A wedding perfume may not be the first thing that springs to mind amongst all those venue viewings, tasting menus, wedding hair trials and floral arrangements – but you need to approach it in the same way as a dress fitting. Why? “A new scent is just as important for creating a lasting memory and echoing the details of your big day,” says Emma South, fragrance and lifestyle expert at Jo Malone.
It makes sense to have a wedding perfume that strays from your everyday scent (even if your other half loves it as much as you do) and to go for something special. “This scent will remind you of the day for the rest of your life because it’s a fact that scent and memories are interlinked,” says Emmanuelle Moeglin, classically trained perfumer and founder of the Experimental Perfume Club. “So wearing a specific fragrance you don’t use all the time will remind you of your wedding day when you smell it again.”
How to choose a wedding perfume
There's a lot to consider when choosing a wedding perfume, so it's worth bringing mood boards to a scent consultation. “When choosing your wedding scent keep these three main points in mind: your day, your fragrance tastes and how you want to feel," Emma notes. "Depending on the setting, flowers and colours, you might find you are drawn to scents that capture these details."
Perhaps the most obvious consideration is the season. If you're having a winter wedding, you might find yourself drawn to scents laced with spices or woody notes. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne is iconic.
While a summer wedding calls for something more breezy or citrus-based, such as Guerlain Nerolia Vetiver Forte, which conjures up sunshine with its blend of neroli, figs and warm almonds, or a beachy holiday scent such as Louis Vuitton On The Beach. Likewise, match the blooms in your bouquet to your fragrance – the freshly-snipped roses and peonies in Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet is a stunning option.
Another factor worth considering is the style of wedding dress you’re wearing. “The wedding dress represents a moment in a lifetime, and the fragrance you wear should represent this extraordinary moment,” says Aurelien Guichard, the perfumer behind ELIE SAAB’s Le Parfum Bridal. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s bridal dress collection, Guichard combined raw materials which had texture and light to conjure up satin, lace and organza. “It contains notes of ylang-ylang, orris, and orange blossom, which evidently add petal-like contrasts,” he tells us. It also contains creamy vanilla and ambroxan to “add sparkle.”
But ultimately it comes down to personal preference, so leave yourself plenty of time to sniff different scents before landing on The One. “Think of what you want to be reminded of on the day and use this as a memory anchor,” Emma adds. That memory may even be your first date, in which case try the aptly-named Maison Margiela Replica On A Date.
Which scent is best for weddings?
The easy answer is: “Follow your nose, follow what you like and what you are personally attracted to,” says Emmanuelle.
- EntertainmentWho is the real Martha from Baby Reindeer?
In other words, if you’re not a floral girl don’t just go for a rose-heavy fragrance because it’s traditionally considered romantic. “Go for personal preferences over recommendations or marketing,” she adds. And don’t forget the person at the end of the aisle too, who might find a more masculine fragrance comforting, or a sexier, smokier fragrance endearing.
Alternatively, you may wish to opt for what Emma calls a ‘scent pairing’. In other words, pairing something new with something familiar. “Naturally, you should wear something that is in line with what you love so you are comfortable, yet also consider something you haven’t worn before,” she says. “Jo Malone Wild Bluebell, for example, is the perfect way to wear something blue so you may want to mist the hem of your dress or veil with this scent.”
Top tips for how to make your wedding perfume last all day
Perfume needs something to cling to, so the golden rule about layering your scent has never been more relevant than on your wedding day. “Most brides want longevity, not necessarily intensity," Emma notes. "They want a fragrance that will be present and gently emanate throughout the day but not overpower them. Therefore, layering with a body crème is a particularly good way of wearing your fragrance.”
Where you spritz your perfume also makes a difference. “Being the warmest parts of the body, the pulse points – wrists, neck and elbows – are perfect for fragrance to be applied to if you want it to linger,” she continues.
You may even choose to add a complementary hair mist. Chanel recently added the Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume to its collection.
How to scent your wedding venue
After choosing your wedding perfume, you may want to look at how to incorporate it into your wedding venue. “See your venue as a blank canvas, waiting to be brought to life with the fragrant flicker of candlelight," says Emma, who recommends using the same scent for clusters of candles down the aisle, across tabletops and in hurricane lamps for staircases.
“Fragrant invites set the tone, and misted menus and tablecloth hems continue the scented scheme with every movement,” she continues. “This not only helps cement the scent memory for your guests, but it will also give the illusion that the bridal couple are everywhere – which is great, as no matter how hard you try, you never get the chance to see everyone!”
The best wedding perfume services
One of the best ways to find your perfect wedding perfume is with a perfume workshop, or consultation. Keep scrolling for our picks:
Jo Malone London offer a complimentary wedding consultation, with a wedding stylist helping you choose the perfect scent for you from their extensive selection. They'll also teach you the art of ‘Fragrance Combining’ to create something a little more unique. Bring your bridal group, enjoy a glass of bubbly and a hand massage, and come away with a beautiful bridal scent. Delicious.
- EntertainmentWho is the real Martha from Baby Reindeer?
For £500, the Experimental Perfume Club offers a 1-2-1 Workshop where you – and your fiancé if they so wish – can create a completely unique scent from over 250 individual ingredients the brand has to hand and with the expert guidance of a trained perfumer. The result is a 50ml bottle of a fragrance that is well and truly yours, and yours only.
Jo Loves, founded by Jo Malone CBE, offers a unique experience called ‘Fragrance Tapas’ to help couples find their perfect wedding day scent at its flagship store on Elizabeth Street in London. Situated at the stores Fragrance Brasserie Bar, sip a Kir Royale while you get to know the brand’s signature scents.
Rather than a simple spritz and sniff, the store manager will present the perfumes to you in a conceptual way that’s fun and innovative. According to the website, here’s what to expect: “Bath Cologne is warmed within a tagine and released via a cloud of scented steam, Cleanser is shaken over ice and strained into a glass and Lotion is whipped and foamed before being swept gently onto your skin with a paintbrush.”
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Diptyque's ‘Fragrance Fitting’, though not specifically for weddings, is a good option, too. You’ll blind-smell their single scent candles (in their families: woody, spicy, floral, fruity and herbal) and give a simple ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ to each, eating chocolate-covered coffee beans between them to clear the nose.
The consultant will edit options depending on your choices and will talk you through a smaller selection of fragrances until you find The One. You’ll come away with a heady hero for the big day, and a whole lotta knowledge, too. Win-win.
And, if you're London based (or London bound) Creed, Atelier Cologne and Atkinson's all offer a bespoke consultations, using perfume profiling to help you discover the scent you'll love best.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
