Erica Messer: Master Harpist for Luxury Events
Overview
I create the emotional soundtrack to your event—reading the room, shaping the energy, and turning the moments you’ve planned into moments your guests actually feel.
With over four decades of performance experience, Erica Messer is one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after harpists. Her performances go beyond background music—creating atmosphere, emotional depth, and visual elegance.
Drawing from classical training and intuitive musicianship, Erica customizes every performance to suit your venue, aesthetic, and moment.
• Luxury harp collection selected for each venue
• Professional attire, full insurance, and planner coordination
Reviews
29 reviews
Michael H.
August 8, 2026Erica made our Anniversary dinner a special event!
Erica was a pleasure to work with from the planning stage of our event through the event itself. She is very professional, both as a business woman and a fabulous harpist. The music she provided at our Anniversary dinner made our evening so special. Every one of our guests commented that she made the dinner special. She arrived on time and was set up and playing upon our arrival. I highly recommend Erica for your special events!
Hired as: Harpist
Nile E.
June 17, 2026Amazing to work with!
Erica's harp performance at our Soirée by the Sea at La Playa Hotel was simply outstanding. Her beautiful music created an elegant and magical atmosphere that perfectly complemented the coastal setting and sunset views. Guests were captivated from the moment she began playing, and her talent added a sophisticated, memorable touch to the entire evening.
Erica was professional, gracious, and incredibly skilled, effortlessly setting the tone for a relaxed yet refined event. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the performance and how it enhanced their overall experience.
We are so grateful to Erica for helping make our event special and would highly recommend her for weddings, private parties, corporate events, or any occasion that calls for exceptional live music.
Hired as: Harpist
Anamaria S.
March 20, 202610/10 would recommend
Erica truly made our day unforgettable! She brought such warmth and light, it felt like having a ray of sunshine with us the whole time. We and all of our guests were incredibly impressed by her talent, her music, and her genuine presence.
She went above and beyond by learning a very old song from our home country, without any sheet music, purely by ear, which meant so much to us. Her attention to detail and care throughout the entire experience did not go unnoticed.
We’re so grateful for everything she did and would absolutely recommend her to anyone!
Hired as: Harpist
Rico V.
May 14, 2025Amazing
Erica is a true professional. Erica was punctual and was prepared for her day at the DoubleTree By Hilton Newark-Fremont. Erica was able to read the room and feel the vibe and play music that was room appropriate.
We received so many compliments on her choice of music as well as her showmanship.
We would love to partner with Erica in the future.
Hired as: Harpist
Amanda A.
April 14, 2025Erica was amazing
Very professional, Showed up on time. Music was perfect. Would have her again.
Hired as: Harpist
Booking information
Price range: Starts at $1,250
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 350 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Full coverage
What to expect
PACKAGES and PRICING
Standard Wedding Package 15 minutes of Prelude music (while guests arrive), Bridal Party Entrance (Family and Groom), Bridal Entrance, Ceremony music (candle lighting, knot tying) and Recessional (exit) Music, and 15 minutes of postlude music while guests exit venue.
Included in all performances:
A customized song list, Your choice of instrumental harp, or harp and vocals. A sound system. Unlimited consultation with me.
I have general liability insurance as well as instrument and equipment coverage which some venues require.
*A contract and deposit are required to book any event.
About
Erica Messer | Luxury Harpist • Weddings • Corporate Events
More than beautiful harp music—I create the soundtrack to the room.
With 40 years of experience as a harpist, I specialize in creating elegant, memorable musical experiences for weddings, corporate events, celebrations, and luxury gatherings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
My approach is highly intuitive and personal. I read the room, respond to the energy of the event, and choose music in the moment—moving effortlessly from romantic classics and cinematic favorites to Taylor Swift, R&B, Motown, rock, and modern pop. Every arrangement has my own musical style and flavor.
Clients can choose from my collection of distinctive harps, including my Italian harp and show-stopping 24K gold harp, with professional amplification available for larger events.
Popular experiences include:
• Wedding Ceremony Harp
• Ceremony + Cocktail Hour
• Harp + Violin
• Harp + DJ/MC
• Corporate & Luxury Events
• Custom Song Requests
I bring more than an instrument to your event. I bring decades of experience reading a room, anticipating important moments, working seamlessly with planners and vendors, and creating an atmosphere your guests will remember.
If you're looking for music that feels personal, polished, and anything but ordinary, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
Additional booking notes
I provide my own sound, but if there is a DJ or existing sound system at the venue, I prefer to use that to minimize visual clutter.
