Bay Area Strings

Category: Live Band or Ensemble

Type: Single instrument type ensemble

Genres: Classical

+3 genres

About Bay Area Strings

Jen Mathers

Manager & Cellist

Bay Area Strings performs as a string quartet, trio, or duet with seasoned professional musicians who give every performance their best, from the concert hall to the intimate church wedding to the lively dinner party! We love to share the fun, complexity, and intimacy of chamber music with new audiences.

Unlike some booking agencies that throw together unfamiliar musicians of varying skill levels, our musicians are versatile professionals who work together regularly. We pride ourselves on our extensive repertoire of high-quality song arrangements that both the audience and musicians enjoy.

Best of Zola 2023

Performance samples

Click the arrow buttons to navigate. The carousel content will change when you click.

Services

Services

  • Learning new songs

Musical genres

  • Classical
  • Jazz
  • Pop/Top 40s
  • Rock

Event types

  • Cocktail hour
  • Couples luncheon
  • Elopement
  • Engagement party
  • Farewell brunch
  • Other
  • Rehearsal dinner
  • Wedding ceremony
  • Wedding reception
  • Wedding shower
  • Welcome party

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

4 reviews

  • SR

    Sara R.

    Rating: 5
    •Jun 20, 2026

    Lovely from start to finish

    Working with Bay Area Strings was fantastic from start to finish. Jen, their coordinator, kept us informed every step of the way and was upfront about everything, which made planning so much easier. The quartet itself was lovely and truly elevated the entire atmosphere of our reception. They even accommodated my custom song request without charging us extra, which we really appreciated. Our guests couldn't stop talking about the music, and honestly, this is one decision we're so glad we made. 10/10!!

    Jen Mathers•Jun 23, 2026

    Thank you Sara, your wedding had a few unforgettable moments that we won't soon forget, including the vows and the fastest ringbearer we've ever had to accompany! :)

  • EC

    E Events Co.

    Rating: 5
    •Dec 17, 2024

    Fabulous!

    As a wedding planner, I am really particular about the vendors that I both like to work with and also that I recommend to my clients, and I can't say enough great things about Bay Area Strings! I have been working with them for almost ten years now, and have had nothing but amazing experiences each event! Jen and her team and professional, great and timely communication and talented musicians! Hire them for your next event, you won't regret it :)

  • JE

    John & E.

    Rating: 5
    •Dec 18, 2020

    Bay Area Strings Exceeded our Expectations

    We had a wedding in July 2019 and wanted to have live music played at the ceremony and cocktail hour. Bay Area Strings did not disappoint. Jen Mathers was highly responsive during the process and very easy to communicate throughout the planning process, which goes a long way. She provided us with a list of songs the group would be able to play for us, samples of performances, and a list of options for ensemble. We chose a string quartet and the pricing was very reasonable. We had requested a song that wasn't on the playlist and Jen had the ensemble learn the sheet music - beyond thrilled! The music was breathtaking and our wedding ceremony would not have been the same without the group's performance. Looking back at our wedding day, the live music is something we will always remember, thanks to Jen and Bay Area Strings.

  • V

    Vivian

    Rating: 5
    •Aug 17, 2020

    Beautiful and reliable

    I've recommended Bay Area Strings to many of my couples who are looking to add a little atmosphere and beautiful music to their wedding day. They're always professional and on time and add that extra bit of loveliness to the celebration!

Real wedding inspiration featuring Bay Area Strings

Show all photos
We carry general liability insurance that covers all our performances. This is required by San Francisco City Hall and many other venues.
Special requests are always welcome! If we can't find sheet music for the requested song, we can create a custom arrangement for you. We pride ourselves on performing high-quality arrangements that sound great and that the musicians also really enjoy playing!
Our musicians usually wear dressy "concert" black. But we can also wear black and white, office-dressy, tuxedos, or other colors to coordinate with the style and formality of your event.
We arrive at least 30 minutes prior to our performance for most events, which provides ample time to set up and review cues. Usually our group leader arrives a bit earlier to check for any issues with set-up/lighting/shade/parking, especially if we haven't performed at the venue before. But most logistics are worked out well ahead of time to avoid surprises or issues on the event day!
A standard wedding service or the first hour of performance costs $400-700 per musician, with the lower end of the range being for larger ensembles and shorter travel distances. Additional performance time is typically $90 per hour per musician. These rates vary based on travel time, as well as the service and preparation required. For each performer, the actual time commitment for a 1-hour performance is usually 4-6 hours (or more) due to travel, preparation, and set-up time.
We perform at outdoor venues frequently, although we do have restrictions on weather conditions in which we can perform (see our website FAQ page for more details). We require shade to protect our instruments, and cannot perform in very high or low temperatures, high winds, rain, or very dense fog. We can provide a white 10'x10' tent canopy if the venue does not offer a shaded spot or umbrellas.
Bay Area Strings provides premier string ensembles with musicians who give every performance their best! Unlike some booking agencies that throw together unfamiliar musicians of varying skill levels, our musicians are versatile professionals who work together regularly. We pride ourselves on our extensive repertoire of high-quality song arrangements that both the audience and musicians enjoy.
We perform as a string quartet, string trio, or violin-cello duet. The recommended group for your event depends on the venue, guest count, budget, and repertoire choices. A quartet offers the most varied repertoire and complex sound. A trio is a great option to reduce cost with only slightly reduced sound. A duet provides a sparser sound best for small venues. More details on our website!

Explore other vendors serving Pinole, CA

Complete your dream team

Other bands & DJs in Pinole

Other wedding services nearby