In other words, if you’re not a floral girl don’t just go for a rose-heavy fragrance because it’s traditionally considered romantic. “Go for personal preferences over recommendations or marketing,” she adds. And don’t forget the person at the end of the aisle too, who might find a more masculine fragrance comforting, or a sexier, smokier fragrance endearing.
Alternatively, you may wish to opt for what Emma calls a ‘scent pairing’. In other words, pairing something new with something familiar. “Naturally, you should wear something that is in line with what you love so you are comfortable, yet also consider something you haven’t worn before,” she says. “Jo Malone Wild Bluebell, for example, is the perfect way to wear something blue so you may want to mist the hem of your dress or veil with this scent.”
Top tips for how to make your wedding perfume last all day
Perfume needs something to cling to, so the golden rule about layering your scent has never been more relevant than on your wedding day. “Most brides want longevity, not necessarily intensity,” Emma notes. “They want a fragrance that will be present and gently emanate throughout the day but not overpower them. Therefore, layering with a body crème is a particularly good way of wearing your fragrance.”
Where you spritz your perfume also makes a difference. “Being the warmest parts of the body, the pulse points – wrists, neck and elbows – are perfect for fragrance to be applied to if you want it to linger,” she continues.
You may even choose to add a complementary hair mist. Chanel recently added the Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume to its collection.
How to scent your wedding venue
After choosing your wedding perfume, you may want to look at how to incorporate it into your wedding venue. “See your venue as a blank canvas, waiting to be brought to life with the fragrant flicker of candlelight,” says Emma, who recommends using the same scent for clusters of candles down the aisle, across tabletops and in hurricane lamps for staircases.
“Fragrant invites set the tone, and misted menus and tablecloth hems continue the scented scheme with every movement,” she continues. “This not only helps cement the scent memory for your guests, but it will also give the illusion that the bridal couple are everywhere – which is great, as no matter how hard you try, you never get the chance to see everyone!”
The best wedding perfume services
One of the best ways to find your perfect wedding perfume is with a perfume workshop, or consultation. Keep scrolling for our picks:
Jo Malone London
Jo Malone London offer a complimentary wedding consultation, with a wedding stylist helping you choose the perfect scent for you from their extensive selection. They’ll also teach you the art of ‘Fragrance Combining’ to create something a little more unique. Bring your bridal group, enjoy a glass of bubbly and a hand massage, and come away with a beautiful bridal scent. Delicious.