The feeling that comes from making it official with 'the one' cannot be underestimated ('the one' being the fragrance you've chosen to waft down the aisle with that is). We jest, but like an olfactory wormhole, scent has the power to connect us back to the meaningful day more than any floral arrangements or place settings.
"Fragrance is one of the most intimate ways to capture a moment in time. It's not just remembered, it's relived," says Emmanuelle Moeglin, Founder of EPC (Experimental Perfume Club) and nose. "One spritz can bring back the music, the laughter and the light. That's why choosing a scent for your wedding is more than a beauty decision, it's an emotional time capsule." So far, so pressurised, but it doesn’t have to be, according to our experts.
"Choosing a wedding scent should be exciting; indulgent, and above all fun," says Tracy Munro, Managing Director at London's oldest, independent fragrance boutique, Les Senteurs.
"What you need to remember is that how you smell something is entirely correct," adds fragrance expert and presenter Alice Du Parcq. "Even if you’re looking at an ingredients list and thinking 'I absolutely do not get any rose/raspberry/[insert scent seasoning that is completely lost on you] whatsoever', please trust me on this: YOU ARE NOT WRONG." It isn't about trends or seasonality, it's about falling in love, and whilst there are no rules when it comes to which scent soulmate you end up with, our expert are on hand to guide you down the (perfume) aisle.
How to find your wedding fragrance
Go it alone
In terms of wedding fragrance shopping, that is. "Shop solo, always," instructs Alice. "It may sound harsh, but I do not recommend bringing a friend or family member on a sniffing spree. Everyone perceives scent differently, and you need to feel confident in your own sense of smell when you head into the perfume amphitheatre.
"If you ask your wing-person to give their opinion, it's inevitable for them to dictate their own subjective sensory preferences based on emotional, cultural and personal style radars, and their judgment won't benefit you in any way. This is the one wedding purchase you get to make that no one has a right to have an opinion on and that is absolutely fantastic!"
Follow your nose
"Start with the emotion, not the notes," says Emmanuelle. "Before diving into ingredients, pause and ask yourself: how do I want to feel on the day? Confident and magnetic? Romantic and serene? Your scent should echo the emotion you want to carry with you and remember forever."
It's a sentiment all our experts agree with: "Your wedding day will probably be one of the biggest days of your life, but remember – underneath all that razamatazz, it's still you, so respect that inner voice," adds Tracy. "A good starting point is your existing fragrance wardrobe selection, as there may be a scent you just want to dial up for the day, but if you're keen to find something new to make the day feel even more unique, we advise starting the search early."
Set the scene
"Matching your fragrance vibe to the wedding setting is a really nice way to help focus your shopping style,”"says Alice. "Take into consideration the size of the venue; is it very intimate, which requires a soft skin scent, or a grand event that needs a bit more of a room-rocker perfume?
"The time of year and general mood of the day are all good things to bear in mind if you're feeling a bit bamboozled." Whilst there are no rules when it comes to the fragrance you opt for, there are notes that play well in certain settings; "The environment and season can naturally guide the scent palette," confirms Emmanualle.
"A summer garden ceremony? Try soft florals with a green or citrus freshness. A winter celebration? Think warm base notes with spice, woods or amber." How bold you go will also depend on the location. "Fragrance is powerful stuff which makes for ever-lasting scent memories, so ensure that memory isn't too loud or overpowering for the occasion," says Tracy. "If you’re heading for the outdoors/sunshine/beach, then by all means add a little more power to your selection line-up."
Go pro
Don’t be afraid to get the experts involved. Many perfume places now offer brilliant bridal services. "When I got married, I went to have a consultation at the Guerlain counter in Harrods. It was so fascinating and inspiring, and generally one of the most enjoyable parts of my wedding planning," says Alice.
"Finding my wedding perfume was one of the most enjoyable parts of my wedding planning"
"Their consultation system is fantastic because they’ll find a few things that match your sentiments exactly, and a few left-field suggestions that you might not have considered."
To sniff out an undiscovered gem, Les Senteurs offer 90-minute wedding consultations (for up to six guests) complete with a glass of Champagne or reviving tea or coffee and petit fours whilst you immerse your senses in the world of luxury niche perfume, with each guest receiving a personalised Wedding Discovery Collection to take away on the day.
Penhaligons (which also boast some cracking wedding scents) do a similar Wedding Scent Finder in select boutiques (£50 redeemable against purchase and also includes a glass of champagne). Whilst for those looking for something totally unique, Experimental Perfume Club have a ‘Blend A Deux Wedding Experience’, £500, to create your own bespoke scent.
Pick your perfect pairing
The Feminine Floral: CHANEL Gardenia Les Exclusives de Chanel Eau de Parfum, £240
"Big, rich white florals are a really popular request from brides-to-be and this is one I always call on thanks to the extraordinary quality and excellent longevity on the skin," says Alice.
This radiant, floral bouquet's timeless elegance makes it the chic choice for classic brides.
The Winter Warmer: Frederic Malle Heaven Can Wait, £265
For a sensual, spicier option perfect for cosy winter weddings, Frederic Malle’s floral woody musk blends cloves and carrot seeds with nutmeg, cedar and vanilla for a warm, enveloping scent with a vintage sensibility perfect for spritzing onto wraps and stoles.
The Modern Rose: Tory Burch Sublime Rose, £42
© @RainerBehrens.comThe symbol of love has had a contemporary upgrade with this beguiling ode to the nation's favourite bloom. Whilst it is unashamedly rosy with rosewater top notes and a rose and freesia heart, the warm, earthy base of Dreamwood and patchouli and jammy blackcurrant accord keeps it firmly in the realms of a thoroughly modern romance. Great for boho and traditional weddings alike.
The Sensual Skin Hug: Aerin amber musk, £108
Aerin is best known for its beautiful (and unequivocally bridal) florals, but this soft, inviting scent is the one to spritz for smaller, more intimate settings. The warm, woody fragrance – the kind you want to nuzzle into - melds with coconut water for a sophisticated step up from a skin scent.
The Sparkling Citrus: Affinescense Combava-Cedrat, £205
Citrus scents are the perfect olfactive elope to sunnier climes and make great destination fragrances or as an uplifting adjunct to home-grown garden weddings. "This is a scent that bursts out of the bottle with joie de vivre and then stays like that all day. Uplifting, sharp, sweet and refreshing; everything a good citrus fragrance should be," says Tracy.
The Grown-up Gourmand: Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense, £164
Jo Malone knows how to knock out a great wedding fragrance, but this sultry unisex suitor is a little more esoteric. Rich and heady, it combines top notes of lavender and honey with Omumbiri myrrh and amber, which are muddled with tonka bean, vanilla and almond to lend some resinous oriental flair to cool British edifices.
