Upstate Strings

Upstate Strings is a collective of professional musicians playing weddings and private events from Rochester, New York, with a second branch in Toronto. Please note that the listing says the group is fully booked for 2025 and 2026 and is not taking new clients.

Why they suit LGBTQ+ couples

The group is LGBTQ+-owned and led by cellist Natalie V, and it describes itself as a woman-owned, LGBTQ+-friendly team. Live strings are a flexible way to build a ceremony soundtrack that reflects your own taste.

Formats and sound

• Solo, duo, trio or quartet groups
• Acoustic violin and electric cello
• Music for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
• A wide range of styles

Booking strings

Because this ensemble reports being fully booked for the coming seasons, check availability before you plan around it. If you are shopping for any live strings, book early and ask which format fits your venue size. A quartet fills a large room, while a solo player can suit a small garden.

Send a song list, including your processional and recessional choices, well ahead. Ask about the setup space needed, power for electric instruments and weather plans for outdoor ceremonies.

Where they play

The group is based in Rochester, New York, and also has a branch in Toronto, Canada. Ask about travel for weddings elsewhere in the region, and about the equipment each format needs, such as chairs, shade and a flat, dry surface for the players.