My wedding is right around the corner, and I have to thank the brands that helped me get here. Not only did these particular brands and products help me through the weeds of wedding planning, but they may even make a guest star appearance on the big day—likely in the form of stamped cocktail napkins or a big sticker decal for the getaway car. Everybody loves good product placement! 

Also, just to confirm, “sponsoring” is when you buy a lot of something from one brand, right? Anyways, here’s the list:

YummiCandles.com

One of the best online shops for buying taper candles in bulk. Most brides have to sell their unused taper candles on Facebook Marketplace after their weddings, but not me! They will be going straight to my taper candle collection, right where they belong. 

Bigelow Tea

Bigelow brand Earl Grey tea is not only my favorite, but it has been a wedding-prep essential for me. When I experienced a tragic aversion to dairy during the course of planning, Bigelow Earl Grey tea stepped up as my main source of caffeine in those tired days. 

Lipton Tea

When Bigelow Earl Grey tea wasn’t enough, I thankfully had my favorite trusty iced black tea bags from Lipton. When having a hot steaming mug of tea didn’t sound like it would hit my spot as much as something iced, Lipton saved me. My sweet iced tea also offered me a way to bond with my future family members, some of whom say they couldn’t live without it. Been there, sister!

My Mom’s Art Classroom Supply Closet

Huge shoutout to one of my favorite brands, my mom’s used craft products that I borrowed to make essential signage for the wedding. After the blood, sweat, and tears I dedicated to that school in the form of student government or musical performances, it’s truly the least they can do. I would also be happy to take a cool $5K, if they have that lying around. Feel free to reach out to my mom to get me the cash. 

e.l.f. Makeup

As someone doing their own wedding makeup, I simply must shout-out the drugstore makeup of my choosing. Eyes? Yes. Lips? Totally. Face? Giving. This brand did falter a bit in my heart, mind, and soul when I purchased what I thought to be a tinted sunscreen that turned out to be a glitter-infused spf and makeup primer. Not a very good primer and now everything I wore that day is covered in glitter. 

Niedlov’s Bakery Wi-Fi

When I first started wedding planning, there was no better place to sit and doomscroll through venues that cost more than my entire budget than any empty table or stool anywhere in Niedlovs. You’re welcome for all the money I’ve spent at your bakery, but in addition to a handwritten thank-you note, I’d also accept a donation of pastries. Louie has my address. 

Ford 

Thank you to Ford for building a car that my fiancé can continue to drive without too many issues. That 2006 Ford Escape has lived many lives, but its best one has been driving me around to date nights and wedding appointments. 

Cookout Reese’s Cup Milkshake

A load-bearing part of my ideal last meal, the Reese’s Cup milkshake from local fast-food restaurant Cookout is my favorite late night, post-soccer game sweet treat. Nothing tastes as good as “sharing” one of these shakes with my fiancé while deciding on our seating chart or dinner menu. 

Adobe Creative Suite

Oh, y’all thought I was going to say “Canva”? Not in this house! I used the Adobe Creative Suite to create any extraneous signage, save the dates, invites, etc. by asking my dad to please use his corporate Adobe Creative Suite access to create all the signage, save the dates, and invites. 

Goodwill 

Not a lot of people know this, but Goodwill is actually a for-profit organization. Which is totally fine—I’m not critiquing you guys at all! But I’m just saying that I’ve spent an arm and a leg at Goodwill stores across four states (Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina) for wedding supplies, so maybe you could send some of that profit my way? I can secure an extra large logo decal for the hood of my fiancé’s 2006 Ford Escape, if you want?

Carlisle Patete

Carlisle Patete (‘22) came to Calvin University from the mountains of North Carolina and graduated with a double major in film & media and creative writing. After brief stints in Los Angeles and Chicago, she now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she enjoys sweet tea on her front porch and identifying every tree and bird she runs into on any hiking trail.