HEAVEN SCENT

It’s not just about how your wedding looks – evoke your other senses too, and embrace a fragrance that sets the sweet tone of your day

words Rebecca Matthews

The sense of smell might be one of the most underrated of our five senses, but it is indisputably the most powerful when 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 you glide down the aisle, taste the 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?”

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 sashay by. Take a bottle of your fragrance that fits into your bag 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!

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 candles? 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.”

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 they can plant that will grow into a scented rose or other flower.”

Invitations

The scent – and immersive guest experience – can be there from the very beginning of your wedding journey, 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, such as rosemary or lavender, to gin and tonics.”

SMELL SCENTSATIONAL

Let these fragrances spoil your senses, whether they’re for you, your bridesmaids or your guests

Luna by Penhaligon’s

From the elegant bottle to the floral notes of soft rose and jasmine with a twist of citrus, Luna is a fragrant dream: delicate, airy and uplifting. What’s more, luxe perfumery Penhaligon’s 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. penhaligons.com

Rose Petal 25 by Jo Loves

Created by the woman behind some of the world’s most coveted fragrances, Jo Malone, Rose Petal 25 is the most beautiful celebration of the queen of flowers. A gorgeous choice for modern brides, its blissful blend of rose absolute, rose de mai and ambrette is smooth, soothing and oh-so elegant. joloves.com

The Recycled Candle Company

Scent your day with the handcrafted creations by The Recycled Candle Company in Exeter. With sustainability at the heart of their ethos, the candles are made from recycled candles and come in a captivating range of scents: think Blonde Tobacco & Honey, Bitter Orange & Ylang Ylang and Rose & Oud. Their candle tins also make perfect wedding favours. therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk

Candles by Jo Loves

Bring the stunning scents from Jo Loves to your tabletops with their collection of luxury candles, which also make covetable bridal party gifts. Available in a heady choice of scents, we love the uplifting citrus notes of Pomelo and the fresh, floral romance of White Rose & Lemon Leaves. You might even choose to go bespoke with personalised W-day labels. joloves.com

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 a stylish Parisian gift for your guests or bridal party. We love Gardénia, a fresh floral fusion of tropical blooms and Provençal rose. rigaud-paris.com