How To Choose Your Perfect Wedding Day Scent

The scent you wear on your wedding day has an extra resonance, in that will always remind you of this fleeting occasion: nothing else, even photographs, has such power to transport you back to a moment in time. I wore Serge Lutens A La Nuit for mine, a jasmine perfume that felt silky on the skin and was present without ever being too heavy; to smell its sultry, gorgeous warmth now is the most visceral reminder of a precious day.

If you already have a signature scent that you always wear, then all well and good – as with your hair and make-up, you want to be yourself on your wedding day, so stick with what you know and love. Another option is to save something specially – one friend who works in the beauty business adores Les Beiges from Chanel’s Exclusifs line so much she won’t wear it, saving it only for the most momentous occasions.

But it’s lovely to find something new and exciting, too. Amidst the wedding planning, make some time for a consultation to find a fresh favourite that will always remind you of this time in your life. My colleague Síomha says a friend of hers had a great experience at Jo Malone London with her partner, choosing scents for them both to wear; English Pear & Freesia Cologne is a pretty option. I’d recommend the Frederic Malle counter at Brown Thomas Dundrum, where consultants will be able to talk you through the options – your only difficulty will be choosing just one, from beautiful-on-everyone Portrait of a Lady by Dominique Ropion for Frederic Malle, to icily sophisticated Iris Poudre (also available as a hair mist, as is Lipstick Rose). Malle scents are both striking and long-lasting, so ideal for all day. In fact, Brown Thomas offer Bridal Beauty Consultations with instore experts to take you through make-up to scent, so it’s a good one-stop shop.

I’d also recommend heading to Parfumarija in Dublin’s Westbury Mall to get some expert advice from Marija and her team – they are a mine of information about scents, and you can spend plenty of time there making exciting discoveries.

Stories Parfums, founded by Northern Irish entrepreneur Tonya Kidd-Beggs, are available at Brown Thomas (€180). Book an hour’s private scent discovery masterclass with Kidd-Beggs (€29.95). There are tiny trial samples (€5.95) and 15ml travel-sized perfumes (€32.95) available online at www.storiesparfums.com.

If it was my wedding again now, I’d choose Cloon Keen’s Roisin Dubh (and see my post on other exquisite CK options through this link), Chanel Coromandel or Sycomore, or Portrait of a Lady. All perfumes that have a sense of occasion and an immediate and absolute beauty, for me.

What scent did you wear for your wedding? We’d love to know – please email us on digital@thegloss.ie.

SOME STUNNING WEDDING SCENTS:

Italian style I’m sad the lovely Santa Maria Novella store in Westbury Mall is no longer open, but you can find their beautiful fragrances online at eu.smnovella.com – consider something like Rosa Novella (there’s a fabulous Patchouli aftershave lotion for guys, too).

Uplifting lavender One of our GLOSSiest reader panel, Sheila, adores perfume and particularly Penhaligon’s; she chose Lavandula as her wedding perfume, a unisex aromatic with lots of bright and uplifting herbal notes. www.penhaligons.com

Cool couple If you like something light yet intriguing, Prada’s Infusion d’Iris eau de parfum is available at The Loop (€115, www.theloop.ie): it’s cool, chic and light enough not to compete with your bouquet. Think pale and interesting. It’s a good one for bridesmaids or weddings guests too, as it’s not overpowering.

Good for guys For something classy, bright and breezy – think lemon, juniper, mineral and woody notes – how about the newest scent from Hermes, Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée. It may be designed with men in mind, but it’s wearable by everyone. A great unpredictable choice with a modern twist. €126 (refillable).

Take two Consider wearing something lighter in the day and going richer for the evening: Ormonde Jayne’s Vanille Iris, with white flowers and Tahitian vanilla, say, with richer, patchouli and incense-based Orris Noir for nighttime. www.ormondejayne.com

Read the room You might also want to think about scenting the room for your wedding: the dream would be Cire Trudon’s elegant diffusers or room sprays (they look as great as they smell). Choose from Reggio (Calabrian citrus) and Maduraï, a luxurious blend of Indian jasmine and ylang-ylang. Belles Matières diffuser, €175; www.trudon.com. Also available at www.envoyofbelfast.com, €190.

Custom candles I love the idea of personalised candles – check out D8 Design for soy candles handmade in Dublin that can be customised with your names and wedding date on, from €9. www.d8designco.com 

Rose-tinted I love this bottle, and it’s a pleasant rose eau de parfum with a bit of body. Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose, from €59.