Picture this: you, radiating confidence in your stunning wedding dress, a beautiful bouquet in hand and the air around you shimmering with a fragrance that’s as unique as your love story. Your wedding perfume isn’t just another accessory; it’s a potion of memories, emotions and sheer elegance bottled up just for you. From classic florals that whisper tales of love to daring oriental concoctions that exude sensuality, we’ve got the lowdown on how to choose a scent that perfectly complements your vibe.
Whether you’re a perfume connoisseur with a collection that could rival a boutique or a scent newbie looking for a spritz of guidance, this guide will have you navigating the world of wedding perfumes like a true scent-savvy goddess. So, get ready to meet your fragrant match made in heaven with our favourite wedding perfumes for 2023.
JO MALONE
From its whimsical name to its iconic Jo Malone bottle and soft floral scent, Peony & Blush Suede is the perfect wedding day spritz. Its base of suede is smooth and supple, perfectly complementing the floral, honeyed accents of freshly cut peonies. On top sit juicy notes of apple for a touch of freshness. Even better? You can get it engraved, making it the perfect perfume keepsake.
HOUBIGANT
What bride doesn’t want to channel her inner princess? That’s just one of the reasons why Houbigant’s iconic Quelques Fleurs makes the best wedding perfumes list. Worn by Princess Diana on her big day, it’s elegant and classic, just as you’d expect. With top notes of greens, bergamot and orange blossom, middle notes of rose, jasmine, tuberose and lily-of-the-valley, and base notes of sandalwood, oakmoss, amber and musk, it’s a timless floral fragrance fit for a queen.
BYREDO
Picture this: you’re wrapped up in the arms of your new Mr, moving together to your first dance song. All whilst smelling seriously good, of course. Taking that excitement, anticipation and butterflies-in-your-tummy feeling of a first dance and capturing it in a bottle, Byredo’s Slow Dance is the epitome of a romantic scent. Slightly sweet and slightly spicy, it blends smoky amber, sweet myrrh, creamy labdanum, fresh geranium, indulgent vanilla and deep patchouli to instantly make you feel carefree and young at heart as you slow dance your wedding night away.
KAYALI
Trust fragrance queen Mona Kattan to create the ultimate wedding perfumes. Working alongside hubby Hassan Elamin, the power perfume couple created a dreamy duo designed for brides and grooms on their big day, inspired by the silk gown Mona wore and the velvet suit Hassan wore on their own wedding day. “Every time I spray ‘The Wedding’ I’m instantly transported to the most special day of my life. I want everyone to experience that feeling – for these fragrances to take you to your most precious memories celebrating love,” Mona revealed. With notes of sparkling champagne, sugared musk, creamy sandalwood, freesias, jasmine and rose, it gets a big “I Do” from us.
EX NIHILO
The next best thing to covering yourself in fresh blooms, Ex Nihilo’s Fleur Narcotique packs a serious petal punch. Notes of peony, orange blossom, jasmine and petalia blend with fruity accents of peach and lychee, warm woods and a hint of musk to make for a delicate, feminine and captivating, scent. It’s little wonder Grazia’s Beauty Editor wore this on her big day, and that Hailey Bieber adopted it as her signature scent. Soft and subtle and oh-so-chic, it’s the perfect summer’s wedding day perfume.
KILIAN
With its pretty pink bottle and cutesy romantic name, Kilian’s cult-fave Love, Don’t be Shy is a bridal beauty dream. A gourmand floral packed with plush rose, juicy honeysuckle, sweet marshmallow and warm amber, it’s described as “exhilarating” and “unforgettable”. If that wasn’t convincing enough, what if told you that it also happens to be Rihanna’s signature scent? Countless A-listers describe her as the world’s best-smelling star, so it’s safe to say you won’t be disappointed. Because who doesn’t want to channel their inner RiRi on their big day?
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN
If you’re after a sexy statement scent guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, look no further than Baccarat Rouge 540. Aka the scent that blew up TikTok. A far cry from the light floral creations most brides go for it, it’s rich, decadent, sweet and seductive and “caresses the skin like an amber and woody floral whisper”. Inspired by the allure of the iconic Baccarat crystal, its ingredient list is surprisingly short, with only seven ingredients inside each bottle, including jasmine, cedar wood, saffron and amber. In the words of The Zoe Roe Show, it smells “deep and sexy and luxurious” and you may end up making out with your arm. Sorry hubby.
FRÉDÉRIC MALLE
Arguably Frédéric Malle’s most iconic fragrance, Portrait of a Lady was created by legendary perfumer Dominique Ropion and blends a unique breed of Oriental rose (a whopping 400 Turkish roses go into each 100ml bottle), frankincense, patchouli, clove, sandalwood and blackcurrant to make for a scent so rich and magnetic, it’s instantly addictive. It’s no wonder the Beckhams (Victoria, David and even Brooklyn) are fans. The perfect perfume portrait of a (bridal) lady.
ESCENTRIC MOLECULES
Thought seven ingredients in a fragrance was little? What if we told you this perfume contains just one? Yes, really. Oh, and it also doesn’t have a scent. But it is a perfume. Allow us to explain. Created by maverick perfumer Geza Schoen, Molecule 01 contains just one ingredient that blends with your natural pheromones to release a scent totally bespoke to you. This means you may not be able to smell it yourself, but anyone else around you will be totally captivated. In a nutshell, it’s a scent designed to make you smell like you, but better. And to turn people on. It is your wedding day, after all…
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.