says Deirdre O’Hare, owner of D-Strings, a string ensemble known for playing weddings across Ireland.
“We began when we were in secondary school, busking on Grafton Street, and then people would have asked us to do little things, and then weddings, and it went from there.”
Now over 15 years in the business, Deirdre says she still loves to experiment with different genres – a trend that became all the more popular thanks to Netflix hit, Bridgerton, which turned the work of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift into Regency-era bops.
“It worked well for us,” she confirmed. “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.”
When it comes to creating a score for a wedding, O’Hare explains that there are some key notes to be hit throughout the day.
As well as the all-important first dance, couples should consider their entrance song, drinks reception, walking down the aisle, and back up.
“For the drinks reception, it’s more about the vibe you want to create,” she explains. “Same if we’re doing the day two or the pre-wedding event, or rehearsal dinner, or whatever else. It’s about the atmosphere you’re trying to create rather than specific songs.”
“You’re thinking about the feeling you want walking up the aisle,” she continues. “It’s about us structuring the music towards that. How many bridesmaids are there? Do you want a big swell of music to time with the bride walking in?”
For the most part, O’Hare says that the ceremony and cocktail hour won’t necessarily need a specific playlist of songs to work. The idea is to let the professionals guide your guests through the day.
If there are specific pieces you want included, keep in mind that they may need to be cut short to match the timings of the ceremony.
“People often think about communion [in church weddings], but I think the most important is nearly the offertory because everybody is sitting and there’s nothing else going on, but during communion everyone is looking at the style!”
Over the years, D-Strings has added every type of song to their repertoire, with some couples opting for the classic hits, and others submitting very unusual requests: “We’ve had some bizarre ones,” she laughs.
While ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ remains a popular first dance, Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’, Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, and the Bridgerton version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Wildest Dreams’ are part and parcel of walking up the aisle.
Some of the more unique choices, though, have ranged from a 1994 Pearl Jam hit to the theme tune of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.
“We had Pearl Jam’s ‘Better Man’ for somebody walking up the aisle,” Deirdre recounts. “The lyrics are like, ‘she lies and pretends she’s in love with him because she can’t find a better man’.”
“It’s lovely though,” she insists. “If it’s important to them, there’s ways around it. The Pearl Jam song was done in a church while she walked up the aisle, but it was done with strings, and we slowed it down, and took the lyrics out of it so the vocalist just came in for the other songs.”
Suffice to say, Deirdre isn’t scared of a musical challenge and says that she loves to discover hidden gems from unlikely places.
“We like to have new takes on songs that everybody knows,” she says. “‘Sweet Child of Mine’ slowed down is actually so nice for a church!”
Although adjustments can be made, Deirdre encourages couples to read up on the lyrics of their favourite Adele song because it’s most likely about a break-up rather than a long-lasting love.
‘Runaway’ by The Corrs has the opposite problem, she notes: “People laugh when they hear it at a wedding, but it’s run away with you!”
For more information on D-Strings, visit their website here.