Electric or acoustic violin for our wedding?
Both are beautiful. They just do different jobs, and the right one depends on the songs you love and where you're getting married.
Choose electric if you want songs your guests know, a full-band sound and music that carries outdoors. Choose acoustic strings if you want a purely classical, Bridgerton-style sound; for that, Jared will tell you a quartet is the better fit.
How they compare
| Electric violin (Extreme Strings) | Acoustic strings | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Live violin over full-band backing tracks | Unamplified strings |
| Outdoors | Plays through Jared's own speakers, on battery if needed | Can be hard to hear outdoors or over a crowd |
| Moving around | Wireless, so the violinist can walk among guests | Depends on the group |
| Best for | Pop, rock and movie songs, plus ceremony classics | A traditional classical or Bridgerton-style sound |
Why couples choose electric
Jared's short version: “It's an electric violin. It looks cool. It sounds cool. It's wireless. So I can be kind of interactive with your guests.” Being wireless also means there are no cables tripping people up.
The backing tracks are what make the difference for most couples. Canon in D and Ave Maria sit in the same song list as Viva La Vida, Espresso and Pink Pony Club, and every one of them sounds full. Many Colorado ceremonies are outdoors, where an amplified violin carries and an acoustic one can get lost.
Every Extreme Strings booking also comes with:
- Jared's own QSC sound system, set up and sound-checked before guests arrive
- Battery power for ceremony spots with no outlet
- A lapel mic for the officiant if your DJ isn't providing one
- Backup sound equipment and trusted substitute violinists
When acoustic is the better choice
If you're picturing a classical string arrangement in the Bridgerton style, Jared will say so honestly: “that style does not lend itself well to electric violin... you would probably want, like, a quartet.”
Some venues limit amplified music. At Sunrise Amphitheater in Boulder, couples have asked Jared to bring both options and switch to acoustic if a park ranger objected. Asked whether that has ever happened, he said: “Never.”
Hear the electric violin
What guests notice
★★★★★“I had them play before and during the ceremony and it was FANTASTIC. I received so many compliments on the music...it set the tone perfect - especially with the violin version of many modern pop songs that were recognizable yet sounded divine.”
★★★★★“What I like most about Extreme Strings is that the performance is so engaging, but being instrumental, you just find yourself singing and dancing along...realizing you know all of the songs even though there isn't a vocalist on stage.”
★★★★★“He was responsive, timely, and really brought our ceremony and first dance to the next level. The first thing our guests noticed was the nice touch the violin brought.”
Electric violin questions
Can you play classical pieces on electric violin?
Yes. The library includes ceremony classics like Pachelbel's Canon in D, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Schubert's Ave Maria.
Is the electric violin wireless?
Yes, so Jared can move among guests during cocktail hour without cables in the way.
Our venue limits amplified music. Can you still play?
Tell us when you inquire. Couples at Sunrise Amphitheater have had Jared bring an acoustic option as a backup.
Do you offer a string quartet?
No. Extreme Strings is a solo electric violinist. If a quartet suits your vision better, Jared will tell you.