Your wedding music, sorted: Meet Lily Kerbey
Every day from the 1st December until Christmas Eve, I’m giving away a little treat. Today I’ve teamed up with alt wedding singer extraordinaire Lily Kerbey to bring you two wedding playlists, one for the day and one for the evening. We know that putting together the music for your big day could seem overwhelming, even if music is your lifeblood, so we thought it would get you started! These are packed full of tracks for alternative tastes, with hits from City & Colour, Bring Me The Horizon, Paramore and Jimmy Eat World, to name but a few.
On the Day Time playlist are tracks for:
Pre-ceremony
Your aisle walk
A certificate signing
When you go back up that aisle together
A drinks reception
Your wedding breakfast
On the Night Time playlist are tracks for:
Your first dance
Filling that dancefloor
Alongside the playlists, your extra little treat today is getting to know Lily (she/her). She specialises in singing all your favourite and beloved songs in an accessible, soft and beautiful way that blends the emo inside you with a Nan-approved style. I had the pleasure of asking her a few questions, so get that kettle on and let’s snuggle up and dive right in!
Couples who book you like…
Alternative music ranging from pop-punk to emo to deathcore, but sometimes also Taylor Swift (Swemos) and country music too. They also like going to festivals, seeing live music (particularly alternative scenes), nerdy stuff and doing it all a bit differently.
What’s your fave song to sing?
This is an IMPOSSIBLE question to answer, but I do love Freak on a Leash for the guest’s reactions and anything by City and Colour / Alexisonfire is amazing because of the singer in both bands, Dallas Green. I love songs with lots of words, so I enjoying doing One Week by Barenaked Ladies or Caramel by Sleep Token.
What makes a good playlist for you?
Something with light and shade. I like a playlist that grows and adapts as it goes on. I also like singing songs that don't get chosen all the time so anything rarer in a playlist is always fun for me.
Photo by Alt Wedding Co.
Photo by Alt Wedding Co.
Is there a top song that most couples ask for?
I’d say the top five songs would probably be;
Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
Still Into You by Paramore
First Date by Blink182
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
In The End by Linkin Park
To be fair, I love them all!
What’s the wildest thing that’s happened at one of your gigs or weddings?
I did a wedding recently where the Father of the Bride had a butt plug with a tail as a prop for his speech... luckily he only held it!
What do you most look forward to when singing at a wedding?
If I'm singing for the ceremony then I love hearing personal vows, especially if it's a celebrant-led ceremony and I get to hear their love story. I ALWAYS cry. Other than that, I love getting to know the guests throughout the day and feeling part of the gang, and those big singalong moments that you know will always be a core memory for all in attendance.
Is there anything you’d love to sing at a wedding that you’ve never done before?
I'm really lucky in that the couples who book me are into the same kind of music as me so anything I've ever wanted to sing... I have! For a while it was my fave band Bilmuri but hogs have now been cranked!
What do you love about your job?
My job doesn't feel like a job. I get to go to people's most joyous days in incredible locations and do my fave thing - singing? And I get paid for it?! I love it all, but mostly the people I get to meet, truly the couples who book me are the best.
Photo by Alt Wedding Co.
Photo by Alt Wedding Co.
Let’s talk about some of the songs we’ve put in our playlist. What’s your number one banger on there?
Anything by System Of A Down or Bring Me The Horizon is a certified BANGER for me.
What’s your favourite first dance song?
100% it would be If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn by Sleeping With Sirens (the acoustic version).
Which song would get people on the dancefloor?
I reckon a perfect song to get both your alternative mates but also your Mum and older relatives on the floor would be something by Paramore or Avril Lavigne, so let’s go for Ain't It Fun or Sk8er Boi.
Tell us about your tour!
Oh my goodness, yes! I'm touring again next year and I'm so excited. I'm heading to eight locations around Valentine’s Day, with two of them already being sold out! It'll be a super cute evening of acoustic alternative tunes with singing along encouraged!
I’ll be playing at:
Oran Mor in Glasgow on 5th February
Holy Diver in Stockport on 6th February
The Wardrobe in Leeds on 11th February
MAC in Birmingham on 12th February
The Cluny 2 in Newscastle on 15th February
Hoxton Hall in London on 18th February
Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff on 19th February
Papillon in Southmapton on 22nd February
Come along - tickets are available on my website.
Where can people listen to your music?
I have multiple acoustic covers on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon etc that you are more than welcome to use on your wedding playlist (or just to play in your office, car, home, at the gym etc!) Just search for ‘Lily Kerbey - Stealth Rock’.
When do you open your books again?
I am currently fully booked until the end of 2027 (wtf?!) but I open my 2028 diary in January next year.
Describe your perfect Christmas!
I wake up around 8am and go downstairs to find my Dad sat in a Santa hat reading, and then I start the handwritten trail he has left me around the house with clues on how to find the next part. At the end is the first present I can unwrap before anyone else wakes up. My Dad has done this for me without fail since I was a kid!
We then get ready to host everyone, unwrap presents and enjoy a day of eating, board gaming and eating some more. At some point we have to watch A Muppet Christmas Carol and probably have a nap.
Follow along on Instagram every day of December to get more treats, like free art card downloads, more collaborations and some cheeky discounts on your wedding stationery!
Happy holidays!
Carly ✌️