Category Archives: Chicago Weddings

Chicago Wedding Band & String Quartet Win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (14th & 15th Year)


WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards for 2025 + 2026

That makes 14 + 15 years receiving this award — and it never stops meaning the world to us.

To our couples — thank you for trusting us and for your incredibly kind words.

To our musicians, vocalists, and crew — you already know… this is you.

All our love to all of you ️

chicagowedding chicagoweddingband weddingwire weddingwirecoupleschoice weddingawards

We’re incredibly honored to share that both Sarlas Music — Chicago’s home for high-energy wedding bands, jazz ensembles, and live event music — and Artistrings — a modern string ensemble collective — have once again been recognized with the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards, for the 14th + 15th year.

What makes this recognition so meaningful is where it comes from.

The Couples’ Choice Awards are based entirely on reviews from the people who matter most — our clients. The couples, families, and event hosts who trusted us with their live wedding music in Chicago and took the time to share their experience afterward.

Every packed dance floor. Every ceremony moment. Every transition that felt just right.

That’s what these awards represent.

Over the past 25+ years, we’ve had the privilege of performing at more than 2,000 weddings and events across Chicago and the Midwest — from elegant ceremonies with our string quartet in Chicago to high-energy receptions with our full Chicago wedding band.

And through all of it, our focus has stayed the same:
Create something personal. Keep it real. Deliver it live.

No backing tracks. No shortcuts. No second takes.

Just musicians who care deeply about getting it right — for you, your guests, and the energy of the entire day.

To everyone who has trusted us, supported us, and shared kind words along the way — thank you. This recognition belongs to you as much as it does to us.


If you’re planning a wedding or event and looking for live wedding music in Chicago — whether a Chicago wedding band or Chicago string quartet — we’d love to be part of it.

Chicago Wedding Band at Medinah Country Club Wedding | Live Dinner Music & Wedding Reception


How wonderful life is…
A favorite Elton John tune during dinner at Clair & Daniel’s reception

Venue: @medinahcountryclub 

chicagoentertainment chicagoweddingband chicagowedding medinahcountryclubwedding weddingreception

Some of the most memorable moments at a Chicago wedding don’t happen on the dance floor.

At Clair & Daniel’s Medinah Country Club wedding, it happened during dinner.

As guests settled in, the Carol Sarlas Orchestra shifted the energy of the room — not by turning it up, but by leaning into something more intimate.

A Moment Inside the Wedding Reception

Our vocalist Ryan stepped forward and delivered a stunning live performance of Elton John’s Your Song.

The room softened. Conversations paused. And for a few minutes, the entire wedding reception felt completely centered.

This is what elevated Chicago entertainment looks like — knowing when to bring energy, and when to create space for a moment that guests will actually feel.

Live Music That Shapes the Night

At a venue like Medinah Country Club, every detail matters. And for couples planning a Medinah Country Club wedding, live music during dinner can completely transform the flow of the evening.

Not just background music — but a live performance that adds depth, emotion, and intention to the experience.

That’s the difference a top-tier Chicago wedding band brings to a wedding reception:

  • Seamless transitions from cocktails to dinner to dancing
  • Live performances that enhance — not interrupt — the room
  • A level of musicianship that keeps guests engaged at every stage

Why Dinner Music Matters

The dance floor gets the attention.
But dinner is where the tone of the night is set.

And when it’s done right, it becomes one of the most unforgettable parts of the entire wedding.


If you’re planning a Chicago wedding or a Medinah Country Club wedding and want Chicago entertainment that shapes every moment — from dinner through the dance floor — we’d love to be part of it.

Chicago Wedding Band Brings the Dance Floor to Life at Michigan Shores Club


POV: The band tests the crowd… and they pass with flying colors 🤩

Venue: @michiganshoresclub
Planning: @bridget_mary_weddings
Band: @sarlasmusic Carol Sarlas Orchestra

chicagowedding chicagoweddingband weddinginspiration weddingreception weddingbandPOV: The band tests the crowd… and they pass with flying colors 🤩

Venue: Michigan Shores Club
Planning: Bridget Mary Weddings
Band: Carol Sarlas Orchestra

When the Dance Floor Catches the Twist: A Wedding Reception Moment at Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette

There’s something magical about a wedding reception when the music and the crowd are completely in sync. This past December at the Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, our Chicago wedding band decided to test the dance floor with a bold move during the final chorus of Mr. Brightside — switching into a half-time feel just to see if anyone noticed.

They did. And the reaction was unforgettable.

The packed floor didn’t miss a beat. Guests instantly slowed their moves, matched the groove, and turned a fun musical curveball into a full-blown highlight moment. It’s these unscripted interactions that turn a great reception into true wedding inspiration — the kind couples and Chicago wedding planners love because it creates memories guests talk about long after the last song plays.

Set against the stunning lakefront backdrop of Michigan Shores Club, the energy in the room felt elevated, personal, and completely alive. This is what live Chicago entertainment does best: reading the crowd, creating connection, and making every wedding reception feel one-of-a-kind.

If you’re planning a celebration where the dance floor stays full and the moments feel effortless, this quick reel is proof that the right band doesn’t just play the music — they shape the experience.

