The sense of smell might be one of the most underrated of our five senses, but it is indisputably the most powerful where it comes to stirring memories. One waft of the fragrance you wear on your wedding day will plunge you into a reverie of sweet reminiscence in years to come – you might see your beloved's face as your glide down the aisle, taste the creamy bubbles of champagne at your lips, or feel their arms around you as you shimmy across the dance floor.
The whole issue of fragrance goes far beyond your personal choice of perfume, however. The wedding itself can wear a fragrance. Scent brings a whole new dimension to your wedding that can enhance the theme and style of your day, as well as further increase the personalisation of the celebration.
“When you plan your wedding, consider all the senses, including the textures, the visual impact, the background music and sounds to relax or excite your guests, and, of course, the taste,” recommends Jessica Kearney from Ardour & Bow Weddings & Events (ardourandbow.co.uk). “As an extension of this, you should consider what scent you would like to associate with your wedding. Do you want a ceremony filled with the scent of jasmine or the sight of flickering candles with your favourite aroma?”
St Eval Candle Company
Signature scent
First things first, make your fragrance personal. “One of my favourite parfumiers, Jo Malone, offers the opportunity to have an in-store bespoke consultation to establish your signature scent,” says Jessica. “Every time you use your wedding perfume after your wedding, you'll find yourself transported back to your special day.”
Your ceremony
So often considered the highlight of the day, think carefully about how you’ll scent your ceremony – and how those scents will stir cherished memories of your vows for years to come. “Do you want to walk down the aisle in a room filled with your favourite scented candle? Add them to a collection of candles in tall cylinders to create a beautiful backdrop,” advises Jessica. “Make sure you pick a scent that matches your personality and complements what your partner is also wearing in terms of their perfume.”
Floral scents
For a more subtle scent than that of candles or perfumes, choose a scented floral arrangement. “This could range from aromatic herbs with a sprig of rosemary in your bouquet to filling your reception or ceremony with swags of jasmine,” says Jessica. “Ask your florist what highly scented flowers are in season at the time of your wedding. Colourful sweet peas are one of my personal favourites, which not only look beautiful but smell incredible.”
Your venue
A subtly scented diffuser can provide a good alternative to candles in venues that don’t allow flames, creating a lovely background ambience. “You could place these at the entrance as guests arrive as well as other areas they might visit, including bathrooms and bedrooms if you're providing overnight accommodation,” suggests Jessica. “Think about whether you would like different scents as the day progresses, with subtler notes during the wedding breakfast and stronger scents during the party.”
Scentsation
Favours
Who doesn’t love a luxurious scented keepsake? “Indulge your guests with luxury favours by gifting them a small candle of your choice or bottle of your favourite perfume, or go for the green-fingered approach and gift seeds that they can plant and will grow into a scented rose.”
Invitations
The scent – and immersive guest experience – can be there from the very beginning of your wedding with the arrival of your invitation. “Why not send scented invitations either with aromatic paper or spritz your invitation with your favourite perfume?” suggests Jessica.
Cocktails
Don’t overlook the power of fragrance on your drinks menu. “An alternative to scented candles is to add scent to your cocktails,” says Jessica. “You could serve a particularly floral drink with rose essence included, or add different garnishes to your gin and tonics such as lavender.”
St Eval Candle Company
PERFUME POINTERS
Fabulous tips for finessing your bridal fragrance…
Choose your bridal fragrance before your bouquet. You can then coordinate it with the scent of your flowers for extra impact. Perfume should enhance the scent of your flowers not mask it.
When sampling a fragrance, ensure you spray it onto your skin and give the scent time to develop before you sniff.
Wear the same perfume your mother or grandmother wore on her wedding day for a nostalgic and personal gesture – and a novel twist on your 'something borrowed'.
Apply your fragrance in layers. Start with the scented body wash, slap on the scented moisturiser and finish with a spritz of the perfume on your primary pulse points (behind your ears and inner wrists) and your secondary pulse points (behind your knees and in the crook of your elbow).
Give your fragrance extra staying power by spraying a fine mist onto your underwear, the lining of your dress and your veil. That way, you'll be treating your guests to a heavenly waft every time you swish by.
Take a bottle of your fragrance that fits into your handbags for touch-ups if necessary.
Know when to stop. You don't want your beau’s nostrils to be so overwhelmed that they don’t fully appreciate the glorious sight of you.
SMELL SCENTSATIONAL
Let these fragrances spoil your senses, whether they’re for you, your bridesmaids or favours for your guests…
Luna by Penhaligon’s
From the elegant bottle to the floral notes of soft rose and jasmine and a twist of citrus, Luna is a dream in a bottle: delicate, airy and uplifting. What’s more, luxe perfumery Penhaligon’s (incidentally established by Cornishman William Penhaligon back in 1870) is renowned for the longevity of its fragrances, so this heavenly scent is sure to last you from the preparations through to the after-party.
White Rose & Lemon Leaves by Jo Loves
Created by the woman behind some of the world’s most coveted fragrances, Jo Malone, Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves is a gorgeous choice for modern brides thanks to its fresh and elegant blend of delicate white Norma Jean roses, crushed lemon leaves and soft cedarwood.
Jo Malone
A perennial bridal favourite, we love Peony & Blush Suede, where the scent of peonies meets notes of red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower. Mingling with sensual soft, blush suede, it promises to bring a luxurious aura to your bridal ensemble. Alternatively (or as well as your bridal perfume), say thank you to your nearest and dearest with a fragrant delight from Jo Malone. Gift your bridesmaids and mums with their favourite scent or candle, or build a bespoke gift set of colognes, body crèmes, candles and bath oils tailored to the recipient’s taste.
St Eval Candle Company
Gift your dearest ones the unmistakable scent of Cornwall with the handcrafted creations by St Eval Candle Company. With sustainability at the heart of its ethos, the scents celebrate the landscape and spirit of the county through the sublime likes of Sea Mist, Bluebell Wood, Wild Gorse, and Samphire and Sage.
Rigaud Paris
From the iconic French perfumers who invented the scented candle, Rigaud Paris has created a heavenly selection of scents wrapped up in a sleek and sophisticated design – perfect for scenting your day or gifting as a covetable Parisian gift for your guests or bridal party. We love Gardénia, a fresh floral fusion of tropical blooms and Provençal rose.
Scentsation Handmade
Cornwall-based Scentsation Handmade crafts a collection of divinely scented candles and wax melts from an exclusive house blend of parasoy wax and the finest fragrance oils – making a gorgeous W-day keepsake. Available in a range of scents from Sea Spray to Cornish Floral Rush, the same luscious fragrance oil can scent your wedding via their diffusers. Choose the specially designed ‘Wedding Day’ fragrance for a sophisticated blend of florals and subtle fruits with notes of citrus, rose and jasmine, and let the citrus, coconut and vanilla cream delights of ‘Honeymoon’ whisk your senses to tropical shores.
words Rebecca Matthews
main image Istock DmitriyTitov
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