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If you’re getting married this year, there are enough big decisions to make that are unfun, whether that’s keeping it under budget, organising the table plan or sending off the invites.
One of the more lighthearted but often-forgotten details to tick off the to-do list is shopping for the perfect perfume to wear on the big day. What you spritz onto your skin when you’re getting ready can be one of the most intimate choices you make that day.
Long after the big day is done, that scent will transport you right back to the first dances, speeches, walking down the aisle and first look with your bridesmaids, so it’s only right that it deserves a special moment.
To help you decide, I’ve gone straight to the experts to find out exactly what to consider when picking a perfume for your wedding.
Whether you’re drawn to soft florals, rich ouds, or crisp citrus notes, award-winning fragrance expert Thomas Dunckley, and perfumer and founder of Experimental Perfume Club, Emmanuelle Moeglin, have shared their top tips and fragrance insights for finding the scent that’s the perfect match.
When choosing a wedding day perfume, is there anything specific you should look for or avoid?
Dunckley advises against wearing something for the very first time on your wedding day. ‘Whatever fragrance you choose will end up being tied to the memories of your big day so it’s really important that you ensure you’re happy with your choice. If you’re treating yourself to something new, you should make sure you wear it a few times before your wedding day to make sure it’s the one.’
If you’re planning a summer wedding or destination nuptials in a hot country, keep this in mind, as Dunckley recommends, to avoid heavy amber or gourmand notes that could become cloying on the day.
He also suggests choosing a fragrance that complements elements of your day, such as the colour scheme or the flowers in your bouquet, especially if you’re getting married abroad.
‘Choose something that matches the destination, capturing the flowers and fruits of that particular place.’
Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum is perfect if you want a modern, fruity scent that isn’t sickly sweet, but incorporates notes of rhubarb, lychee and bergamot essence, along with rose, vanilla, white musk and cedarwood. It has Italian nuptials written all over it.
If magnolia flowers feature in your bouquet, Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs Magnolia Alba Eau de Parfum couldn’t be a better match for the fresh florals. The lemon and bergamot have a zesty fizz, while the velvety smooth magnolia blossom adds a creamy sweetness. The bottle is very bridal, too, with gold accents and an ivory cap.
If you’re looking for something truly one-of-a-kind, Experimental Perfume Club offers a Luxe Blending Experience, which Moeglin shares is popular for its personal touch ahead of your big day. With a glass of prosecco in hand, you can create a custom blend just for you in a 50ml bottle to take home. ‘You can design a scent that becomes emotionally tied to the day itself and can then be worn again on anniversaries or special occasions to bring back that memory vividly.’
What fragrance notes would suit a summer wedding versus a winter one?
For summer weddings, Moeglin is drawn to compositions that ‘have brightness but still retain long-lasting and softness, such as citrus, neroli, green notes, soft musks and clean woods.’
She adds, ‘In winter, fragrance behaves differently because cold air compresses scent. You can wear deeper textures more easily, sandalwood, amber, resins, velvety florals, because they unfold more slowly and create warmth around the body rather than projecting outward.’
In the summer months, Dunckley is also a fan of vibrant, fresh scents, with floral and citrus notes that will complement the warm weather. Creed Love In White Eau de Parfum is a popular choice for brides and a very fitting choice. It’s a beautiful blend of Italian orange zest, iris, French daffodil, magnolia and vanilla.
He loves the delicate floral notes from Chanel, describing N°5 L’Eau as ‘sparkling and clear, perfect for a modern bride’, or 1957 Les Exclusifs de CHANEL Eau de Parfum, which he says is ‘symphonic and enveloping, like a ribbon of pure silk.’
If you have a winter wedding on the cards, he recommends opting for heavier, balsamic scents with notes of vanilla, amber and frankincense. ‘Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong so wear what feels right to you. It’s your day!’
Phlur’s Vanilla Skin Eau De Parfum ticks all the boxes for a cashmere-inspired blend that would complement a cosy winter ceremony, with the additional notes of sandalwood, pink pepper and jasmine petals. It’s long-lasting on its own, and it also comes in a luxurious, hydrating matching body oil.
How to make your wedding perfume last all day
Once you’ve picked your perfume, there are a few ways to make sure it doesn’t fade throughout the day. Moeglin says where you apply your fragrance has an impact you may not have thought of: ‘Fabric holds scent extremely well, especially natural fibres, so lightly perfuming areas like the lining of a dress or veil can create a beautiful lingering trail throughout the day.’
Dunckley advises using a shower gel and body lotion that will match your scent to lock it into your skin for longer. ‘Another tip is to make a travel spray of your fragrance that you can keep close by (in your bag or with a member of the bridal/groom party) for top-ups throughout the day.’
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