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
October 2026
21
Wednesday
Corporate Event
1:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Fairfield, CA
Past booked events
October 2026
10
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
September 2026
13
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
The Sea Ranch, CA
August 2026
07
Friday
Anniversary Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
San Jose, CA
July 2026
18
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:30pm - 3:00pm
•
Danville, CA
June 2026
10
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Carmel By The Sea, CA
07
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 4:30pm
•
San Francisco, CA
May 2026
17
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Foresthill, CA
10
Sunday
Retirement Community Event
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
San Mateo, CA
April 2026
16
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Lafayette, CA
March 2026
20
Friday
Cocktail Party
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
San Mateo, CA
February 2026
21
Saturday
Launch Party
1:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Mountain View, CA
14
Saturday
Retirement Community Event
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
San Mateo, CA
03
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Napa, CA
December 2025
12
Friday
Surprise
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Pacific Grove, CA
October 2025
26
Sunday
Baby Shower
12:30pm - 2:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
June 2025
21
Saturday
Corporate Event
10:30am - 2:00pm
•
Berkeley, CA
19
Thursday
Corporate Event
3:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Berkeley, CA
May 2025
11
Sunday
Restaurant/Bar Event
10:00am - 2:30pm
•
Newark, CA
April 2025
16
Wednesday
Corporate Event
3:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Santa Clara, CA
12
Saturday
Corporate Event
10:30am - 2:00pm
•
Santa Clara, CA
March 2025
08
Saturday
Wedding Engagement
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Sausalito, CA
February 2025
14
Friday
Retirement Community Event
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
San Mateo, CA
January 2025
04
Saturday
Birthday Party
1:00pm - 3:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
November 2024
28
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
San Mateo, CA
October 2024
17
Thursday
Campus Event
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Oakland, CA
July 2024
27
Saturday
Bridal Shower
9:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Fremont, CA
March 2019
09
Saturday
Birthday Party
8:00pm - 8:30pm
•
San Francisco, CA
February 2019
14
Thursday
Restaurant/Bar Event
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Alameda, CA
December 2018
20
Thursday
Holiday Party
2:30pm - 3:15pm
•
Pleasant Hill, CA
November 2018
28
Wednesday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Palo Alto, CA
October 2018
06
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Pacific Grove, CA
March 2018
24
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 2:45pm
•
Lafayette, CA
February 2018
28
Wednesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Menlo Park, CA
19
Monday
Nonprofit Event
9:00pm - 12:00am (Tue)
•
San Francisco, CA
14
Wednesday
Holiday Party
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Alameda, CA
January 2018
23
Tuesday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Atherton, CA
November 2017
29
Wednesday
Concert
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Palo Alto, CA
27
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
San Jose, CA
12
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Oakland, CA
10
Friday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
San Francisco, CA
October 2017
21
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
10:30am - 1:00pm
•
Woodside, CA
13
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Turlock, CA
June 2017
24
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Sunnyvale, CA
May 2017
20
Saturday
House Party
8:30pm - 9:30pm
•
San Jose, CA
September 2016
25
Sunday
Reunion
10:30am - 1:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
December 2015
15
Tuesday
Campus Event
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Santa Rosa, CA
August 2015
28
Friday
Birthday (Child)
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Los Altos, CA
08
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:45pm
•
San Francisco, CA
June 2015
13
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Healdsburg, CA
May 2015
10
Sunday
Other
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Daly City, CA
October 2014
25
Saturday
Other
10:30am - 2:30pm
•
Saratoga, CA
September 2014
13
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Berkeley, CA
06
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
1:45pm - 3:00pm
•
Martinez, CA
August 2014
09
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:45pm
•
Saratoga, CA
July 2014
27
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:45pm
•
San Mateo, CA
19
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
San Jose, CA
Set list
Classical Selections
Pachelbel, Canon in D
Wagner, Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin
Amazing Grace, Trad. American
Ave Maria, Schubert
Bridal Chorus, Wagner
Clair de Lune, Debussy
Für Elise, Beethoven
Ground in F, Purcell
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, J.S. Bach
Ode to Joy, Beethoven
Oh Perfect Love, anon.
Prelude in C, J.S. Bach
Saltarello, Galilei
Spring (from the Four Seasons), Vivaldi
Theme from 'The Moldau', Smetana
Wachet Auf, J.S. Bach
Wedding March, Mendelssohn
Reverie, Grandjany
Vivaldi, Largo, Winter from The Four Seasons
Saint-Saens, The Swan (with cello)
Memorial
Over the Rainbow
Imagine
On Eagle's Wings
Angel
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Be Thou My Vision
Calon Lan
Hallelujah
Hindi Kita Malimutan
Broadway
One Hand, One Heart, from West Side Story
All I Ask of You, from Phantom of the Opera
Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
My Favorite Things, from The Sound of Music
Edelweiss, from The Sound of Music
Movie Music
Moon River Unchained Melody
My Heart Will Go On
Over the Rainbow
Concerning Hobbits
Standards and Jazz Tunes
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Fly me to the moon
La Vie en Rose
What a Wonderful World
L.O.V.E.
Sway
You Belong To Me
Stand By Me
Pop
Shape Of You, Ed Sheerhan
Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen
Lovesong, The Cure
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon
This Year’s Love, David Gray
Stay With Me, Sam Smith
Thinking Out Loud
A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
Just The Way You Are, Bruno Mars
Marry You, Bruno Mars
Brown-Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac
La Vie en Rose, Edith Piaf
Crazy Love, Van Morrison
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen
Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland
I Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis
I'm A Believer, The Monkees
Here Comes The Sun, The Beatles
Across The Universe, The Beatles
Sea of Love, Cat Power
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Bob Dylan
House Of The Rising Sun, The Animals
Let It Be, The Beatles
Hey Jude, The Beatles
Blowing In The Wind, Bob Dylan
Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac
Time after time, Cyndi Lauper
Yesterday, The Beatles
Eight Days a Week, The Beatles
I Won't Back Down, Tom Petty
Stairway To Heaven, Led Zeppelin
What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
Sway, Michael Buble
Fly Me To The Moon, Frank Sinatra
Girls Just want to have fun
I Shot the Sheriff
I Walk The Line
Borderline
The Tide is High
I Shot the Sheriff
Strawberry Fields Forever
All My Loving
Besame Mucho
Ain’t no sunshine
California Dreaming
Call Me
Can't Buy Me Love
Don't Stand So Close to Me
I think We’re Alone Now
Over The Rainbow
Moon River
How Long Will I Love You
We’ll Be Counting Stars
Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
Country Roads
Fields of Gold
Fever
She Loves You
Karma Police
L.O.V.E.
Sittin’ on the Dock Of The Bay
Clocks
The Scientist
Firework
The Prayer
You Raise Me Up
Tiny Dancer
You´re The One That I want
Angel, (Sarah Maglaughlin)
Wicked Game
What I Am, Edie Brickell
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley
Wild Horses
You Belong To me
Setup requirements
power outlet