Many women feel naked without their perfume, and so it is essential that on your wedding day, you choose a scent that you love and feel completely comfortable wearing. Perfume itself is vital for a wedding; it’s not entirely enough for a bride to look good – she has to smell sensational too! You will be interacting with a lot of people, and doing a lot of moving about, and so to complement your look, choosing the perfect perfume is highly recommended. So read on to discover the best perfumes available for your upcoming wedding, divided into categories based on the theme and effect you want to have for your big day!
Fresh and natural scents
Perfumes that will make you feel light enough to fly…
DKNY’s Be Delicious apple fragrance is one of our absolute favourites here at Zankyou, but it is far too casual for a wedding. Instead, we would recommend the Cashmere Mist perfume from the brand – with hints of bergamot, Sandalwood, cedarwood and lily of the valley, it is neither overpowering nor too heady, and will complement your classical or bohemian bridal look perfectly.
Inspired by their founder and creator Coco Chanel, the Gabrielle perfume from this world-renowned fashion house is the equivalent of a light breeze on a summer day. Infused with jasmine, orange blossom and ylang-ylang, this scent is delicate but not sweet – instead, it has a more neutral palette that is crisp and fresh. If you are not a fan of dousing yourself in perfume, then this the scent for you.
Called a “watery, floral scent”, Splash Rain is the perfect scent for a Destination Wedding by the ocean. Light and fresh, this perfume is reminiscent of summer rain, with notes of strawberry and cypress to emphasise the connection to nature. The low alcohol content allows for a more subtle scent, but you will have to apply more than one on your wedding day for the full effect.
Floral-inspired essences
For a touch of femininity and nature…
A new fragrance from Givenchy, the Rose Ardente perfume is also one of the more exclusive options, coming with a £140 price tag. However, if you are looking for a luxurious and very durable perfume for the most romantic of wedding days, then this is it: inspired by, and drawing elements from the rose, there could be nothing more appropriate for a romantic bride to wear.
Diorissimo has been in production since 1956, and was designed as a step away from the overly-sweet fragrances of the 50s towards a lighter, more floral smell scent. This perfume is the perfect blend of several floral tones: lily of the vallery (Christian Dior’s favourite flower), jasmine, amaryllis and boronia. You won’t need to worry about spending hours choosing the perfect flowers when you wear this perfume – you’ll smell better than your bouquet!
Romance has been a staple part of the Ralph Lauren perfumery range for two decades, and is an absolute must for the young, modern bride. With opening flourishes of ginger, lemon, freesia and chamomile, it is designed for the most gentle of palettes, and has a sweet touch for an added dash of femininity. Floral and sweet, this is the perfect choice for an outdoor wedding.
Bold perfumes
Sensual, sexy and bursting with personality for the bride who wants to make a statement…
An incredibly modern scent, Guerlain’s Mitsouko perfume is a mix of chypre and peaches, creating a strong scent that is reminiscent of days spent exploring the forests in the summertime as the sun sets overhead. If you are an adventurous bride, but with a feminine streak, then this is the perfume for you. There is a touch of spice, but the overall effect is very smooth.
Dior’s second entry on this list is its Hypnotic Poison perfume, a brazen and brash scent for only the boldest of brides to wear on their big day. With olefactory notes of bitter almond (for a bit of kick!), Italian jasmine, and vanilla to create a sweet/spicy base, this perfume creates a compelling and complex scent when mixed with the skin.
Described by some reviewers as a unisex perfume, and perfect for the more adrogynous woman, Black Orchid is a bold choice for a wedding – but we love it! Rich, dark, and with a hint of spice, this scent is ultimately very glamorous, and will create a heady sensation in anyone who comes close enough. Set the scene for your wedding night with this deep perfume.
The classics
The perfumes that we have loved time and time again…
Calvin Klein is more famous for its clothing than its beauty products, but its Euphoria perfume has graced the necks and wrists of women for decades – and probably will for many years into the future. Provocative, sensual and very sexy, Euphoria’s base notes are created by orchids, creating the alluring scent that we know and love. This is one of the most romantic perfumes out there – perfect for a wedding!
Estée Lauder is one of the most well-renowned beauty brands in the world, and its signature perfume, Estée is the perfect choice for your big day. Introducing warmth through the jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang tones – making a heavier floral scent – Estée will complement any bride, but particularly those getting married outdoors who need a more durable perfume.
And of course, what kind of a perfume recommendation list would this be without Chanel No. 5? The favourite scent of such superstars as Marilyn Monroe, Céline Dion and Catherine Denueve, No. 5 is characterised by its chypre scent – deep, earthy tones, with the smallest hint of citrus as well. However, the fragrance flourishes in its base notes, revealing notes of Sandalwood and vanilla. This perfume is the world’s famous for a reason – so stand out on your wedding day!
The affordable options
For brides who want something beautiful on a budget…
The only time that we come across Zara’s perfumes is when we are waiting in the queue to pay, but they are surprisingly lovely, especially when we consider the price tag of a mere £10! You will have to top up during the day – and their scents may not be as powerful as the perfumes already mentioned – but if you just want to try something different for your wedding without burning a hole in your pocket, this is definitely the place to start.
Clinique is one of the best beauty brands in the UK, and so it stands to reason that their perfume would be equally fabulous. And coming in at under £40, it is also one of the most affordable perfumes of consistently high quality that you will find in the shops. This scent is fruity and fun, exuding summer with its hints of orange, plum and bergamot.
And we round off this article with a scent from one of our favourite organisations, the Body Shop. A staple of the British high street, we have loved the Body Shop for decades – its commitment to fighting animal testing, its products that make our skin glow, and more than anything, for just how good everything smells (take that Lush!). Their signature scent, White Musk, is light but sensual, with a gentle mix of rose, jasmine and amber.
Of course, one of the options that you have for your wedding day is to wear your normal perfume – one that you have clearly selected for a reason, and one that you know you like. However, bear in mind that this is your wedding day, so it is worth going all out – including on your fragrance! So head into town and get spraying until you find the perfume that is perfect for your big day!
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy:
Choosing Your Wedding Makeup: the Absolute Essentials and the Best Brands
How to Choose the Perfect Scent For Your Wedding Day in 5 Steps
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