HIGH ENERGY CHICAGO WEDDING BAND PACKED THE DANCE FLOOR AT CATHEDRAL HALL


Just your average high-society scream-sing situation, and our hearts are so happy 

Planning: @clementinechicago
Venue: @universityclubofchicago
.
.
.
chicagowedding chicagoweddings chicagoweddingband chicagoweddingbands chrissarlasorchestra weddingreception weddinginspo universityclubwedding cathedralhallwedding chicagoweddingplanner chicagobride chicagobrides chicagoweddingplanners chicagoweddingreception chicagodanceband chicagoentertainment chicagoweddingentertainment chicagoweddingvenue chicagoweddingvenues pinkponyclubJust your average high-society scream-sing situation, and our hearts are so happy

Planning: Clementine Custom Events
Venue: University Club of Chicago – Cathedral Hall

There’s something almost cinematic about playing a wedding in Cathedral Hall at the University Club of Chicago. Maybe it’s the soaring ceilings, the warm gothic glow, or the way every note echoes with a kind of magic. But Madeline & Jimmy’s wedding? This one was next level.

From the moment we stepped into the room—black tie elegance in full force, candlelight dancing across the room, and a buzz of anticipation in the air—we knew the energy was going to be electric.

And wow, were we right.

Setting the Scene

Picture it: guests in tuxedos and floor-length gowns, champagne flutes clinking, a skyline view peeking through stained glass windows. The couple had curated every detail to perfection, but they also knew when to let go and live in the moment. From our first note, the dance floor became the heartbeat of the night—and it never stopped.

Our top-rated Chicago wedding band kicked off with a classic to set the tone, and by the time we got to the chorus, the floor was already full. There was one moment during dinner where we glanced at each other and silently agreed: “This is going to be one of those nights.”

The Pink Pony Club Moment

And then—Pink Pony Club.

We’ve played it before. It always gets people moving. But this crowd? They claimed it.

The second the synth line hit, you could feel the entire room shift. The couple was front and center, arms around each other, mouthing every word. Behind them, a sea of guests jumped in, forming a spontaneous chorus. People were dancing like no one was watching—and singing like everyone was.

Pure magic. Watch the video above to see what we mean.

What We’ll Never Forget

There are nights where everything clicks—the crowd, the music, the room, the love. This was one of those weddings that reminds us why we do what we do. It wasn’t just about keeping the dance floor full. It was about creating a feeling that people would carry with them long after the last note faded.

We’ll be talking about this one for a long time.

To the newlyweds: thank you for trusting us to bring the party.
To Cathedral Hall: always a dream.
To everyone who sang like their lives depended on it during Pink Pony Club10/10. Would hire you for our next gig.


Ready to bring this kind of energy to your wedding?
We do black tie. We do bangers. We do dance floors that don’t quit.

📩 Let’s make your night unforgettable.

CHARLOTTE & JIMMY’S WEDDING AT MICHIGAN SHORES CLUB: A DANCE FLOOR STORY FOR THE AGES


Welcome to the wedding you’ll never forget  Charlotte & Jimmy!

Venue: @michiganshoresclub
Planning: @kgdesignedevents
.
.
.
chrissarlasorchestra chicagowedding chicagoweddings chicagoweddingband chicagoweddingbands chicagoweddingplanner michiganshoreswedding michiganshoresclub michiganshoresclubwedding chicagoentertainment chicagoliveband chicagolivemusic chicagocoverband chicagoweddingplanners chicagocoverbands weddinginspo chicagoweddingreception weddingreception good4uWelcome to the wedding you’ll never forget: Charlotte & Jimmy!
Some weddings have a spark. Others? A full-blown fire.

Charlotte & Jimmy’s celebration at Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette was the latter—and then some.

We’re a 5-star rated Chicago wedding band that’s lucky to play a lot of incredible weddings. But this one? This one had that feeling from the second we stepped into soundcheck: the kind of energy that makes you want to give everything you’ve got.

Black-tie elegance, a golden hour glow pouring in off Lake Michigan, and a crowd that came to DANCE. What more could we ask for?


From the First Song to the Last Shout

Once the formalities wrapped up and Charlotte & Jimmy had their first dance, it was game on—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.


One Song, One Moment: good 4 u

It’s hard to describe the electricity in the room when we launched into good 4 u—but luckily, there’s video evidence.

Giana, one of our lead vocalists, stepped to the mic and unleashed the first line. The response? A scream-sing explosion. Guests turned into backup singers, best friends threw their arms around each other, and the entire room became a concert pit with a chandelier overhead.

If you were there, you know. If you weren’t—check out the short video above.


What Made It Unforgettable

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the best weddings are the ones where the couple leads the party. Charlotte and Jimmy were on the dance floor all night long—hugging their guests, singing their hearts out, and creating this magnetic, joyful energy that spread to every corner of the room.

It wasn’t just a party. It was a celebration of them—and we were so honored to be part of it.


To Charlotte & Jimmy: You absolutely crushed it. Thank you for trusting us with your night.

To Michigan Shores Club: Always a dream to play.

To everyone who screamed good 4 u like it was a generational anthem: We see you. We love you. Come party with us again anytime.


Want a dance floor that feels like this?
We bring the heat. All night. Every time.
📩 Let’s talk about your wedding.