Bridgerton has safely cemented itself as an international phenomenon – a sensational hit, with its latest season taking the No. 10 spot on the list of Netflix’s most-watched English-language shows. The series, based on Julia Quinn’s novels, offers a captivating mix of romance, drama, and intrigue set in the Regency era. Combining historical settings with modern sensibilities, it features a diverse cast, which is relatively uncommon for period dramas. This inclusivity has been praised for breaking traditional norms and providing broader representation, as well as makes the show relatable and compelling. The show is known for its lavish costumes, grand sets, beautiful cinematography, and sweeping soundtrack. The inclusion of modern music covered in a classical style and contemporary dialogue elements within a historical setting creates a unique and appealing blend.
The show’s soundtrack sets the tone for the show and its somewhat idealized or fictionalized universe, which is what paves the way beautifully for the anachronistic string and orchestral covers of songs by pop stars the likes of Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and, recently and quite memorably, Pitbull. After the release of each season, the covers used in the episodes see a jump in popularity on TikTok and Instagram, not to mention streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. And just how dramatic is this jump? Take the Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ), who perform many of the show’s tracks. The group saw a massive and almost unprecedented surge in popularity in 2020 after “Bridgerton” first debuted. Prior to the show’s premiere, their total fortnightly streams were at 3.8m, but after the release, that number jumped by 350%.
Now why spend all this time on facts and figures? Because we wanted you to know exactly what we were talking about when we told you that adding a strings trio to your ceremony is one of the best choices you can make – Bridgerton just proves our point for us! You picked Around Town for our award-winning musicians, and we can guarantee that adding our strings instrumentalists to your ceremony is the perfect choice. In just a moment, we’ll dig into some of our favorite suggestions for strings arrangements for your big day, but first, we’ll fill in some of the other reasons that strings are unbeatable in a wedding ceremony.
First of all, the combination of violin, viola, and cello produces a rich, warm, and sophisticated sound that enhances the romantic and celebratory atmosphere of a wedding. The sound is intimate and can fill a space without being overwhelming, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. String instruments also do not require amplification in the majority of settings, which can simplify logistics and create a more natural, acoustically pleasing experience. Finally, music played by a trio has a timeless quality, appealing to a wide range of tastes and ages, making it not only a safe and classic choice for weddings, but one that can create a sweepingly romantic ambience while remaining intimate in nature.
Now, we come to the best part: what are some of our favorite songs for string trios, either from Bridgerton or elsewhere, that we know will be perfect for the best part of your day. Let’s start with ones from Bridgerton! (We should note that the suggestions below are not a comprehensive list of the various instrumental covers of pop songs used throughout the show; you can view a full list here.)
Our Favorite Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding Songs for Ceremony
“Wildest Dreams” – Taylor Swift, covered by Duomo
Daphne and the Duke begin their married life in Season One, Episode Six to this stunning song, filled with a beautiful push and pull of the strings. The rendition is dynamic but tender, full of anticipation, rising and falling beautifully to evoke feelings of joy and longing. The fact that it also happens to originally be a Taylor Swift bop just makes it a great way to score bonus points with your fianceé, gentlemen!
“What About Us” – P!nk, covered by Duomo
This beautiful instrumental cover of P!nk’s iconic ballad plays in Season Two, Episode Six, as Kate and Anthony are tricked into meeting in the chapel after Edwina flees from the altar, realizing the two have feelings for one another before they will even admit it to each other. This song underscores the moment the two are forced to come to terms with how they feel about one another, and it’s dramatic chords are perfect for the couple who lives for a bit of intensity.
“If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys, performed by Vitamin String Quartet or Queen Charlotte’s Global Orchestra
This stunning arrangement of the Alicia Keys power ballad serves as the underscore for the first dance King George and Queen Charlotte ever share together, in public, at Lady Danbury’s first ball of the season. The moment is something that feels hard-won, triumphant, and yet tender as two people make compromises to make one another happy and their marriage stronger. This is a perfect song for couples who know that strong marriages are built on compromise, and the strings really bring that home with the song’s darker cello line and soaring violin part.
“Give Me Everything” – Pitbull, covered by Archer Marsh
…if you or your partner watches Bridgerton in any capacity and didn’t live under a rock this year, you’ll know that this song is a rather… climactic moment in Season Three, Episode Four. No one ever expected a Pitbull song to serve as the underscore for one of the most rewatched scenes in Netflix history, but here we are! Surprisingly, this song brings the heat as a strings piece! With a beautiful melodic tension that builds into broader, more sweeping chords, this song is perfect for the couple that had a longer journey to the altar – but knows they’re marrying their best friend.
