Bravo String Quartet

Extremely disappointed in the Bravo Quartet performance and professionalism. I'm a musician, and did my due diligence selecting a quartet. I sought an established group that played well and sounded like they are used to playing with each other. I looked high and low and eventually found some excellent videos by Bravo. Their price was reasonable, and I sent my two custom arrangements over to them. Ripsi (the lead) said the arrangements were good and they were comfortable with the music. Well fast forward to the wedding day, I hear the quartet warming up and I listened in, but my attention was mostly on our first look photos. I did notice they ran through both songs, but the tempos we're very slow. I suggested 120 bpm for the exit music. Ripsi found me before the ceremony after asking my best man to find me to collect the balance. I mentioned that the tempo should be faster and she said no problem. During the processional, I was not quite listening to the music, and my memories are of the people and the visuals. The music was recognizable to me but that's all I remembered about it. When it came time for the bride to enter (first arrangement), the piece began and I instantly felt that feeling a musician feels when not everyone in the orchestra/band begins at the same place and it's out of tune, but after that I was focused on my bride. When we were married and it was time for the recessional song (I'll be there for you- Friends show theme), I was surprised again to hear a slow tempo despite our discussion, and it was almost unrecognizable. Days after my wedding, a few of my friends who are musicians approached me and asked, "why didn't you ask me for recommendations for a quartet?". They also mentioned to me that the quartet did not start playing right away during the "social hour" (cocktail hour minus drinks), and instead we're enjoying the food and taking a break ahead of my guests. I asked Ripsi about this and let her know my disappointment with the music. Her reply was astonishing to me. First, she insisted that it was extra to learn two new pieces of music, even though that was the contingency of the entire contract, and she approved the music before I sent a deposit. The next excuse was it was hard to keep time because they didn't have a conductor.... Umm this isn't a symphony orchestra performance at the Hollywood bowl, it's a string quartet, professional musicians do not need a conductor for small ensembles. Another excuse came in the form of having to time the brides entrance. Well, I gave them clear instructions that they begin playing when the curtains open so I'm not sure how difficult that really is. I am extremely disappointed with my decision to hire Bravo quartet. If you are searching for a quartet, I highly recommend auditioning these groups and listening to them live. I trusted the YouTube videos too much, and that was my mistake. If you book Bravo quartet, you should know that they will not try very hard, they will play the bare minimum, they will expect food and drink and not label this in the contract at all, they will expect you to pay for set up time to come early for set up, they will charge you if they have to get out of their chairs, and walk 50ft inside to continue to perform, and will take a long break on your contracted time as soon as there is an opportunity to do so.