Fragrance has an almost alchemical ability to unlock memories. For me, every time I even get a whiff of jasmine, it always takes me back to my childhood days when my mother would adorn my hair with fresh gajra every night. And there’s science to this: our sense of smell is directly linked to the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotion and memory. That’s why a single spritz can transport you to a specific time, place, or person, so we instinctively gravitate towards scents that evoke comfort, joy or nostalgia, often without realising the deep connection and emotion they carry.
For brides, picking the perfect perfume becomes more than just a finishing touch. It’s a sensory signature of the most significant day of their lives. Whether it’s a dreamy white floral, a fresh citrus blend or a sensual musk, the right scent can capture the mood and the magic of the moment. And long after the nuptials are over, one spritz can instantly teleport her back to that walk down the aisle, the excitement of a first dance and even the anticipation before saying “I do.”
Six real brides always resonate with this sentiment. Their perfumes weren’t just accessories—they were emotions and feelings, bottled and applied.
Dianna Mazzone Singh
Who would think about their wedding perfume more intentionally than a prolific beauty journalist? For Dianna Mazzone Singh, Features Director at Allure and the founder of clothing brand Dianna Singh, her bridal scent was a pivotal part of the many meaningful layers of her multicultural wedding celebration with Herman Singh. Held at the Central Park Zoo in New York, the ceremony was a joyful fusion of Indian and Western traditions. Her white wedding look, a Primrose at Amsale silhouette, was timeless and romantic.
Dianna’s choice of perfume for the walk down the aisle, too, echoed the same classic charm. “I wore Ellis Brooklyn Sweet Eau de Parfum. As its name implies, it is a sweet but subtle blend of pear, violet, and white amber—I didn’t want anything too overpowering,” shares Dianna. She carried this scent of love for their honeymoon too. “On our honeymoon, I wore its ‘sister’ scent, Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum… It was perfect for our trip to coastal Portugal.” An olfactive journey, as layered and personalized as her wedding.
Aish Pandit-Chaudry
Aish Pandit-Chaudry and Sahil Chaudry’s ethereal Tuscan wedding was a fairytale come to life: set in a heritage castle flanked by cypress trees and olive groves, the intimate ceremony saw 100 loved ones basking in true Italian elegance. The bride was a show stopper in a rani pink Sabyasachi lehenga, with its vibrant hue mirroring the warm sunset and perfectly anchoring the wedding palette. From the trousseau to the décor, every detail echoed romance, culture and personalisation, right down Aish’s choice of perfume.
“I combined two,” Aish shares. “First was the Yves Saint Laurent Libre Le Parfum, and the second was a perfume I made on our trip to Paris when Sahil proposed to me. After the engagement, we took a perfume-making class the next day and created our own fragrances—so I layered YSL with that.” The blend became her olfactory signature for the ceremony, a mix of sensual florals and deeply personal memories that made her bridal aura feel even more intimate and unforgettable.
Priya Banerjee
Priya Banerjee and Prateik Smita Patil’s at-home wedding on Valentine’s Day 2025 was an intimate celebration wrapped in warmth, personal touches and quiet glamour. With soft lighting, handpicked blooms and handwritten vows, every detail was a reflection of the couple’s journey. Priya eschewed the traditional red in favour of a stunningly unconventional, mermaid-cut lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani—fluid, contemporary and entirely unique. Just like the bride herself, it redefined bridal elegance with effortless ease.
Priya’s choice of fragrance was just as heartfelt. “I wore Yves Saint Laurent Libre for my wedding on Valentine’s Day 2025. I love lavender. And choosing it for the ceremony was a no-brainer because this is the perfume I wore for the first date I went with Prateik [Smita Patil]. The mere whiff of Libre transports me back to my wedding day, and it always will,” shares Priya. A scent, a memory, a forever moment.
Anika Ullah
London-based Anika Ullah and Nishad Hoque’s wedding was imbued with hyper-personalised charm and thoughtful elegance. Hosted across regal venues, their celebration—beginning with a heartfelt Nikkah in London and unfolding into a vibrant mela-themed mehndi at a 13th‑century Kent castle—was a true testament to meticulous planning and cultural fusion. Anika’s custom red Rimple and Harpreet lehenga, which took nearly 6 months to make, was customized to the T.
Even her bridal fragrance was a labour of love. “I wore Byredo Rose Noir for my wedding. I love all scents with rose but this particular one just smelt extra special, as if it was made for me. My husband also loved this one the most, and always says it reminds him of our wedding even today. It might be the feminine floral smell of jasmine and the deep musk notes as those two are my all-time favourite notes. I tried around 10 different rose perfumes before my wedding, but as soon as I smelt Rose Noir, something inside me told me this was the one.”
Seema Bansal Chadha
The co-founder of Venus et Fleur, the brand that introduced the original Eternity® roses, Seema got married to partner in personal and professional life Sunny Chadha in the dreamiest 3-day wedding celebrations in 2018. With beautiful view of a waterfall in Miami, the couple’s serene Anand Karaj was held under a white tented space that was decked up with thousands of white, pink and blush roses. When it came to choosing her outfit for the big day, she eschewed the usual hues in favour of a burnt orange Anita Dongre lehenga.
“Every element of our wedding was intentional, and our fragrance was a big part of it. Sunny wore Louis Vuitton Ombre Nomade—rich, warm, and unforgettable. I layered Louis Vuitton Rose des Vents with Byredo Flowerhead, a fresh floral that brought brightness and joy. The combination felt romantic and timeless. Even now, whenever we smell those scents, we’re instantly transported back to that day—every emotion, every detail, all over again,” reveals Seema.
Sonam Babani
Set against the snow-capped Swiss Alps, influencer Sonam Babani’s wedding looked straight out of a dream. With powdery white peaks as their natural altar, the ceremony embraced the untouched beauty of the mountains and the magic of winter. Every detail—from the soft pastel florals to the delicate candlelight—was designed to complement the ethereal setting. Sonam made a breathtaking bride in a custom white Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga, intricately embellished yet light as snow, mirroring the landscape around her.
Adding to the layers of sentimental touches was Sonam’s choice of scent for the big day. “I chose Chanel No 5. Because it’s a classic and timeless choice. Above all, it reminds me of my grandmom. And I wouldn’t get over it,” she shared. Much like her grandmother’s legacy, Chanel No 5 carries an enduring allure.
