A whiff of mogra is all I need to get teleported to a temple. The warm, spicy scent of cinnamon reminds me of Christmas time. Fresh lemony scents conjures up my trip to Amalfi Coast. Then, there’s the nostalgic fragrance of mango that makes me yearn my childhood summer vacations. Scents play an evocative role to evoke emotions and memories. This connection makes your wedding perfume a particularly pivotal part of your bridal trousseau. So every subsequent spritz of your wedding fragrance has the power to whisk you back to your walk down the aisle. Since memories and scents are interlinked, it’ll pay to pick a bridal perfume that’s different from your daily scent.
Like all elements of your celebrations, you need to invest in a lot of time and thought to make this choice. Finding your perfect perfume is a personal experience, says Anton Denver, EMEA education director, Jo Malone London & EDPFM. Whether you lean towards floral, woody or fruity fragrances, the expert shares his advice on choosing the right fragrance for your big day.
The first step
“The best starting point is setting your theme. Find answers to questions like: What style will be portrayed throughout the wedding? Is there an ingredient that emotionally connects you and your partner? Does it harmonise with the colour and florals you picked for the décor? In short, as you would plan the wedding wardrobe, do this for the scent selection too,” explains Anton.
Don’t be driven by transient trends, seasonality in scents or opinions of others. Test drive your wedding scent ahead of time. “As you would take time sample food, view venues or flowers, do the same for your scents. At Jo Malone London stores, there’s the incredible Wedding Service that takes you through the discovery of scent that leads to your perfect wedding scent creations. There are no rules to layering our perfumes too. If you love two of them, you can spray as much or as little as you want to make it ‘Uniquely Yours’. The service also guides you through scenting the venue, from tables to bathrooms.”
The external factors
Choose something that’ll suit your location, time, season and personality. For example, what you’d wear on a glamorous winter soirée in a ballroom is likely to be different from your daytime beach ceremony. The size of your guest list also needs to be factored in, says Anton. If you have a larger-than-life palace wedding with 400 guests, a very light fragrance may fade soon. In contrast, a very spicy perfume for an intimate backyard ceremony may feel overwhelming.
The internal factors
“Yes, definitely work these points into your decision making, but that said, the most important thing to remember is that you are creating a memory. If you have notes that remind you of the night your first met or a holiday you both enjoyed, create or select a fragrance that speaks to you and your emotions. It will be more impactful for you and the continuation in building on an already amazing memory.”
The special factors
For brides who can’t pinpoint a memory, personalise your wedding perfume with meaning. When it comes to marriages, several flowers signify something special and sentimental. A red rose can signify romance and passion, while a white rose denotes purity, and a pink one reflects joy. Cherry blossoms symbolise the fragility of life. Lillies are a symbol of modesty and virginity. A peony is associated with good fortune. Jasmine represents innocence, while lavender depicts devotion. If you can resonate with one or more of these elements, let that be your starting point.
The wide array
A floral fruity scent, like Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, is undisputed bridal best-seller for most nuptial daytime settings. “You can never go wrong with an overdose of white flowers. I suggest Tuberose Angelica or a personal favourite Jasmine Sambac & Marigold. For something playfully sensual I suggest the ravishingly moreish Scarlet Poppy or a dose of luxuriously seductive Peony & Blush Suede. An all-time favourite is one of the two English Pear scents, both scents have the equivalent of One Pear in Every Bottle but with different personalities of a golden lusciousness or pastel lusciousness tones.”
A spicy or warm gourmand perfume, such as Jo Malone London Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense, is apt for an evening event. “To grab the attention of your guests in a non-offensive way, I’d go with the warmth of the intoxicatingly noble Myrrh & Tonka or the intensely magnetic smokiness of Pomegranate Noir,” he adds.
The layering
If you want to create a signature scent, layer two or more options for a unique-to-you fragrance. When it comes to scent cocktailing, the possibilities are endless. A simple yet effective way to start is picking two perfumes that are different but share a common thread. For example, combine two options with notes of rose and go from there. Refrain from layering more than three scents and take as much time as you need. “By layering two favourite scents together, the bride and groom can create something that is completely personal to them. I personally like to take his and her scents, then incorporate it into the scenting of the table settings and the bathroom ancillary products,” says Anton.
Long lasting
Regardless of the fragrance family you want to stay in, pick a formula with a higher concentration like perfume oils, parfums or extraits. Speaking of how to make the scent last longer, Anton reveals, “The obvious regions are the pulse points: the wrists, crease behind the elbows, back of the neck-ear and décolleté. You can also lightly spray it into the hair and onto areas of clothing around the neck, but be careful with delicate fabrics. We also factor in the wedding routine to add scented body products that include body scrubs and wash, creams and oils. This will enhance the scent and create a great looking skin.”
